Runoff elections were held yesterday to decide final party nominees ahead of the General Election in November. Voter turnout was expectedly low at just under 12 percent.
Runoff elections were held yesterday to decide final party nominees ahead of the General Election in November. Voter turnout was expectedly low at just under 12 percent.
STATEWIDE RACES
In the race for Governor, Secretary of State Brian Kemp defeated Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle in a landslide victory receiving almost 70 percent of the vote. Kemp (R) will face Democrat Stacey Abrams (D) in November.
Former State Representative Geoff Duncan secured the Republican nomination for Lieutenant Governor over David Shafer, president pro tempore of the Senate, with less than 1 percent of the vote. In the May primary, Shafer barely fell short of winning the nomination outright. Duncan will face Sarah Riggs Amico (D) in November.
Brad Raffensperger decisively won the nomination for Secretary of State with more than 60 percent of the vote over David Belle Isle. Raffensperger will face former Congressman John Barrow (D) in November.
Otha Thornton beat Sid Chapman for the Democratic nomination for State School Superintendent and will face incumbent Richard Woods (R) in November.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY RACES
In the Georgia House of Representatives, there were eight runoffs. Notably, three of the candidates supported by MAC’s Political Action Committee (MACPAC) won their runoffs: Bonnie Rich (Duluth-area) Paula Hastings (Gwinnett County), and former representative Donna Sheldon (Gwinnett County). In November, Bonnie Rich will face Democrat Aisha Yaqoob, Paula Hastings will face Democrat Gregg Kennard, and Donna Sheldon will face Democrat Donna McLeod.
Additionally, the Georgia Coalition for Job Creation (GCJC) engaged in direct voter contact in support of Paula Hastings and Donna Sheldon. GCJC is an independent expenditure committee co-managed by the Metro Atlanta Chamber and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.
In May, GCJC helped defeat Rep. Jason Spencer (R-Woodbine) with Steven Sainz, a part-time deputy sheriff. Rep. Spencer was set to finish his term but resigned his seat last night after the fallout from his appearance on a recent “Who Is America?” episode from Showtime.
There were no runoffs for Senate seats.
CONGRESSIONAL RACES
In the race for the Democratic nomination for the 6th Congressional district, Lucy McBath overcame Kevin Abel and will face incumbent Congresswoman Karen Handel (R) in November.
In the 7th Congressional district, Carolyn Bourdeaux defeated David Kim to oppose Republican incumbent Congressman Rob Woodall.
Detailed results from the election are available here.
KEY ELECTION DATES
Tuesday, October 9 – Deadline to register to vote in the General Election
Monday, October 15 – Early voting begins
Saturday, October 27 – Saturday voting (one day only)
Friday, November 2 – Last day of early voting
Tuesday, November 6 – General Election day
