Nabilah Parkes holds the lead in the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor of Georgia according to a recent AJC poll. The May 19 primary gives voters their first chance to decide whether the former state senator can become the first Muslim elected to statewide office in the state.
Parkes Switches Races to Strengthen Her Bid
Parkes resigned her seat in the Georgia Senate representing District 7 in March 2026. She made the move to focus full time on the lieutenant governor campaign after switching her candidacy from insurance commissioner earlier that month.
The change came after she had already begun raising her profile in the insurance commissioner race. By stepping aside from the Senate and redirecting her efforts, Parkes cleared the way for a direct challenge in the open lieutenant governor contest created by term limits on higher offices.
High-Profile Endorsements Bolster Her Campaign
District Attorney Fani Willis and Congressman Hank Johnson have both endorsed Parkes. Their support appears on her official campaign site and signals backing from key figures in Georgia Democratic circles.
Willis and Johnson bring name recognition and organizational reach that can help turn out voters in the Atlanta metro area and other Democratic strongholds. Parkes has highlighted these endorsements as evidence that her message resonates with party leaders ahead of the primary.
