Joshua “Josh” Tolbert, a Republican from Cobb County, is running for Georgia Public Service Commission District 5 in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. He faces Democrat Shelia Edwards and Libertarian Thomas Blooming, according to Ballotpedia’s election reporting.

Tolbert, a mechanical engineer and founder of Atlanta Experts, said in our candidate questionnaire that he is running "because I want to see principled, competent leaders in government." The commission regulates Georgia's electric, natural gas and telecommunications utilities, setting rates and approving power plant construction.

Candidate information

Residence: Cobb County, Georgia

Party: Republican. Tolbert said in our questionnaire: "While I am running as a Republican, this race should not be partisan. I am running to represent the best interests of Georgians."

Education: Doctorate in mechanical engineering, University of Alabama (2015); master's in mechanical engineering (2012); master's in engineering science and mechanics (2012); bachelor's in mechanical engineering (2009), all from the University of Alabama.

Family: Tolbert said in our questionnaire: "My wife, Mary, and I live in Cobb County with our five children: Amelia, Audrey, Joey, Abigail, and Johnny."

Previous office: Tolbert said in our questionnaire: "I have never held an elected nor an appointed office." He was a candidate for Georgia State Senate District 35 in 2025, according to Ballotpedia.

Experience and public service

Asked about his work history, Tolbert said in our questionnaire: "I am a business owner, technical executive, and licensed Professional Engineer. As principal of Atlanta Experts, I provide engineering consulting and expert witness services."

He added: "Previously, I served as Chief Technology Officer of nuclear developer Last Energy, Director of Technology at the Energy Impact Center, a decarbonization research group, and head of research and development at Practical Steam. I also served as an engineering professor at Kennesaw State University."

On the issues

Why he says he is the right candidate: Tolbert said in our questionnaire: "I have four engineering degrees, including a doctorate in mechanical engineering, a Professional Engineer license, and 15 years of experience designing and developing power plants … This role requires more than political talking points."

Electricity rates: Tolbert said in our questionnaire: "I support lowering rates. Freezing rates after they have climbed to a high level does not undo those increases." He said he would examine "whether the utility did everything reasonably possible to mitigate and minimize those expenses" before allowing fuel and storm cost recovery.

Data centers: Tolbert said in our questionnaire: "Data centers should pay their own way. Georgians should not subsidize the infrastructure or commitments needed to serve them." On his campaign website, he said the PSC "recently certified approximately 10 gigawatts of new generation in anticipation of forecasted data center growth; if that load does not materialize, the cost of excess capacity will fall on ratepayers."

Energy mix: Tolbert said in our questionnaire: "Solar, batteries, natural gas, and nuclear are tools in our toolbox. We should choose the right tool for each job." He added: "I will pursue the lowest-cost solutions that meet our reliability needs and, among options meeting those requirements, favor the lowest emissions."

On nuclear costs, Tolbert told the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy: "We can build conventional power plants at one to $2 million a megawatt. And we built Plant Vogtle for almost $17 million a megawatt."

Transparency: Tolbert said in our questionnaire: "I will explain every vote: the evidence behind it, why I made the decision, and the expected consequences for customers." He pledged "not to accept contributions from regulated utilities, their subsidiaries, executives, board members, lobbyists, attorneys representing them, or affiliated committees."

The race is on the Nov. 3 ballot.

Candidate responses were collected through a Surround Sound News questionnaire for the Sandy Springs Record. Questionnaire quotations are excerpted without changing the candidate’s wording.