Results for 3 contested Houston County school board races are in. See who won

Unofficial results show two incumbents and one newcomer appear poised to win seats on the Houston County Board of Education in Tuesday’s three contested races for the 2026 election cycle.

Lori Johnson, Sheila Ashley and Mark Ivory have won positions on the Houston County Board of Education for districts two and four, and post six, respectively, according to unofficial election totals from the Georgia Secretary of State as of 11 p.m.

The victor in each race will serve a four-year term on the school board.

Candidates campaigned on issues including transparency, student safety and equitable distribution of funds across all campuses.

Here’s what to know about the winners and the priorities they say they will bring to the board.

District 2

Incumbent Lori Johnson, who has served on the board since 2015, secured her re-election to the District 2 seat.

With all precincts reporting by 11 p.m., Johnson led challenger Courtney Driver with 69% of the vote, according to unofficial results.

During her campaign, Johnson prioritized school safety and responsible financial management. She said leaders will continue improving facilities and safety protocols to ensure campuses are safe for students, as well as maintain disciplined budget practices.

“I will continue to be a responsible steward of the district’s funds. We must spend wisely while ensuring that we remain a world-class district,” Johnson previously told The Telegraph in a written statement. She also highlighted protecting classroom resources and ensure academic success for students.

Johnson previously said district leaders will look for innovative ways to support student growth through multi-tiered systems of support, and she will continue working collaboratively with fellow board members to address district challenges.

Johnson could not immediately be reached for comment.

District 4

Earning 65% of the vote for District 4, with all precincts reporting as of 11 p.m., Sheila Ashley beat incumbent Jonathan Nichols and will serve a four-year term on the Houston County Board of Education.

“I can’t take no credit for this. This all belongs to God and the voters, and I’m very humbled to represent them,” Ashley told The Telegraph over the phone Tuesday night. “I’ll wake up in the morning with my sleeves rolled up and ready to report.”

Ashley previously ran for the Houston County Board of Education in 2014 and 2018, according to prior reporting by The Telegraph.

Ashley’s most recent campaign focused on special education advocacy, stronger bullying prevention measures and more equitable distribution of school funding to deserving campuses. She also called for “authentic family engagement,” saying families should be able to bring concerns to the board with confidence that action will follow.

When asked what she thinks resonated most with voters, Ashley said many appreciated her clear message about the changes she believes are needed in the district and were already familiar with her community work.

Ashley said her advocacy work began with her experiences as a parent of a child with special needs, encountering school officials’ resistance to honors her daughter’s individualized education program, or IEP.

Ashley, now an independent consultant advising families on how to advocate for their children with disabilities, previously told The Telegraph that she would adjust that work to comply with board policies if elected.

Post 6

Incumbent Mark Ivory came out ahead in the school board election, earning 63% of the vote against challenger Andy Thomas as of 11 p.m. with all 17 precincts reporting.

Ivory, who has been on the board since 2022, said he will continue to be a voice for the children and future in Houston County.

“Right now, things are looking real good, so we’re going to claim this victory,” the 56-year-old said in a 5-minute Facebook livestream with his wife around 10:40 p.m. “Everybody that went out to the polls and cast a vote for Mark Ivory, I thank you so, so very much.”

Ivory also thanked voters who did not support him, saying it was important for them to make their voices heard.

Ivory, a retired U.S. Army veteran and retired Houston County Schools educator, previously told The Telegraph that he wants to continue financially investing in the district’s Title I schools, like Northside and Warner Robins middle schools, to improve outdated gyms.

He also said he wants to continue planned work with the district’s new STEM and Career Academy, which began construction this year, saying it is aimed at helping students better compete with peers in more competitive metro areas when they go to college.

“I’m just thankful and ready to get to work and this thing forward,” Ivory said in the livestream. “I’m just excited.”

Ivory is a Houston County native who attended Northside High as a student, and now has a son coaching at the high school.

Ivory’s race was the only at-large contest on the ballot, while the other two seats were district-based.

This story was originally published May 19, 2026 at 10:21 PM.