Runoff Election 2026 | The Finale: Vote with Garnett Johnson & Steven Brian Kendrick
Local Matters PodcastShow Notes
Garnett Johnson is the 85th Mayor of the City of Augusta and a small business owner. An Augusta native, he is proud graduate of George P. Butler High School and Augusta University with a degree in Business Administration. Appointed by Governor Brian Kemp, Garnett serves on the Georgia Department of Economic Development Board. Representing Augusta, he serves as the Third Vice President of the Georgia Municipal Association and is a former chairman of the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce. He is engaged locally as a member of the Augusta Exchange Club, is a 2015 Leadership Augusta graduate, and a 2020 Leadership Georgia graduate. Born and raised in East Augusta, Mayor Johnson is honored to lead the city he loves. He is passionate about moving Augusta Forward by prioritizing growth, action, results and being transparent and accountable to Augusta residents. Garnett is married to Toni Seals-Johnson. They have two daughters and are members of Good Shepherd Baptist Church.
Steven Brian Kendrick is a lifelong Augustan who has spent more than 20 years serving the community through public service, economic development, and leadership initiatives. A Magna Cum Laude graduate of Florida A&M University, he earned both a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and an MBA. Kendrick served 13 years as Richmond County Tax Commissioner and currently serves as Chief Deputy in the office. In addition to his public service, Kendrick has worked as a business professor at Paine College, Augusta University, and University of Phoenix. He is also a licensed broker, agent, and real estate instructor with experience in the private sector through the pharmaceutical industry and his family business, Augusta Blueprint. Kendrick has played a key role in shaping Augusta’s economic and community development landscape, serving as Chairman of the Augusta Economic Development Authority and Chairman Emeritus of the Augusta Land Bank Authority. He is also a founding board member of the HUB Augusta Collaborative and the founder of the E3 Leadership Foundation, which focuses on youth leadership development through programs such as Project Impact. In addition, he has helped lead and support leadership programs in the community including Youth Leadership Augusta and the HUB Youth Leadership Academy. As a candidate, Kendrick’s platform centers on BUILDING stronger communities, GROWING economic opportunity, UNITING leadership across Augusta, and LEADING the region toward a more prosperous future.
DISCLAIMER: Local Matters Podcast Host Janice Allen Jackson is speaking only for herself. Her thoughts, views, and opinions regarding this tragedy belong solely to her. These are not to malign any profession, organization, anyone, or anything. Local Matters does not endorse candidates.
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