One of the most closely watched General Assembly races this year will undoubtedly be House District 80. Bordered by Buford Highway on the south and I-285 and Spalding Drive on the north, High Point Road on the west and North Thompson on the east, the district is shaped something like a melted ninja star. Snaking in and out of neighborhoods in the new-ish city of Brookhaven, and portions of Chamblee, Dunwoody and Sandy Springs, the district is potentially the most sought after by both Democrats and Republicans in November. Due to a number of factors, there are few seats in Georgia that are really “flippable”, or able to be won by either party, and HD 80 is one of them.
The Democrats and Taylor Bennett won a somewhat surprise victory in a tough race in a special election last year. Prior to that, the district was largely considered safe Republican but was opened up due to Mike Jacobs’ resignation after his appointment to a judgeship by Governor Nathan Deal. Bennett’s win was one of few bright spots for Democrats in a largely Republican state. His win also meant the Fulton County House delegation would be majority Democrat, an often over-looked piece of the electoral puzzle regarding local issues.
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