FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 29, 2026

ATLANTA — Georgia Equality and the SPLC Action Fund issued the following statements in response to Frontline Policy Action’s endorsement of Georgia Supreme Court candidates, Charlie Bethel and Sarah Hawkins Warren, in the May 19, 2026 nonpartisan judicial elections: 

“Georgia voters should be deeply concerned that Frontline Policy Action, the lobbying arm of an anti-LGBTQ+ hate group, whose general counsel has been fined thousands of dollars for breaking lobbying laws, is attempting to shape the future of the Georgia Supreme Court, “ said Isabel Otero, Interim Georgia State Director for the SPLC Action Fund. 

Frontline Policy Action has spent years peddling harmful and false information about LGBTQ+ people as part of their extreme agenda at the Georgia Capitol, which is one reason the Southern Poverty Law Center designated Frontline Policy Council as an anti-LGBTQ+ hate group.

“In a nonpartisan race, it is noteworthy when incumbents are being backed by an extremist, right-wing organization with deep pockets and a long history of pushing unconstitutional bills that target the rights and civil liberties of LGBTQ Georgians. Frontline Policy Action’s endorsement is at odds with the fair and balanced approach that our judges should have, and that is deeply concerning,” said Jeff Graham, executive director of Georgia Equality. 

“Our same opponents from the Gold Dome are now also attempting to take over our State Supreme Court to force their extremist agenda upon even more Georgians. The stakes in the State Supreme Court election are incredibly high, and we cannot afford to hand our opponents a win due to a lack of awareness regarding this pivotal race,” said Graham.

Now Frontline is trying to influence who sits on the highest court in our state. That should alarm every voter who believes our courts should protect constitutional rights, not serve as another tool for extremist political movements.

Georgia’s Supreme Court will decide issues that shape the daily lives of millions of people, including reproductive freedom, voting rights, LGBTQ+ equality, public education, criminal legal reform, and whether the state government can treat some communities as less worthy of protection under the law. These races may be listed as nonpartisan, but the stakes are anything but neutral.

Frontline Policy Action’s endorsement is not just another political preference. It is a warning sign. Groups that have worked to strip LGBTQ+ people of dignity, safety, and equal protection should not be allowed to quietly capture Georgia’s courts while voters are looking elsewhere.

We urge Georgia voters to pay close attention to these races, review the candidates’ records, and reject extremist efforts to politicize Georgia’s highest court. Early voting runs from April 27 through May 15, and Election Day is May 19.