Hope Beard

Hope Beard is the Democratic candidate for Georgia House of Representatives District 123 in the November 3, 2026 general election, facing incumbent Republican Rob Leverett.[1] A licensed professional counselor and the owner of a mental health practice in Lincolnton, she also ran for the same seat in 2024.[1][2]

Hope Beard was born in Augusta, Georgia, and graduated from Lincoln County High School.[1] She earned a bachelor's degree from Paine College in 2003 and a graduate degree from Troy University in 2007.[1] Her career experience includes working as a business owner and licensed therapist, and she has been affiliated with First Baptist Church in Lincolnton, the Georgia Professional Counselors Association, the Eastern Stars and the Ladies of Peppermint Swirl.[1]

Beard advanced from the Democratic primary for District 123 on May 21, 2024, and Leverett defeated her in the November 5, 2024 general election.[1] She advanced from the Democratic primary again on May 19, 2026.[1] In a Ballotpedia survey, she said she is a licensed professional counselor in Georgia and Florida, the founder of a mental health practice in Lincolnton, and the founder of the House of Hope Wellness Center, a youth development and mental wellness initiative.[2] She listed mental health access and Medicaid expansion, women's rights and social justice, and support for small businesses and economic development as her key messages, and named The Fighting 50 as an endorser.[2]

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.