U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson didn’t have to wait long to celebrate, as his primary race against token opposition was called in his favor nearly as soon as the first results came in.
The battle to decide his opponent in November, on the other hand, wasn’t nearly as smooth. Democrat Jim Barksdale, who had been all but crowned as the Democratic nominee by the state party in previous weeks, (much to the chagrin of his opponents) squeaked out a win over Cheryl Copeland with 53% of the vote. He will avoid a runoff and has much of the summer and fall to show off his bonafides to a skeptical Democratic base.
In the lower house, incumbent U.S. Rep. Doug Collins made short work of former Congressman Paul Broun, who despite a slash and burn campaign couldn’t manage to drag Collins under 50% of the vote and will not force a runoff for the seat. Mike Crane and Drew Ferguson will square off in a runoff to replace Lynn Westmoreland.
Further down the ballot, several incumbent State Senators staved off primary challengers, including Fran Millar, Bill Cowsert, Charlie Bethel, and Rules Chairman Jeff Mullis. District 19 will have a new Senator, as young Blake Tillery, already endorsed by the retiring Tommie Williams, avoided a runoff to take the seat over two challengers. In other results District 24 will see a runoff between Lee Anderson and — to likely replace Bill Jackson, who announced his retirement earlier this year, while Matt Brass defeated his opponent by a wide margin to replace Congressional hopeful Mike Crane in District 28.
In the State House, key results include Speaker of the House David Ralston once again fending his usual token challenge, with fellow incumbents Howard Maxwell, Tommy Benton, Terry England, and Brandon Beach, among others, doing the same.
Meagan Hanson and Alan Cole moved on to a runoff in a highly contested race for HD 80, with the winner taking on Democratic upstart Taylor Bennett in November.
Popular Public Service Commissioner Tim Echols sailed to an easy win over two rivals in the lone PSC race on the ballot.
More analysis to come later in the week on all the top races statewide.
