Republican Georgia Public Service Commission incumbent Tricia Pridemore announced Tuesday that she will not seek reelection this year, a move that adds fresh uncertainty to the balance of power on the five-member panel that regulates monopoly utilities such as Georgia Power.

Pridemore, who was appointed to the PSC in 2018 and was due to be on the ballot this year, said in a social media statement that she is considering a run for Congress instead of pursuing another term on the commission. “This decision comes after deep reflection and with profound gratitude for the honor of serving our great state,” Pridemore said.

Her announcement comes just months after two Democrats defeated two Republican PSC incumbents in November, flipping seats held by Tim Echols and Fitz Johnson. The new commissioners, Democrats Alicia Johnson and Peter Hubbard, won by tapping into voter frustration over cost-of-living pressures and utility bills, after the commission approved multiple rate increases in recent years.

Pridemore voted in December with the rest of the commission to approve a controversial 10-gigawatt expansion for Georgia Power, largely aimed at meeting anticipated electricity demand from data centers. With Echols and Johnson already replaced, Republicans were left with a narrow one-vote edge on the PSC, and Pridemore’s decision not to run again leaves the commission’s future political makeup less certain heading into the next election cycle.

While PSC commissioners run statewide, each must live in the district they represent. Pridemore’s district covers much of the western edge of Georgia, including Floyd County and surrounding areas. Pridemore said she is considering a campaign for the northwest metro Atlanta U.S. House seat currently held by Rep. Barry Loudermilk of Bartow County, who recently announced he will not run for reelection.

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