Lanny Thomas

Lanny Thomas is a Republican state senator from Georgia's District 53, who took office on April 23, 2026, after winning a special election runoff on April 7, 2026, and is seeking a full term on November 3, 2026. He is a longtime educator and a former mayor of Trion.[1]

Lanny Thomas graduated from Lafayette High School in 1980, earned a bachelor's degree in education from West Georgia College, and later earned a master's degree and an education specialist degree from Jacksonville State University.[1] His career experience includes teaching at Pennville Elementary, LaFayette High School and Trion City Schools.[1] He has also served as mayor of Trion, a Trion city council member and a deacon, and has been affiliated with Lookout Mountain CASA, the Summerville/Trion Optimist Club and Georgia Municipal Association District One.[1]

Thomas ran for the District 53 Senate seat in 2016, losing the Republican primary to incumbent Jeff Mullis, 66.6 percent to 33.4 percent.[1] In 2026 he succeeded Colton Moore in the seat, and he defeated Denise Burns and Blake Elsberry in the May 19, 2026 Republican primary with 72.5 percent of the vote.[1]

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