Who's In the Race

Rep. Rick Allen (R-GA) faces Democrat Ceretta Smith in the Nov. 3 general election in Georgia's 12th Congressional District. Under Georgia law, a candidate must win a majority of the vote; if no one does, the top two finishers advance to a runoff. ​

Allen has represented Georgia's 12th District since 2015. He founded the construction company R.W. Allen & Associates and has worked as a small-business owner for nearly 40 years. Because no verified primary result for Allen was found, his primary outcome is not reported here.

Smith is a U.S. Army veteran who served as a medic from 1992 to 2000, has served on Grovetown's City Council, and has worked as a federal employee and labor leader. She won the Democratic primary runoff on June 16, with about 56 percent of the vote over runner-up Traci George, according to NBC News.

What They Stand For

Allen has promoted direct contracting as a way for employers to offer health care options and lower costs, according to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. He's also supported:

  • School choice, saying families should have the opportunity to select a K–12 education for their children, according to his official House website;
  • Job creation and economic growth, drawing on his experience as a small-business owner; and
  • Reducing health care costs through employer-driven options.

Smith has proposed reducing gun violence through "common-sense safety" measures, according to her campaign website. She has also supported:

  • Stronger mental-health and youth support services to make streets and schools safer;
  • Access to health care, groceries, and crisis response close to home; and
  • Investment in good jobs, strong schools, and healthy communities to prepare for the future.

The Money Behind the Race

Through June 30, Rick Allen had raised about $993,000 and had about $1.3 million in cash on hand, while Ceretta Smith had raised about $27,000 and had about $3,500 on hand. As of June 30, Allen reported about $1.32 million in cash on hand, more than his roughly $993,000 in total receipts. His reported debt of about $1.6 million is more than his total receipts this cycle.

Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets

Cook Political Report rated the race Solid Republican as of Oct. 9; Sabato's Crystal Ball rated it Solid Republican as of Oct. 11; and Inside Elections rated it Solid Republican as of Oct. 2. Kalshi traders gave Republicans, whose nominee is Allen, a 90.17% chance of winning as of Oct. 14, while Democrats, whose nominee is Smith, stood at 9.83%.

Allen won the district with about 60 percent of the vote in both 2022 and 2024, showing consistent Republican strength in the seat. Republicans won nine of Georgia's 14 U.S. House seats in 2022, while Democrats won five. Donald Trump carried Georgia in the 2024 presidential election with about 51 percent of the vote.

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