The Ballot Brief
Paulding County, Georgia

Georgia Senate District 30

Bearden and Cooper are on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Names follow official Paulding County election filings.

About this race

Timothy J. Bearden (Republican), Wanda Cooper (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Timothy J. Bearden is the sitting member, per the Secretary of State's certified list. Party nominees were chosen at the May 19 primary and June 16 runoff (majority rule); independents qualified by petition. The field is the Secretary of State's certified November 2026 candidate list (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.

What this office does

State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.

This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. The sitting officeholder, Timothy J. Bearden, is on the ballot.

We use AI to research and write election information. Errors are possible. Verify important details with official sources.

Georgia › Paulding County › Georgia Senate District 30

Timothy J. Bearden

Timothy J. Bearden

RepublicanIncumbent

Top priorities

From the campaign site

  • More jobs and lower taxes
  • Stand with law enforcement
  • Defend conservative values
Biography

Bearden began a law enforcement career with the Villa Rica Police Department and rose to sergeant in the Douglasville Police Department's motorcycle division, per the campaign site. The site says Bearden previously represented parts of Carroll and Douglas counties in the Georgia House, served as Executive Director of the Georgia Public Safety Training Center under Governor Nathan Deal, and was Deputy Chief of Staff to House Speaker David Ralston, per the campaign site. The site describes Bearden as the State Senator for the district and a West Georgia resident for more than 50 years, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)
Wanda Cooper

Wanda Cooper

Democratic

Top priorities

From the campaign site

  • Pursue HOA reform and accountability
  • Oppose large-scale data center development through zoning protections
  • Address affordable housing and predatory rental practices
Biography

Cooper describes herself on the campaign site as a community leader rather than a career politician, with a background organizing residents across Douglas, Carroll, Paulding and Haralson counties since 2020, per the campaign site. She is running for Georgia Senate District 30, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)
Next on your ballotGeorgia Senate District 31

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Voting info and more

Voting info and more
Questions about this race

Who is running for Georgia Senate District 30 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for Georgia Senate District 30, headed to a November 3, 2026 runoff: Timothy J. Bearden and Wanda Cooper. Candidate information follows official Paulding County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Georgia Senate District 30 election in Georgia?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Georgia are on the Georgia election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Paulding County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Paulding County and state election office filings, last verified October 16, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Georgia election office, or see the full Paulding County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Paulding County ballot

14 tracked races in Paulding County, Georgia. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot
Georgia House District 16Georgia House District 17Georgia House District 18See all 14 Paulding County races
Candidate profiles
Timothy J. Bearden, full profileWanda Cooper, full profileOfficial Georgia election office