Legislative special elections: Ralston's widow loses race to succeed late husband

Sam Watson wins State Senate race in South GA

The widow of former Georgia House Speaker David Ralston on Tuesday lost a special election to succeed her late husband, who represented mountainous North Georgia for many years.

Fannin County banker Johnny Chastain claimed victory in the race to succeed Ralston, who passed away last November at the age of 68. He defeated development authority leader Sheree Ralston, who had a significant fundraising advantage and a long list of endorsements that included Gov. Brian Kemp, Speaker Jon Burns and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.

Chastain’s campaign website describes him as a Constitutional Conservative and a Fiscal Conservative. He also says that his family has ties to North Georgia going back several generations.

“North Georgia is very special to me,” Chastain says. “This is the community my parents, grandparents, and great grandparents have chosen as home for the past 4 generations.  I am proud that my children all have chosen to also stay right here in the N. Ga Mountains as well.”

A few other legislative special elections were held on Tuesday. Republican Sam Watson won a State Senate race in South Georgia. A State House seat in Winder is set to remain in GOP hands after two Republicans advanced to a February 28 runoff. And Republican Charles Cannon won an uncontested race for a South Georgia House seat.