Nov. 4 marked an unusual “off-year” election day in Georgia. From a mayor facing legal issues being knocked out of the race to an unusual statewide election to fill two spots on the Public Service Commission, there is a lot to talk about.
Here are some of the big takeaways from Election Day:
Democrats Flip Georgia’s Public Service Commission Seats
For the first time in two decades, we saw Democrats score a major non-federal state-level victory, as Dr. Alicia Johnson and Peter Hubbard won two seats on Georgia’s Public Service Commission, the governing body that oversees energy policies. The Associated Press called the race for the Democrats, who both received 62% of the votes in their respective races.
Dr. Johnson, a nonprofit executive from Athens, defeated longtime commissioner Tim Echols (R) to win the seat for District 2. In a statement obtained by FOX 5Atlanta, Johnson says she plans to “ensure every Georgian has a voice at the table,” pledging to lower costs, modernize the grid, and make energy policy “that works for the people, not just the powerful.”
Meanwhile, Hubbard will represent District 3, replacing Republican incumbent Fitz Johnson. The Macon-based engineer pledges to provide greater transparency and oversight of Georgia Power.
“Affordability is front and center in voters’ minds,” Hubbard said. “I will work tirelessly to lower utility costs, bring more clean, reliable energy resources to this state, and refocus the Commission’s work on the public interest.”
Both Hubbard and Dr. Johnson will serve the remainder of their terms until the seats return to the ballot in 2026.
South Fulton: Controversial Incumbent Ousted As Race Heads to Runoff
The city of South Fulton will receive a new mayor…eventually.
None of the 9 mayoral candidates secured more than 51% of the votes during Tuesday’s election. That means that the top two vote-getters will participate in a special runoff election on December 2.
District 2 councilmember Carmalitha Gumbs received 39% of the votes on Tuesday. She will face off against former councilmember Dr. Mark Baker, who received 19% of the votes.
Whoever wins the runoff will officially replace current Mayor Khalid “Kobi” Kamau. Kamau was seeking re-election, but he landed in 6th place with only 4% of the votes.
Speaking before a packed crowd last night at the Hyatt Regency Downtown, he promises to build on the city’s “group project” of unity and progress.
While touting achievements from his first term, including a 44% drop in homicides and building more than 12,000 affordable housing units, he said, “Our success is undeniable. The group project of Atlanta is unstoppable.”
He pledges to focus his second term on addressing broader economic and political challenges, including supporting workers and seniors in the midst of the federal shutdown.
“Cities are being called upon to fill that gap,” Dickens said. “When the federal government doesn’t stand up for the people of Atlanta, the people of Atlanta stand up for themselves.”
He closed his speech with an endearing call for Atlantans to stay engaged and unite for the better of the city. “I love this city, and from the looks of it, this city loves me back,” Dickens said. “Let’s get to work, ATL.”
