Crowded field in special election for House seat

Five Republicans and one Democrat have qualified to run in the Dec. 9 special election for the District 23 State House seat left vacant with the passing of Rep. Mandi Ballenger, who died after a long battle with cancer. The candidate elected to fill this seat, which covers Canton and unincorporated parts of Cherokee County, will fill out the remainder of Ballinger’s term.

With several candidates in the race, many expect it to go to a runoff, which will be held Jan. 6 – just before the 2026 session of the Georgia General Assembly kicks off.

Republicans in the race are: Will Fincher, Brice Futch, Ann Gazell, Rajpal Sagoo and William Ware. The lone Democrat is Scott Sanders.