Strickland, Cowsert both eye state Attorney General position

Walton County is looking at having two new state senators after the 2026 election.

Bill Cowsert, whose District 46 seat includes part of Walton County, has filed paperwork to raise funds to campaign for attorney general in the 2026 election.

Cowsert joins Brian Strickland, whose District 42 state senate also represents a portion of Walton County, in eyeing the attorney general position.

Strickland, a lawyer who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, registered with the Georgia Ethics Commissions’ campaign finance system in late March.

Cowsert, R-Athens, a lawyer who chairs the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee, registered April 23.

The attorney general race will be an open contest as current office holder Chris Carr has announced he is running for governor in 2026.

Strickland, who chaired a study committee on the affordability of child care last year, was the chief co-sponsor of legislation that sought tax credits for parents of young children. The legislation did not pass. Lawmakers instead sent a general tax credit of between $250 and $500 to Gov. Brian Kemp, who signed that measure last week.

Cowsert, who chairs a committee that has been investigating Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, was recently granted authority by the Senate to expand his scope to include groups founded by former gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams.

Cowsert also sponsored Senate Bill 255, which seeks to give his committee subpoena powers. It passed the Senate and the House of Representatives after bitter partisan debate, with one leading Democrat labeling it “authoritarianism.” It awaits Kemp’s signature.

The decision to run for statewide office will mean both Strickland and Cowsert will have to give up their current seats meaning Walton County will have two new state senators beginning in 2027.

While Strickland and Cowsert have filed the necessary paper work to run for attorney general, official qualifying does not take place until next spring. They will not be official candidates until that time.

Candidates are only allowed to seek one elected office.