Fulton commissioner Dana Barrett enters crowded race for Georgia secretary of state

A Fulton County elected official announced her candidacy for Georgia Secretary of State.

Fulton County Commissioner Dana Barrett planned a news conference Thursday morning to launch her campaign. She joins a crowded Democratic primary that includes former Fulton County State Court Judge Penny Brown Reynolds, Adrian Consonery Jr. and Cam T. Ashling.

Fulton County drew national attention after the 2020 election with claims from President Donald Trump that voter fraud in the county cost him the election.

Barrett was part of the Democratic majority that refused to approve two Republican nominees to the county election board. The decision resulted in a judge finding the Board of Commissioners in civil contempt, but the ruling is currently on hold pending appeal.

At a Board of Commissioners meeting in August, Barrett claimed that elections were under attack.

“I ran for this seat, in a large part, because I wanted to be in a spot to defend the integrity of our elections, and I stand by that commitment today,” she said.

The seat is currently held by Republican Brad Raffensperger, who announced in September 2025 his bid for governor. Raffensperger defended Georgia’s election results in 2020 despite intense pressure from the Trump administration and the infamous call from Trump asking Raffensperger to “find” more votes.

Republican primary candidates include Gabriel Sterling, state Rep. Tim Fleming, Vernon Jones and Kelvin King.