State Legislative Special Elections
Special elections are critical mechanisms used to fill vacancies in legislative bodies that occur between regularly scheduled general elections. These vacancies can arise from several circumstances, including the death of an incumbent, resignations for new professional opportunities, or shifts in political candidacy. Recent special elections across various districts have reshaped the composition of the state legislature.
Key Facts
- House District 7 was filled by Johnny Chastain following a runoff election.
- Senate District 11 was won outright by Sam Watson.
- House District 172 was won unopposed by Charles Cannon.
- Vacancies were triggered by a mix of deaths, resignations, and strategic political moves.
- Several districts saw multiple candidates from the same political party competing for the seat.
House District Vacancies and Results
House District 7
A special election was convened on January 3 to fill the seat previously held by House Speaker David Ralston (R), who passed away on November 16, 2022. The race featured five qualified candidates, all of whom were Republicans. After the initial vote, Sheree Ralston and Johnny Chastain advanced to a runoff on January 31, where Johnny Chastain emerged as the winner.
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House District 119
The vacancy in House District 119 occurred after representative-elect Danny Rampey (R) indicated he would resign shortly after being sworn in on January 9, 2023. The special election took place on January 31. Holt Persinger (R) won the seat, defeating a field that included Republican runoff candidate Charles Chase III, as well as Bill Ritter (R), Renee Lord (R), Joseph Grodzicki (R), Joe Price (R), and Democrat Shelbey Diamond Alexander.
House District 172
This seat became vacant when Sam Watson (R) resigned his House position to pursue a seat in Senate District 11. In the special election held on January 31, Republican Charles Cannon won the seat without opposition.
House District 75
Following the resignation of Mike Glanton (D), a special election was held on March 21. Democrat Eric Bell II won the seat outright, defeating fellow Democrat Herman "Drew" Andrews and Republican Della Ashley.
House District 68
The vacancy in House District 68 followed the death of Tish Naghise (D). In the special election held on May 16, Democrat Derrick Jackson defeated Democrat Mark Baker to secure the position.
Senate District Vacancies
Senate District 11
Incumbent Dean Burke (R) resigned from the Georgia State Senate on December 30, 2022, to transition into a role as the chief medical officer at the Georgia Department of Community Health. The special election was held on January 31, where Republican Sam Watson won outright, defeating Democrat Mary Weaver-Anderson and Libertarian John Monds.
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Special Election Summary Table
| District | Election Date | Winner | Party | Reason for Vacancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| House District 7 | Jan 31 (Runoff) | Johnny Chastain | R | Death of David Ralston |
| House District 119 | Jan 31 | Holt Persinger | R | Resignation of Danny Rampey |
| Senate District 11 | Jan 31 | Sam Watson | R | Resignation of Dean Burke |
| House District 172 | Jan 31 | Charles Cannon | R | Resignation of Sam Watson |
| House District 75 | Mar 21 | Eric Bell II | D | Resignation of Mike Glanton |
| House District 68 | May 16 | Derrick Jackson | D | Death of Tish Naghise |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are special elections held?
Special elections are held to fill a legislative seat that becomes vacant before the end of a term, typically due to the death, resignation, or removal of the sitting representative.
What happened in the House District 7 election?
Following the death of Speaker David Ralston, five Republicans competed for the seat. Johnny Chastain won the position after defeating Sheree Ralston in a runoff election on January 31.
Who won the Senate District 11 special election?
Republican Sam Watson won the Senate District 11 seat outright on January 31, defeating candidates from the Democratic and Libertarian parties.
How was the vacancy in House District 172 filled?
The vacancy was created when Sam Watson resigned to run for the State Senate. Republican Charles Cannon won the subsequent special election without facing any opposition.
Which Democratic candidates won special elections?
Democrat Eric Bell II won the House District 75 special election, and Democrat Derrick Jackson won the House District 68 special election.