Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Good Morning! In the news today: Two milestones on Coastal Georgia’s political calendar: candidate qualifying and Crossover Day. Carter hosts a virtual town hall. And finally, we note some things you may have missed. Questions, comments, or story ideas? You can reach me at craig.thecurrent@gmail.com.
NEWS: ELECTIONS
Setting the field
This is the week in Georgia’s election cycle that the rubber meets the road.
The qualifying period for local, state and federal races began at 9 a.m. yesterday and by 12:01 p.m. on Friday — the deadline for candidates to submit their paperwork — the field for this year’s midterm elections will be set. Gone will be the dabblers and the dilletantes. Remaining will be those who believe they can win — or at least advance their political ambitions and have an “impact.”
For those Coastal Georgians still weighing a run for political office, it isn’t too late. To see what local offices are being contested, check the website of your local election board; for statewide office, the Georgia’s secretary of state’s candidate qualifying handbook.
This weekend, The Current will sort out what we learned in the thicket of qualifying news and what it may portend for the party primaries elections on May 19. Meanwhile, hats off to all who have (or had) the spunk to pursue elected office in these troubled, divided times.
NEWS: GOVERNING
Clock’s ticking
Friday is a milestone on Georgia’s political calendar for another reason: It’s so-called Crossover Day in the state legislature, the deadline for legislation to be approved by the chamber where it originates — either the Senate or House of Representatives — and thus still have a chance to become law.
With that deadline just days away — and the 40-day legislative session scheduled to adjourn on April 2 — it’s a fitting time to look at the status of legislation that matters to many Coastal Georgians, as reflected in a survey of The Current’s readers at the session’s start in January, The Current’s Craig Nelson and Maggie Lee write.
(Spoiler alert: The legislature’s efforts so far have been a decidedly mixed bag.)
NEWS: GOVERNING
Controversial figure
Coastal Georgia Congressman Buddy Carter held a rare town hall last week — this one virtually — during which questions were screened and little was said that the Republican U.S. Senate candidate from St. Simons isn’t saying daily on the campaign trail or on social media.
Taking up more than 13 minutes of last week’s hourlong virtual town hall was Carter’s conversation with Scott Presler, who is currently campaigning for passage of federal legislation to impose strict new proof of citizenship requirements, the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility, or SAVE America Act.
Carter hailed efforts by Presler, founder of Early Vote Action, to win approval of the measure. “The people of the 1st District really appreciate everything you’re doing to ensure the integrity of our voting system,” he told Presler.
Presler is a controversial figure. He became prominent in 2017 as a coordinator of “March Against Sharia” events organized by ACT for America. The Republican National Committee cut ties with him a year earlier when he was working for the RNC as an operative for the Republican Party of Virginia.
Citing “three people familiar with the circumstances,” Politico reported in 2023 that the RNC’s decision to sever ties with Presler occurred after Presler “engaged in sexual activity inside a Virginia Beach office the RNC shared with the state party – and posted explicit pictures of the encounter on CraigsList.”
It isn’t clear whether in inviting Presler to participate in the town hall, Carter and his office were aware of the alleged incident or chose to overlook it. His office didn’t respond to a request for comment Monday.
NEWS: UPDATES
ICYMI
• A draft of Glynn County’s new zoning ordinances rolls back lighting restrictions aimed at protecting sea turtles, The Current’s Jabari Gibbs reports.
• Indeed, it was a “night to shine” in Richmond Hill for people with special needs, The Current’s Justin Taylor reports.
• Amid rumors of an impending strike, Savannah Alderman Detric Leggett, chair of the Chatham Area Transit, and CAT CEO Stephanie Cutter warn union leaders and members in a letter that such a job action would be illegal under Georgia law.
• State Rep. Carl Gilliard (D-162, Savannah) says he won’t seek reelection.
• The Savannah School of Art and Design (SCAD) declares $2.29 billion in assets as of June 30, 2025, up from $2.03 billion the year before.
• The Current’s Jasmine Wright reports on the future of Georgia’s timber industry and “timber farmer anxieties.”
• Included on the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation’s 2026 “Places in Peril” list are Orange Hall in St. Marys, Camden County; Union Brothers and Sisters Mission Hall, Meridian, McIntosh County; and Wayne County Courthouse, in Jesup.
• On the diversity, equity and inclusion front, a confidential database reveals which items the National Park Service “thinks may ‘disparage’ America.”
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Popular legislation awaits votes as Crossover Day looms
As Crossover Day approaches, the Georgia General Assembly must pass legislation in its originating chamber to have a chance of becoming law this year, with key issues such as data center regulation, environmental protection, literacy, healthcare, and tax relief still being debated.
Glynn County’s new zoning draft fails to update light protections for sea turtles
Glynn County has released a second draft of its zoning ordinances, which would gut many of the lighting restrictions intended to protect sea turtles, and has been met with criticism from environmentalists who argue that the changes will result in the needless death of turtles.
Balcony solar is taking state legislatures by storm
A Bronx attorney has installed a 220-watt plug-and-play solar panel on her balcony, which is estimated to save her about $100 per year, and is advocating for legislation to make these systems more widely available.
Georgia timber industry seeks innovative solutions amid market challenges
Georgia’s timber industry has been hit hard by the closure of International Paper’s mills, resulting in job losses and decreased demand for timber, prompting state lawmakers to consider new laws and initiatives to help save the industry.
Georgia balcony solar bill sidelined
House Bill 1304, which would have exempted “balcony solar” devices from certain regulatory requirements, was not put to a vote in the Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications Committee, likely ending its chances of passing this legislative session.
Students who skip school could face new punishments, including loss of driver’s license
The state Senate has passed legislation that would bar students with too many unexcused absences from playing sports and could result in the loss of their driver’s license.
Data center bill stalls after last-minute change opposed by industry finds support
The Georgia Senate adjourned abruptly before voting on a bill to ensure data centers pay for the energy infrastructure built to accommodate them, after a last-minute alternative measure appeared to have the votes to pass.
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