Historic Swearing-In Marks a Milestone for Black Women in Politics
Alicia Johnson made history early in 2026, when she became the first Black woman elected to statewide office in Georgia. She officially joined the Georgia Public Service Commission during a ceremony in the commission chambers.
Calling her election a “historic milestone,” Johnson said, “You stand with me at the intersection of history and responsibility. This oath connects me to a long arc of progress in Georgia — one shaped by citizens who dared and expanded the promise of democracy through courage, sacrifice, and persistence.”
Her victory also represents a major breakthrough for Democrats in Georgia. Alongside Peter Hubbard, Johnson became one of the first Democrats to win statewide office in nearly 20 years.
Rising to the Responsibility of a First
Johnson acknowledged the weight of being the first Black woman on the commission. “Anybody who does something for the first time knows the overwhelming sense of responsibility,” she told reporters. She added, “It’s a shame that a commission with over 100 years of history has never had a Black woman. But the reality is, that’s who we are.”
The commission plays a critical role in regulating Georgia Power Co., the state’s only private electrical utility serving 2.7 million customers. Rising utility costs and rapid growth of AI data centers in Georgia contributed to voters’ support for Johnson and Hubbard.
“I accept this responsibility fully aware that the decisions made here affect families’ monthly bills, their community health, economic opportunity, and our shared future,” Johnson said during the ceremony.
Advocating for Fair Utility Policies and Accessibility
During her campaign, Johnson focused on transparency and fairness. She promised to make the commission’s website 508 accessibility-compliant and create a consumer advisory group for District 2, covering central Georgia.
She also pledged to hold data centers accountable for their energy usage instead of passing costs onto ratepayers. “I don’t want to pay for somebody else’s server farm,” she said. “And I don’t think any Georgian wants to take on that cost.”
Despite a three-person Republican majority on the commission, Johnson emphasized that policy should remain nonpartisan. “Good policy is not red policy or blue policy — it’s people-centered policy,” she told reporters.
Breaking Barriers for Black Women in Partisan Politics
While many Black women have been appointed to nonpartisan statewide roles, such as judgeships, Johnson is the first Black woman elected to a partisan statewide office in Georgia. Her victory represents progress and highlights the long history of underrepresentation.
“I wish I could say I’m surprised by that fact, but as I eloquently put it, that’s who we are,” Johnson said. Her historic achievement is a reminder that representation matters, and her leadership will shape policies impacting millions of Georgians.
