GMA Honors Eight Lawmakers as 2026 Champions of Georgia’s Cities

GMA has named eight state legislators as 2026 "Champions of Georgia's Cities." The award goes out at the end of each two-year legislative term to lawmakers who have shown strong support for major municipal initiatives and priorities. This year's honorees were recognized for their work during the 2025-2026 session of the General Assembly.

GMA staff presented the awards in person at city council and commission meetings across the state, from Demorest to Kingsland to Decatur. Here is a look at this year's winners.

Rep. Victor Anderson (Demorest)
Anderson carried House Bill 137, which improved public works bidding requirements, and House Bill 155, which clarified the annexation arbitration process. As chairman of the House Governmental Affairs Committee, he also helped shape legislation on housing, local government investments and service delivery.

Sen. Randy Robertson (Columbus)
Robertson worked on Senate Bill 298, which streamlines appeals of rulings that deny immunity to the state, cities or counties by allowing direct appeals within a 30-day filing window. The bill helps reduce legal uncertainty and litigation costs for local governments. He also worked with GMA on school-zone speed camera legislation and took a balanced approach to cutting taxes while making sure local governments kept the resources to serve residents.

Rep. Chas Cannon (Moultrie)
Cannon sponsored House Bill 244, which revised the standards for local government audits while maintaining transparency. He was also a key voice on local government matters, drawing on his own experience in the area.

Rep. Steven Sainz (Kingsland)
Sainz served on the House Public Safety and Government Affairs committees, two panels that handle much of the legislation affecting cities. He was a consistent voice for municipalities on safe policing, smart housing and measured growth, infrastructure development, and liability limits for cities.

Rep. David Wilkerson (Powder Springs)
Wilkerson stayed engaged on property tax policy and broader tax discussions affecting local governments. He worked with GMA and city leaders to make sure lawmakers considered how proposed changes could affect city revenues, budgets and essential services, and he supported efforts to balance tax relief with the financial needs of cities.

Rep. Chuck Martin (Alpharetta)
Martin advanced Next Generation 911, helping strengthen Georgia's emergency communications system and prepare local governments for the move to modernized 911 technology. He also worked closely with GMA and city leaders on property tax and sales tax policy, helping ensure lawmakers weighed the fiscal impact on cities and local services.

Rep. Sam Park (Lawrenceville)
As House Minority Whip, Park served as an essential link between GMA and his caucus. On issues including local taxes, public safety and housing permitting, he met with GMA staff to discuss how proposals would affect cities, consider amendments, and share where his caucus stood.

Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver (Decatur)
Oliver was a consistent champion for cities on housing policy, including her work on delinquent property ownership and the role of corporate entities in the housing market. She also pushed for sound zoning and land use policy, helping ensure lawmakers heard the perspectives of local governments throughout the process.

"We greatly appreciate these legislators' support for Georgia's cities and their willingness to work with municipal leaders on issues that directly impact their communities," said GMA CEO and Executive Director Larry Hanson. GMA thanks all eight honorees for their service to Georgia's cities and the residents who live in them.