ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Only hours before qualifying for Georgia’s nationally watched May 19, 2026, primaries end, state Sen. Nabilah Parkes became the first woman to launch a bid for lieutenant governor this year.

Parkes is a Democrat from Gwinnett County’s seventh Senate district who was first elected in 2022, becoming the youngest woman ever elected to the Senate at age 32.

Parkes is also the first Muslim woman and the first South Asian woman elected to the Senate.

Parkes joins state Sen. Josh McLaurin, D-Sandy Springs, and Richard Wright as Democratic lieutenant gubernatorial candidates. Five Republicans so far have qualified for the race for a position the GOP has held since 2008.

Qualifying for Georgia’s May primaries ends at noon on Friday, March 6, 2026.

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