Georgia Republicans settled two congressional nominations in Tuesday runoffs, with a former federal official defeating a man who was convicted for illegally demonstrating inside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and an ex-aide to Donald Trump winning in a race for an open seat in another district. Meanwhile Democrats chose their candidate to run against Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene in the November general election. The two parties were also picking nominees in eight state legislative runoffs where no one won a majority in the May 21 primaries. Former U.S. Education Department official Wayne Johnson beat convicted Jan. 6 offender Chuck Hand for the Republican nomination in the 2nd Congressional District. Johnson will challenge 16-term Democratic incumbent Rep. Sanford Bishop in the district, which includes some of the state’s poorest counties.
Johnson, the top vote-getter in the four-way May 21 primary, is promising a solutions-focused approach that pays closer attention to the area’s needs, including its military bases. He believes Bishop hasn’t done enough to improve economic conditions in the region. In the 3rd Congressional District, former Trump aide Brian Jack defeated former state Senate Majority Leader Mike Dugan for the Republican nomination. Jack, endorsed by Trump, will be favored against Democrat Maura Keller in November to succeed Republican U.S. Rep Drew Ferguson, who is stepping down after four terms. Jack is banking on his alignment with Trump and his connections in Washington to achieve his goals in Congress, including extending tax cuts and cracking down on immigration.
In the Democratic contest to challenge Greene in the 14th District, retired Army general and rancher Shawn Harris bested Clarence Blalock. Harris faces an uphill battle in the strongly Republican district. Nominees in eight state legislative seats were also decided in runoffs. Republican incumbent Steven Sainz held on to his House District 180 seat in Camden and Glynn counties, defeating challenger Glenn Cook. Sainz will face Democrat Defonsio Daniels in November. In Senate District 34 in Clayton and Fayette counties, military veteran and Democratic activist Kenya Wicks defeated former state Rep. Valencia Stovall for the Democratic nomination.
Wicks, who was endorsed by party organizations, will face Republican Andrew Honeycutt for the open seat. Overall, the runoff election results in Georgia saw Republicans solidifying their nominations in key congressional races while Democrats made their choices for upcoming general elections. The outcome of these races will have significant implications for the political landscape in Georgia and beyond. With the campaigns now set for the general election in November, both parties are gearing up for what is expected to be a contentious battle for control of various seats in the state legislature and Congress. The winners of these races will have the opportunity to shape policies and represent their constituents on key issues affecting Georgia and the nation.
