Races in Georgia Happening Now

Georgia 6th Congressional District

A whopping 18 candidates are running to replace former Georgia Congressman Tom Price in the north Fulton-centered 6^th Congressional District. Top polling candidates include ex-congressional aide Jon Ossoff (D), former Secretary of State Karen Handel (R), former State Senator Judson Hill (R), businessman Dan Moody (R), and former Johns Creek City Councilman Bob Gray (R). Election Day will be held on April 18^th.

This race differs from most Georgia elections in that there are no Democratic and Republican primaries. Instead, all candidates, regardless of party, appear on the same ballot. In the likely event that no one exceeds 50%, the top two candidates will advance to a runoff scheduled for June 20^th.

An early rundown of this unique contest by the AJC mentioned that, historically, the 6^th has been a reliably Republican House seat. Once upon a time, the second Georgian to ever become Speaker of the U.S House of Representatives hailed from the 6^th’s metro-Atlanta suburbs. Newt Gingrich was later succeeded by now-U.S Senator Johnny Isakson in that very same House seat.

Polling for this race has shown Democrat Jon Ossoff as a safe bet to occupy one of the runoff slots to be held on June 20^th. The second spot will most likely go to one of the four top Republicans.

State Senate District 32

Former State Senator Judson Hill opting to run to replace Secretary Price triggered a subsequent special election in State Senate District 32. Eight candidates have qualified to fill this seat in the Georgia General Assembly, including attorney Gus Makris and orthopedic surgeon Kay Kirkpatrick.

The Marietta Daily Journal gives some more color to a race that has been overshadowed to a large degree by its congressional district neighbor. Election Day for this race will also be April 16^th, while the probable runoff would be held May 16^th.

Governor

Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp has announced his intentions to occupy the Governor’s Mansion on West Paces Ferry Road in January of 2019. Kemp held his campaign opener at the Cobb County GOP Breakfast on Saturday, April 1^st.

Be looking for more announcements in the race to become Georgia’s 83rd Governor in the coming months.

Secretary of State

A pair of Georgia House members have thrown their hat into the ring to become Georgia’s next Secretary of State. Rep. Buzz Brockway (R-Lawrenceville) and Rep. Brad Raffensperger (R – Johns Creek) aim to replace current Secretary of State Brian Kemp, who is running for Governor.