GA GOP sweeps state offices, holds legislative majorities

GOP holds on to state government

Brad Raffensperger

Gov. Brian Kemp and Georgia Republicans scored outright wins in every state office race on Tuesday, even as the race for U.S. Senate barrels toward a December 6 runoff. They also appear to have retained their majorities in both chambers of the state legislature.

The victories came in spite of Georgia Democrats recruiting a strong and diverse slate of candidates. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger fended off a fierce challenge from State Rep. Bee Nguyen, a Democrat from Atlanta who was seeking to become the first Asian-American to win a statewide election in Georgia.

Attorney General Chris Carr defeated Democratic State Sen. Jen Jordan, an Atlanta lawyer who hammered the GOP incumbent for his support of anti-abortion laws. State Sen. Burt Jones, who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump, is now set to become Georgia’s next Lieutenant Governor after defeating Democrat Charlie Bailey, a former prosecutor.

Republican Bruce Thompson defeated Democrat William Boddie in the race for Labor Commissioner. And State Sen. Tyler Harper won the open race for Agriculture Commissioner, defeating Democrat Nakita Hemingway. Harper is seen by many observers as a potential candidate for higher office later in the decade.

Insurance Commissioner John King, the state’s first Hispanic statewide officeholder, secured a full term on Tuesday after defeating Democrat Janice Laws-Robinson, an insurance agent. And State School Superintendent Richard Woods turned back a challenge from Democrat Alisha Thomas Searcy.

The Republican victories mean that Democrats will be shut out of statewide constitutional offices for the fourth midterm cycle in a row — dashing the party’s hopes of expanding their federal gains down to the state level.

Republicans also easily held onto their majorities in the state legislature after redrawing the political maps to protect their most vulnerable members. In the State Senate, Republicans are projected to hold 33 seats to the Democrats’ 23. The House is set to have 100 Republicans and 79 Democrats, with one race still uncalled.

Democrats managed to hold two open Senate seats in the North Atlanta suburbs. Atlanta school board chairman Jason Esteves won the Senate district that was held by Jen Jordan, and progressive activist Nabilah Islam narrowly won in a Duluth-based seat.

State Rep. Josh McLaurin will move across the hall to the State Senate after defeating Republican Fulton County Commissioner Liz Hausmann in a closely-watched race in North Fulton. State Rep. Ed Setzler, a Republican from Cobb County who authored the 2019 abortion ban, will also be moving over to the Senate.

In the state House, Democrats managed to make a net gain of 2 seats. Democrats Lisa Campbell and Solomon Adesanya won open House seats in Cobb County. And State Sen. Michelle Au will now move to the House after winning an open seat in Johns Creek.

But former State Rep. Deborah Silcox will be returning to the Gold Dome in January after winning a competitive seat north of Atlanta. And Scott Hilton, another former GOP state lawmaker, defeated Democratic State Rep. Mary Robichaux in North Fulton.