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12th Congressional District · 2026 U.S. House · Unofficial result

U.S. House, 12th District: what did each candidate actually say they'd do?

IN PLAIN ENGLISH

Rick Allen (R) is listed as the district's U.S. Representative on his official House site.4 Ceretta Smith (D) is a Grovetown city councilwoman, a former Army medic and a union leader.5 With all counties reporting, Allen leads by 11,342 votes. Results are unofficial until certified. Check your own address on the Georgia Secretary of State's voter lookup to confirm your district.

Allen leadsAll counties reporting; unofficial until certified1
52.10%Allen (R)1
47.90%Smith (D)1
11,342Vote margin of 270,342 cast (sum of the two candidates' counts)1

Do they have a plan?

We read every issue on each candidate's own website and checked the same six things for every one. We count what's there. We don't grade whether the ideas are good. Read the full scoring rules

Of the issues on their website, how many...Rick W. AllenCeretta Smith
Names a policyNo issues page on their site0 of 8
Says how they'd do itNo issues page on their site0 of 8
Includes a number or targetNo issues page on their site0 of 8
Says how it's paid forNo issues page on their site0 of 8
Gives a timelineNo issues page on their site0 of 8
Points to a recordNo issues page on their site0 of 8

The candidates, side by side

Each topic shows every candidate's own words on it, in alphabetical order, from their own website. "Nothing on this topic" means their site doesn't cover it. Topic rows are grouped by us from their headings; the scores don't change.

Rick W. AllenRepublican
Ceretta SmithDemocrat
Who they are
Rick W. Allen
Listed as the district's U.S. Representative on his official House site.4 His campaign site has only Home, About, News and Contact pages and no issues page, so nothing was scored. The News page is empty. His About page still reads like a first-time candidate's: "letting me serve you in Congress, too".2
Ceretta Smith
Grovetown city councilwoman, by her own account.5 Her "Download" for the full plan reads "Coming soon". Endorsement blurbs on her page come from outside groups and are not scored.
Abortion
Rick W. Allen
No issues page on their site
Ceretta Smith
Protecting Communities"Reduce gun violence: address the proliferation of guns with common-sense safety."5
None of the six checks
Veterans
Rick W. Allen
No issues page on their site
Ceretta Smith
Veterans Issues"Stronger transition support: jobs, training, and hiring incentives." Also: "Cutting red tape: easier access to benefits and services."5
None of the six checks
Health care
Rick W. Allen
No issues page on their site
Ceretta Smith
Healthcare Access"Expand access to care: support coverage options that keep more Georgians insured and protected." Also: "Lower out-of-pocket costs: reduce the financial strain of care."5
None of the six checks
Housing
Rick W. Allen
No issues page on their site
Ceretta Smith
Housing & Job Growth"Homeownership: real paths for first-time buyers." Also: "Renters' rights: keep people housed, not displaced."5
None of the six checks
Schools and education
Rick W. Allen
No issues page on their site
Ceretta Smith
Education & Funding"Fair funding: protect schools in rural & low-income communities." Also: "Support educators: better pay and manageable class sizes."5
None of the six checks
Farms and rural areas
Rick W. Allen
No issues page on their site
Ceretta Smith
Your Voice Matters"Open communication: town halls + transparency." Also: "Community-driven priorities: rural + urban needs."5
None of the six checks
Elections and voting
Rick W. Allen
No issues page on their site
Ceretta Smith
Defending Democracy & the Constitution"Free & fair elections: expand access and protect voters." Also: "Support workers: protect freedom to organize."5
None of the six checks
Taxes, jobs and the economy
Rick W. Allen
No issues page on their site
Ceretta Smith
Affordability & Economic Stability"Lower household costs: tackling rising prices on essentials like food, utilities, and transportation." Also: "Fair wages: ensuring work pays enough to build stability, not just survive paycheck to paycheck."5
None of the six checks
Their record
Rick W. Allen
  • About 40 years building a construction company in Augusta, by his own account.2
  • Says he'll bring "my experience in job creation and principled leadership to Congress".2 His campaign site points to no votes or bills.
Ceretta Smith
  • U.S. Army medic for nearly a decade, then federal employee and national union leader, and Grovetown city councilwoman, by her own account.5 Her priorities don't point to any votes or programs she ran.
In their words
Rick W. Allen

"Small businesses, our nation's job creators, are being taxed and regulated to death and are struggling to stay afloat."

Rick Allen, campaign About page2

"We need to build on the foundation of our nation's economy by loosening Washington's grip and letting the free market do its job."

Rick Allen, campaign About page2
Ceretta Smith

"I've always believed leadership means showing up for people, not special interests."

Ceretta Smith, campaign Home page5

"Families in GA-12 deserve real economic relief and real opportunities to get ahead."

Ceretta Smith, campaign Home page5
Where we read it
Rick W. Allen
Website: rickwallen.com/ (checked 11/5/2026)
Ceretta Smith
Website: cerettaforga.com/ (checked 11/5/2026)

The middle

Where they agree

  • Both name small businesses. Allen: "Small businesses, our nation's job creators, are being taxed and regulated to death and are struggling to stay afloat."2 Smith wants "attracting new industries, supporting small businesses, and expanding job training."5
  • Both say prices are squeezing families. Allen: "More Americans than ever are struggling with rising prices and high inflation."2 Smith: "From groceries to gas to housing, the cost of living keeps rising".5

Where they really split

  • Role of government: Allen wants "loosening Washington's grip and letting the free market do its job."2 Smith says "government should work for people, not the other way around."5
  • Cause and fix: Allen points to "Job-killing policies and overregulation".2 Smith's fix is "Support for workers: tools and protections that help families stay afloat during tough times."5

What each one leaves out

  • Allen's campaign site has no issues page. His Home and About pages name no policy, number, cost or date, and don't mention health care, veterans or schools.2, 3
  • Smith's eight priorities are short lists of goals, such as "Lower out-of-pocket costs: reduce the financial strain of care." None says how, what it costs or when, and her full plan download says "Coming soon".5
Sources (checked 11/5/2026)
  1. Georgia Secretary of State results, unofficial (all 159 counties reporting, last updated Nov 4, 2026 12:13 PM): results.sos.ga.gov/results/public/Georgia/11032026GeneralAndSpecialElection
  2. Rick Allen campaign, About: rickwallen.com/about/
  3. Rick Allen campaign, Home: rickwallen.com/
  4. Rick Allen official House site (not a campaign site; used only to show who holds the seat): allen.house.gov/
  5. Ceretta Smith campaign, Home (Priorities section): cerettaforga.com/