There are several special elections around the state tomorrow but one watched closely by both the Republican and Democrat parties is state Senate District 6. It includes part of Cobb County that borders a section of Sandy Springs and then goes into Buckhead within the city of Atlanta. It was represented by GOP Sen. Hunter Hill before he resigned to run for governor, and now both Republican and Democrat candidates are all running in a free-for-all.
In checking the financial disclosures, conservative attorney Leah Aldridge certainly has the advantage among the Republican candidates in both funds raised (though a lot consists of loans) and cash left on hand. She had raised (including loans) over $300,000 so far. Democrat contender Jennifer Jordan had raised almost $235,000, which is also pretty impressive.
In the Buckhead part of the district there’s a GOP yard sign battle between Aldridge and developer Charlie Fiveash, with a small number of Matt Bentley signs and fewer signs for either Kathy Eichenblatt or Leo Smith. (In last year’s general election, about 30 percent of the district’s registered voters were in Buckhead.)
Driving through eastern Sandy Springs (High Point Road/Windsor Parkway), there aren’t many signs for anyone in this Republican area . To the extent that there are some, it seems there are more for Aldridge. Without a contested mayor’s race, turnout in Sandy Springs probably will be pretty low this time— early voting totals at the North Fulton Government Center and Sandy Springs Library have been minimal as of last Friday.
Turnout picked up last week, though, at the Buckhead early voting locations— Northside Parkway Library near the OK Café and the Buckhead Library in heart of the business district.
District voters have gotten more direct mail from Aldridge than anyone else— and very little from Smith and Eichenblatt. Aldridge also has the most detailed positions of any candidate (health care, capping property taxes, etc.) in her mailings.
Liberal Jordan has been locked in a battle with fellow Democrat candidate Dr. Jaha Howard. In fact, Jordan attacked Howard for holding traditional Christian Biblical beliefs in order to garner far-left, secular voters.
Turnout in the district last November when Hill was narrowly re-elected over Howard was about 81,000. It would be a surprise if turnout tomorrow was even half that— a third (maybe upper 20,000s) would probably be good given this is a special election.
