John
"BONGO" Salvesen
Republican John "BONGO" Salvesen challenges Democratic incumbent Nikema Williams in Georgia's 5th Congressional District in 2026.
- sources
- 5
- positions
- 6
- endorsements
- 0
Background
John "BONGO" Salvesen is a Republican candidate challenging Democratic incumbent Nikema Williams in Georgia's 5th Congressional District in the November 3, 2026 general election. The Federal Election Commission lists him as a Republican candidate for the GA-5 race. 914
Salvesen resides in the Atlanta, Georgia area and has worked as owner of The Handyman Can since October 1994; a 2024 candidate questionnaire also listed his occupation as "Handyman." His LinkedIn profile additionally notes involvement as a park-festival committee organizer beginning September 2007. 1623
He attended Kean University in New Jersey from 1984 to 1988, studying an EET/computer program. In a 2024 questionnaire, he stated he had schooling in both New Jersey and California without naming all institutions. 1623 The sources reviewed do not identify any prior elected offices held by Salvesen. 4
On his campaign website, Salvesen states his motivation for running as: "I came to the conclusion that we are not getting proper representation, democrat or republican, in our country." 1
At a glance
- Party
- Republican
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 5, Georgia
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Owner, The Handyman Can
- Website
- bongo4congress.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 10filingSalvesen listed on November 3 general-election ballot against incumbent Nikema Williams
Vote GA's race page, updated October 10–11, 2026, lists John 'Bongo' Salvesen (Republican) and incumbent Nikema Williams (Democrat) as the two candidates on the November 3 general-election ballot for Georgia's U.S. House District 5.
U.S. House — District 5 — 2026 Elections - votega.org · Oct 10, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 9newsSalvesen's iVoterGuide profile updated; questionnaire unanswered
The iVoterGuide profile for Salvesen was updated on October 9, 2026, listing him as a Republican candidate for the November 3 general election. Questionnaire entries are marked 'Did not answer,' with no endorsements, fundraising totals, polls, or policy statements provided. A contribution he made to state Republican party organizations in 2020 is noted, but no current-cycle fundraising is listed.
John "Bongo" Salvesen - Voter Guide · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - May 19filingSalvesen listed in Georgia's Republican primary for U.S. House District 5
John 'Bongo' Salvesen's voter-guide profile lists him as a participant in Georgia's Republican primary for U.S. House District 5 on May 19, 2026. Sources do not establish his primary result or describe campaign activity around it.
John "Bongo" Salvesen - Voter Guide · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Sources 5
- [1] U.S. House — District 5 — 2026 Elections - votega.org(opens in a new tab) Oct 10, 2026
- [2] John "Bongo" Salvesen - Voter Guide(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [3] Congressional Candidate Bongo | Stone Mountain, GA(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [4] John "BONGO" Salvesen — official campaign website(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [5] John "Bongo" Salvesen | AJC/ACC Voter Guide(opens in a new tab) Sep 24, 2024