ATLANTA (AP) - Georgia incumbents of both parties largely survived Tuesday’s primary elections, temporarily debunking theories that political experience has become a fatal trait.
But two Democratic members of the state House did lose to challengers, and two GOP House members were forced into July 26 runoffs.
Here’s a closer look at Tuesday’s results:
INCUMBENT STRENGTH
Nearly all incumbents from both parties avoided defeat or a forced July runoff election.
In Congressional races, U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson held off two Republican challengers, and all five GOP House members defeated their primary opponents. The group includes Rep. Barry Loudermilk of the 11th District, who defeated four opponents, and Rep. Doug Collins of the 9th District, who topped former congressman Paul Broun and three others to almost certainly keep the seat.
Public Service Commissioner Tim Echols defeated two Republicans seeking his seat.
In state legislative races, 44 of the 49 incumbents challenged in both parties won on Tuesday. House Speaker David Ralston of Blue Ridge and other powerful leaders in both chambers were among the victors.
RUNOFF RACES
Key contests that appear headed for July 26 runoffs include the Republican primary for Cobb County chairman, according to unofficial results. Incumbent Tim Lee trailed Mike Boyce in the race. Boyce, a retired Marines Corps colonel, portrayed the race as a referendum on Lee’s push to bring the Atlanta Braves’ stadium to Cobb County. No Democratic candidate qualified for November, meaning the runoff winner almost certainly wins the position.
Elsewhere in the state, a field of seven Republicans hoping to replace retiring Rep. Lynn Westmoreland in the 3rd Congressional District was narrowed to two. State Sen. Mike Crane of Newnan and former West Point Mayor Drew Ferguson will compete in the July runoff after a neck-and-neck finish.
In challenges to state legislative incumbents, Republican Reps. Tom Dickson of Cohutta and John Yates of Griffin were forced into July runoffs for their House seats. One House Democrat, Rep. Darryl Jordan of Riverdale, also will compete in July to become his party’s nominee for that seat. Eight legislative races without an incumbent in the field also require runoffs between the top two candidates.
Two Democratic House members lost to challengers on Tuesday: Reps. Rahn Mayo of Decatur and Earnest Smith of Augusta.
TIGHT TO THE END
A handful of Tuesday’s races remained too close to call on Wednesday. Those contests include:
- In the 3rd Congressional District’s Democratic primary, former health care worker Angela Pendley of Grantville and pastor Tamarkus Cook of Newnan were separated by fewer than 50 votes in unofficial results. The nominee will compete against the winner of a July 26 runoff for Republican candidates.
- Lee Anderson, a Grovetown farmer, advanced to a runoff in the GOP primary to replace retiring Republican state Sen. Bill Jackson of Appling. But the contest for the second runoff candidate remained too tight between Evans business owner Gregory Grzybowski and Evans real estate broker Joe Edge.
- Tiger contractor Matt Gurtler will compete in the July runoff for Republican Rep. Stephen Allison’s seat. His challenger remains unclear. Teacher Kent Woener and insurance professional Joshua Littrell were close in unofficial results.
TURNOUT UNCLEAR
Secretary of State Brian Kemp’s office hadn’t released information yet Wednesday about the percent of registered voters who cast ballots on Tuesday.
The U.S. Senate primaries were the only statewide races on both political parties’ ballots Tuesday. According to unofficial results, fewer than 900,000 people voted in that race. An estimated 575,822 ballots were cast in the Republican race, won by incumbent U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson. An estimated 308,694 ballots were cast in the Democratic primary, won by Atlanta investment manager Jim Barksdale.
Georgia held presidential primaries earlier this year, joining 12 other states on March 1. More than 2 million Georgians voted in either the Democratic or Republican presidential primary.
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