First off, at the risk of spoiling it – not a lot changed on the state level on Tuesday. Not a single congressional representative lost a race, and in the open seat of retiring Drew Ferguson in District 3 former Donald Trump aide Brian Jack won the race handily by more than 30 percent. Republicans have kept both chambers in the state legislature. There were no statewide offices on the ballot but there were a handful of items from Tuesday worth noting.
Among the notable items down the ballot is House District 53, a battleground district of sorts in Sandy Springs. Incumbent Republican Rep. Deborah Silcox faced a Democratic challenger in Susie Greenberg. Silcox had previously represented District 52 but lost to Democratic state Rep. Shea Roberts in 2020. Silcox won in a redistricted District 53 in 2022 and won on Tuesday by nearly 4 percent.
Just southwest of District 53 is District 42, which featured a race between Democratic Socialist Gabriel Sanchez and Republican Diane Jackson. Sanchez ran away with it, leading by nearly 30 percent of the vote at press time. Sanchez’ win is historic for Georgia.
“We just elected the first openly Democratic Socialist candidate in the state legislature of Georgia,” said Sanchez at a post-election rally. “We won a huge victory in the state legislature tonight. We are going to change things in Georgia.” His win is the culmination of a primary challenge and win over incumbent state Rep. Teri Anulewicz, who had been in the House since 2017.
Down on the district attorney level, two district attorney races were garnering some attention. In Chatham County, Shalena Cook Jones faced a tough challenge from Republican Andre Pretorius who received support from some big names, including Governor Brian Kemp’s PAC and former U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler. Jones hung on by some 7 percent.
In Athens, Democrat Deborah Gonzalez has been facing criticism for years from Republicans and the death of Laken Riley earlier this year may have put her even more in the spotlight. Gonzelez was the first elected Latina district attorney in Georgia but her focus on diversion programs and shorter sentences led Republicans to question her commitment to holding criminals accountable. The voters agreed and her challenge from Kalki Yalamanchili was a blowout. Yalamanchili – an independent – won with nearly 60 percent of the vote.
“Deborah Gonzalez has been defeated — a great night for Clarke and Oconee counties! Time to restore common sense in the District Attorney’s office and hold criminals accountable,” said State Rep. Houston Gaines (R-120). “Congratulations, Kalki Yalamanchili!”
More election results and breakdowns to come from James Online.
