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NGA CAN's Progressive Picks: Forsyth County on May 19, 2026
- May 16
- 9 min read
About These Voter Guides
NGA CAN creates voter guides to help our community make informed progressive choices in Georgia's elections. Our diverse membership includes progressives across the full spectrum of values, ages, backgrounds, and priorities. This guide reflects our shared commitment to equity, justice, and accountability.
What you should know about these picks: NGA CAN evaluates candidates based on progressive values: support for economic fairness, voting rights, reproductive freedom, civil rights, public education, and accountable government. We acknowledge that no candidate is perfect. We also know that in many races, multiple strong candidates exist. These guides help you understand why we made our choices so you can vote according to your values.
How to use this guide: Read about the races that affect you. Check your sample ballot at https://mvp.sos.ga.gov to see which races and candidates appear on your specific ballot.
Early voting runs April 27 through May 15, 2026. Election Day is Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 7 AM to 7 PM. Find your polling place at https://mvp.sos.ga.gov.
Statewide Races
For NGA CAN's picks in statewide races (Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Agriculture Commissioner, Insurance Commissioner, State School Superintendent, Lieutenant Governor, U.S. Senate, Georgia Supreme Court, and Public Service Commission), see:
State Senate District 27
Jessica Roper (D, uncontested in Democratic primary) is the Democratic nominee.
Vote for Jessica Roper on May 19.
Jessica Roper is a mental health therapist with deep roots in Forsyth County. She brings expertise in behavioral health, trauma-informed care, and community mental health systems. Her focus on accessible mental health services aligns with progressive values around healthcare equity and the recognition that mental wellness is fundamental to community health.
State House District 11
Ryan Fountain (D, uncontested in Democratic primary) is the Democratic nominee. He will face Republican incumbent Rick Jasperse in November.
Vote for Ryan Fountain on May 19.
Ryan Fountain is an ATM technician and working-class advocate running for fresh representation and accountability. At age 29, he brings a worker's perspective grounded in real economic struggle, having worked through trial and fire to survive in an economy that has not been kind to working families. His platform prioritizes public education funding for students, healthcare affordability for working families, and bringing accountability to a district represented by the same Republican since 2010. Fountain emphasizes that genuine representation requires real engagement with constituents and responsiveness to their concerns—not partisan games or special interests.
State House District 24
Maureen Gault (D, uncontested in Democratic primary) is the Democratic nominee. She will face a Republican opponent in November.
Vote for Maureen Gault on May 19.
Maureen Gault is an accountant with professional expertise in financial management and fiscal responsibility. She is running to bring practical, values-driven leadership to district representation.
State House District 25 (Democratic Primary)
Two strong progressive Democrats competing: Elaine Padgett and Metin Vargonen.
Both candidates bring legitimate progressive credentials and policy commitments addressing healthcare, education, and economic fairness.
Elaine Padgett is a registered nurse with over 30 years of healthcare experience, including work across hospitals, managed care, health insurance, and the private sector. She holds an MBA from Kennesaw State University and is a co-founder and CFO of two software and technology companies. She has served on the Forsyth Community Clinic board and the Forsyth County Democratic Committee. In 2022, she ran for Forsyth County Schools Board of Education (District 5), bringing healthcare and fiscal expertise to education policy conversations. Her platform prioritizes public education funding, reproductive rights, healthcare access, safe gun storage laws, and opposition to corporate disinvestment from public schools.
Metin Vargonen is an accomplished product manager with over 15 years of experience in product development and strategy, most recently in energy storage systems and battery innovation. He brings engineering, R&D, and commercial expertise with a track record of managing complex projects and delivering cost reductions and process improvements. He served as a Forsyth County poll worker in 2020 and 2022, showing commitment to election integrity. His platform emphasizes moving Georgia forward with focus on quality of life and addressing challenges families face.
Two solid progressive choices:
Both candidates would advance progressive priorities in the legislature. Padgett brings three decades of healthcare expertise and demonstrated fiscal acumen, with prior engagement in local civic institutions showing sustained commitment to community problem-solving. Her background in healthcare systems positions her to be particularly effective on healthcare access and education funding. Vargonen brings innovation, process improvement, and fresh problem-solving perspectives, with strong commitment to election integrity and quality of life issues.
If you prioritize deep healthcare expertise and education funding advocacy, Padgett's background is the stronger fit. If you prioritize business innovation, process improvement, and fresh perspectives on governance, Vargonen's background is worth your vote's consideration. Either candidate would serve District 25 as a genuine progressive voice.
State House District 26
Meredith Greene (D, uncontested in Democratic primary) is the Democratic nominee. She will face a Republican opponent in November.
Vote for Meredith Greene on May 19.
Meredith Greene grew up in Forsyth County and is a disability advocate and health insurance advocate. She is a mother and animal rescue foster mom. She is running for GA State House because she cares deeply about her community and its future.
State House District 28
Mateo Sanabria (D, uncontested in Democratic primary) is the Democratic nominee. He will face a Republican opponent in November.
Vote for Mateo Sanabria on May 19.
Mateo Sanabria is a lifelong Cumming resident who has spent 23 years watching his community grow and evolve. Coming of age in the digital era, he brings a fresh perspective on challenges facing the next generation: economic inequality and emerging technology. With hands-on experience in programming and machine learning, Mateo focuses on data-driven policy, protecting digital privacy, and preparing Georgia for the technological future. He is running to bring energy, independence, and forward-thinking leadership to serve his community and bring listening back to politics.
State House District 100
Jennifer Ambler (D, uncontested in Democratic primary) is the Democratic nominee. She will face Republican opponents in November.
Vote for Jennifer Ambler on May 19.
Jennifer Ambler moved to Forsyth County in 2020. Originally from Florida, she earned a BA in Political Science and Economics from the University of Florida and taught high school math in Philadelphia through Teach For America before launching a tax preparation business and working in musical theater in New York City. She is active in local politics and a member of the Forsyth Democrats Executive Board. Jennifer advocates for reproductive rights, Medicaid expansion, and stronger voting protections to ensure opportunity and fair representation for all Georgians.
State Senate District 48 (Democratic Primary)
Two strong progressives competing to challenge Republican incumbent Shawn Still: Nathan Hombroek and Laura Murvartian.
Nathan Hombroek is a Georgia Tech graduate with degrees in Applied Physics and Materials Science and Engineering, plus an MBA. He works in AI consulting as a technology executive, bringing expertise in emerging technology policy and digital innovation. His campaign prioritizes strengthening digital infrastructure, supporting ethical technology policy, and expanding workforce opportunities.
Laura Murvartian moved from Mexico to the United States at age eight with her immigrant family. She built a career as a business executive, small business owner, and nonprofit leader. Her platform emphasizes expanding access to healthcare, protecting democracy, strengthening Georgia's economy for working families, ensuring every child has access to strong schools, and protecting children from gun violence.
Two solid progressive choices:
Both candidates would represent District 48 with genuine progressive commitment. Hombroek brings technology expertise and focus on digital infrastructure and AI policy in an increasingly tech-driven economy. Murvartian brings executive experience, immigrant background perspective, and emphasis on healthcare expansion, economic opportunity for working families, gun safety, and education.
If you prioritize digital innovation and technology policy expertise, Hombroek's background is the stronger fit. If you prioritize healthcare expansion, working family economic support, and gun safety, Murvartian's focus deserves your vote. Either candidate would advance progressive values against Republican incumbent Shawn Still.
Forsyth County Commission District 1
Vincent Wright (D, uncontested in Democratic primary) is the Democratic nominee.
Vote for Vincent Wright on May 19.
Vincent Wright is a retired U.S. Air Force veteran who served 28 years in the military and later worked 12 years as a government contractor at the Pentagon. An Information Technology (IT) Program Manager with an MBA in IT Management and master's degrees in Cyber Security, he led teams delivering secure technology solutions for national defense. A Deacon at Cross Church Atlanta and a dedicated family man, Vincent is running for County Commission to promote transparency, accountability, responsible spending, and reliable county services for the community.
Forsyth County Commission District 3
Shuchita Patel (D, uncontested in Democratic primary) is the Democratic nominee.
Vote for Shuchita Patel on May 19.
Shuchita Patel moved to Alpharetta in 1993 and has called North Georgia home for more than three decades. The daughter of immigrants and a Georgia State University graduate, she built a career in finance focused on budgeting, oversight, and long-term planning. She and her husband are raising their children in Forsyth County and are deeply invested in the community. Shuchita is running for County Commissioner to provide thoughtful leadership, responsible budgeting, and transparent decision-making as Forsyth County grows.
Forsyth County Schools Board of Education District 1
John V. Holder III (D, uncontested in Democratic primary) is the Democratic nominee.
Vote for John V. Holder III on May 19.
John Holder is an ICU nurse, father of six, and community advocate in Forsyth County. With years of experience making calm, fact-based decisions in high-pressure situations, he is committed to putting students and teachers first. He is running for the Forsyth County Board of Education to support strong academics, value and retain great teachers, keep schools safe and supportive, strengthen partnerships with parents, and ensure responsible planning that keeps resources focused where they matter most: our classrooms.
Forsyth County Schools Board of Education District 5
Vishal Srivastava (D, uncontested in Democratic primary) is the Democratic nominee.
Vote for Vishal Srivastava on May 19.
Vishal Srivastava is a longtime Forsyth County resident and a 25-year veteran in Data and AI. He is focused on protecting Forsyth's academic excellence while managing rapid district growth through smart, transparent budgeting and data-driven leadership. Vishal supports competitive pay for teachers, strong parent partnerships, and preparing students for the future with safe schools, strong STEM programs, and career pathways. His campaign is built on a simple promise: students first, parents partnered, teachers supported, and taxpayers respected.
U.S. House District 7 (Democratic Primary)
Four Democrats competing to challenge Republican incumbent Rich McCormick. District 7 covers parts of Forsyth, Fulton, Cherokee, Hall, Dawson, and Lumpkin counties.
NGA CAN's Progressive Pick: Jayson Toweh
Jayson Toweh is an environmental health scientist and PhD candidate at Stanford University's Doerr School of Sustainability, where he researches how severe weather and power outages impact families and local economies. He is a member of United Electrical Workers Union Local 1043. His platform prioritizes public health, veterans services and access to care, environmental quality, and building community resilience. Toweh brings scientific expertise in environmental justice and sustainability, combined with direct labor union participation and public health focus.
Other candidates:
Tony Kozycki is a Navy combat veteran and attorney who served as a naval aviator on three deployments. His campaign focuses on lowering cost of living for working families, restoring trust and accountability in democracy, and veterans' issues and human rights (particularly due process protections for noncitizen veterans). He brings military service experience and legal expertise.
Case Norton is a filmmaker and union camera technician emphasizing working-class perspective. He focuses on labor rights, economic issues, and bringing a direct worker's voice to Congress.
Larry Long is a retired EPA mediator with 20+ years of experience in environmental policy and regulatory programs. His core issues are healthcare, social security, veterans' rights, and affordability. He describes himself as a moderate.
Why Toweh: Among this field, Toweh combines the strongest progressive credentials: scientific expertise in environmental justice and sustainability, direct union participation, explicit focus on public health as a progressive priority, and commitment to building community resilience and access to care. While Long has environmental experience and Kozycki brings human rights focus, and Norton brings direct labor representation, Toweh's combination of environmental justice science + public health + sustainability expertise + union membership represents the most comprehensive progressive platform.
About These Voter Guides
NGA CAN creates voter guides to help our community make informed progressive choices. We acknowledge that no candidate is perfect and that voters may prioritize different issues. These guides reflect our organizational values and research into candidates' stated positions and records.
Voting information:
Early voting: April 27 through May 15, 2026
Election Day: Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 7 AM to 7 PM
Check your sample ballot: https://mvp.sos.ga.gov
Primary runoff (if needed): June 16, 2026
General election: November 3, 2026
About NGA CAN: NGA CAN is a volunteer-led progressive civic organization with thousands of members across Cherokee, Pickens, Bartow, Forsyth, Cobb, and surrounding Georgia counties. We work to advance democratic participation, government accountability, and progressive values in our communities. Learn more at https://www.ngacan.org.
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