Candler County Superintendent enters race for Georgia State Superintendent of Schools

CANDLER COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - A local superintendent has entered the race for Georgia’s State Superintendent of Schools.

This election will take place November 3, 2026.

Candler County Superintendent Dr. Fred “Bubba” Longgrear announced that he will be entering the race for Georgia State School Superintendent.

The current Georgia State School Superintendent, Richard Woods is seeking re-election for a fourth term in this election. Woods was first elected in 2014 and re-elected once in 2018 and then again in 2022.

“I started thinking, could this be a good path to continue to advocate for and help improve education in Georgia? ” said Longgrear.

Longgrear is the only local public-school employee in the running.

“I think that a state level school superintendent that has had extensive experience at the local level is super important that has had to face the decisions with being a local superintendent and seize the challenges,” said Longgrear. “I think that is a very strong prerequisite for being the state level school superintendent.”

Longgrear has worked a total of 30 years in the public school system.

He says his time spent inside Georgia public schools has opened his eyes to the main objectives he would take into the state office seat.

The first being safety.

“We had a tragedy last year up in Apalachee High School in Barrow county and safety has become more of a focus area,” said Longgrear. “I think that as school leaders, we need to be empowered and supported in when you identify a potential threat within your building, we have to take really firm response.”

Longgrear says his other main objectives includes continuing the push for stronger literacy in Georgia.

He says he is also very passionate about creating more career driven programs for students who choose a career path over college.

“It’s not the end all be all for everybody,” said Longrear. “So, through partnerships with the Georgia Ports Authority, Hyundai, our local tier one providers here. So many businesses and industry. These industries are begging for a partnership with the school systems.”

WTOC reached out to the Candler County School System who said Dr. Longgrear still intends on being Candler County’s Superintendent for the whole year during the election.

To learn more about Dr. Bubba Longgrear, click here.