Micah King (HD-157) (D) laid out a cost-of-living platform Sept. 22 on his campaign website, arguing that no single law controls what families pay and that state lawmakers, county governments and the free market each hold different levers. His plan covers property taxes, the grocery sales tax and utility bills, and it starts from the numbers. Citing American Community Survey figures, King says median household income in Jeff Davis County is nearly 46% below the state figure and that poverty tops 22% in each of the four counties he names.
King also wants lawmakers to enforce safeguards through the Public Service Commission so that data centers and other industrial technology developers pay 100% of the dedicated grid-expansion costs they create. The commission he would rely on is itself on the ballot. Peter Hubbard (PSC District 3) (D), who won his seat in a 2025 special election, faces Fitz Johnson (PSC District 3) (R), and Shelia Edwards (PSC District 5) (D) faces Josh Tolbert (PSC District 5) (R) for an open seat. Republicans hold three of the commission’s five seats, so if Hubbard keeps his and Edwards wins the open one, Democrats would hold a majority.
King is running for the open seat Bill Werkheiser (HD-157) (R) is leaving, a district that takes in all or part of Tattnall, Evans, Appling and Jeff Davis counties. Werkheiser ran unopposed in 2022 and 2024. This year, King faces Bradley B. Anderson (HD-157) (R), who had raised about $73,000 through July 31 to King’s $7,500.
