2025 Public Service Commission Election
Image: Georgia State Capitol, Atlanta (West view). Photo by DXR, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
The Georgia Public Service Commission (“PSC”) is one of the state’s most impactful regulatory agencies, wielding significant power over the price we pay for energy production, infrastructure development, and environmental policy.
Why These Elections Matter
The 2025 Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) elections are especially important because voters have not had the opportunity to hold commissioners accountable at the ballot box for nearly five years, due to a combination of court battles and legislative delays. Since 2020, three of the five Republican commissioners have continued to serve beyond their original terms, making decisions on crucial issues like electricity and gas rates without facing public approval or disapproval. This lack of elections has been described by advocates and plaintiffs in the related lawsuits as “undemocratic,” since it allowed commissioners to approve multiple rate hikes—six for Georgia Power customers in recent years—without voter input.
In recent years, the Republican-controlled Public Service Commission has continued to approve utility rate increases—raising the cost of living for millions of Georgians. Since 2023 alone, average monthly Georgia Power bills have increased by more than $40/month due to decisions made by the PSC. These hikes often come with limited public input and minimal transparency, disproportionately impacting working-class families, seniors, and rural communities throughout the state.
That’s why these elections matter. Electing Democratic commissioners would bring new voices to the table — voices calling for greater consumer protections, clean energy investments, and stronger accountability from Georgia’s utility companies. For voters who are concerned about energy affordability, climate change, or fair representation, showing up in 2025 isn’t just important — it’s essential.
Democratic Candidates
There are currently four Democratic candidates running in the PSC District 3 primary. The winner will advance to the general election as the Democratic nominee. In District 2, Dr. Alicia Johnson is the only declared Democratic candidate and is expected to appear on the November ballot as the party’s nominee. Although commissioners must live in the district they represent, Georgia’s PSC elections are held statewide — meaning all voters, regardless of where in Georgia they live, can vote in each race.
Dr. Alicia Johnson (District 2)
Dr. Alicia M. Johnson is a transformational leader in human services and community development, with nearly 30 years of experience driving change that uplifts families and strengthens communities. A Savannah native, Alicia has helped thousands secure employment, expanded access to healthcare, and created economic opportunities for underserved Georgians. A mother, wife, and grandmother, Alicia is also a Georgia Power customer — something no current commissioner can say. She knows firsthand what rising utility bills mean for real families, and she’s running to bring your voice to the PSC.
Daniel Blackman (District 3)
Daniel Blackman is a veteran of Georgia politics and environmental advocacy, having previously run for the PSC in 2014 and 2020. After his 2020 campaign, Blackman was appointed by President Joe Biden as the Southeast regional administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), where he focused on environmental justice and clean energy initiatives.
Peter Hubbard (District 3)
Peter Hubbard is a clean energy advocate, renewable energy project developer, and founder of the Georgia Center for Energy Solutions (GCES), a nonprofit dedicated to transitioning Georgia to a 100% clean energy future. He has over 13 years of experience in U.S. and global energy markets, including roles as a Solar Development Manager at Ecoplexus and as a consultant for major energy management firms. Hubbard holds two bachelor’s degrees in physics and mathematics, a B.A. in French from the University of Memphis, and a master’s degree in international affairs with concentrations in economics and energy policy from Johns Hopkins University.
Robert L. Jones (District 3)
Robert L. Jones holds a bachelor’s degree in natural resource economics from the University of California, Berkeley, and a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Michigan. He has extensive experience in both the technology and utility sectors. He has served as vice president of sales for Veeam Software, worked as a technology consultant at Acrylic Management LLC, and held executive roles at Microsoft and Telecom Utility. He was also a senior analyst at the California Public Utilities Commission.
Keisha Waites (District 3)
Keisha Waites is a longtime public servant and Atlanta native with a career spanning over two decades in Georgia politics and public administration, having served previously as both a Representative in the Georgia General Assembly and as an Atlanta City Council Member. She holds a degree in political science from Atlanta Metropolitan State College and has completed advanced leadership programs, including Harvard Kennedy School’s Senior Executives in State and Local Government program as a David Bohnett LGBTQ Victory Institute Leadership Fellow.