David Clark launches bid for Georgia Lieutenant Governor, vows to eliminate property and income taxes

State Rep. David Clark has announced his campaign for Georgia lieutenant governor, becoming the latest Republican to enter what is shaping up to be a crowded 2026 primary field.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – State Rep. David Clark has announced his campaign for Georgia lieutenant governor, becoming the latest Republican to enter what is shaping up to be a crowded 2026 primary field.

Clark, an Army Special Forces veteran who has represented parts of Gwinnett, Forsyth and Hall counties in the Georgia House since 2015, says he is “mission ready” to take on the role. In launching his campaign, Clark pledged to defend what he calls Georgia’s “families, values and freedom.”

Among his top priorities: eliminating property taxes and phasing out the state income tax.

Clark has proposed freezing property taxes and granting seniors a $500,000 homestead exemption, a move he says would eliminate property taxes for most seniors. He also plans to introduce legislation to prevent the seizure of seniors’ homes over unpaid property taxes, instead converting those taxes into liens collected when a property is sold or transferred. Ultimately, he says, he wants to eliminate property taxes altogether.

He is also calling for the elimination of Georgia’s state income tax, arguing that it would allow families to keep more of their paychecks and attract more businesses to the state.

Clark’s platform includes blocking foreign adversaries from purchasing Georgia farmland or critical assets, expanding parental control in education, cracking down on fentanyl and gang activity, supporting law enforcement, expanding Second Amendment rights, and opposing what he describes as a “radical” left-wing agenda.

Clark was removed from the Georgia House chamber in 2021 by then-House leadership after a dispute over the chamber’s COVID-19 testing policy.

The lieutenant governor’s race is already drawing several high-profile Republicans, including state Sens. Blake Tillery, John Kennedy and Steve Gooch. Other declared Republican candidates include Brenda Nelson-Porter and Jerry Timbs. State Sen. Greg Dolezal is also considering a run.

On the Democratic side, state Sen. Josh McLaurin has announced his candidacy.

Georgia’s lieutenant governor presides over the state Senate, though senators ultimately determine how much authority the office holds. The current lieutenant governor, Burt Jones, is running for governor in 2026.

Clark says his military and legislative experience have prepared him for the job and that he intends to bring what he describes as “principled leadership” to the office if elected.