Georgia’s Sixth Congressional District
The national media spotlight was turned on north metro Atlanta Tuesday night as a closely watched U.S House special election came down to the wire. Eighteen candidates squared off to replace Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tom Price in Congress, with two top vote-getters heading to a June 20th runoff.

As early votes trickled in from DeKalb, Cobb, and Fulton counties, it seemed the reliably Republican 6th District could send a Democrat to Washington for the first time in decades. Democrat Jon Ossoff had been the beneficiary of national media attention and the assistance of national Democratic campaign groups. His fundraising totals also showed him raking in north of $8 million, dwarfing the hauls of his Republican and Democratic rivals. Polling of the race had him within striking distance of the 50% mark needed to avoid a two-candidate runoff.

As the results from Election Day and more Republican-leaning precincts were tallied, Ossoff’s percentage fell below 50% where it would remain for the rest of the evening. Facing Ossoff in the June 20th runoff will be former Georgia Secretary of State, Karen Handel. Handel posted strong numbers in her native Fulton County and ran ahead of her ten Republican colleagues in Cobb and DeKalb counties. Handel’s 19.7% was enough to beat out the remainder of the field, which included former Johns Creek city councilman Bob Gray, former state senator Dan Moody, and former state senator Judson Hill.

State Senate District 32
The special election to replace former state senator Judson Hill will advance to a May 16th runoff between the top two contenders after votes were counted Tuesday evening. Republican Kay Kirkpatrick and Democrat Christine Triebsch will compete to represent the Cobb-centric District 32 in the state senate. Triebsch edged out Kirkpatrick 24%-21% for the top spot in Tuesday’s first round of voting.

 

As we enter the runoff stage of this race, the Georgia Chamber will continue to evaluate each candidate’s positions on issues of importance to Georgia businesses. Make sure to follow us on social media and stay up to date through the next Chamber Connection for more information!

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