The Outcome of the Georgia May 2024 Primary Elections
The May 2024 primary elections in Georgia have ended, marking a significant step in shaping the political future of our state and Cobb County. Voters across the county have made their voices heard, selecting candidates to represent them in the upcoming general elections in November. Below, we provide a detailed breakdown of the primary results for key positions, highlighting the winners and the races heading to runoff elections.
Congressional Representative Seats
The primaries for Congressional House of Representative seats were fiercely contested across Georgia’s districts. In the 6th District, Democrat Representative Lucy McBath (after being redrawn into another district) emerged victorious, securing her place on the ballot for November, along with the uncontested Republican candidate Jeff Criswell. The 11th District saw Republican Barry Loudermilk win a decisive victory, reflecting strong voter support, and will be facing the Democrat candidate Katy ”Kate” L. Stamper in the general elections. In the 14th District, the uncontested Republican incumbent Marjorie Taylor Greene must wait until after the June 18th run-off elections to see her opponent. Each of these candidates will now prepare to represent their districts in the general election, focusing on addressing the key issues that matter to you.
State Senate Seats
The State Senate races for Cobb County saw very few opposing party races, making way for most incumbents not having to face a challenger in November. District 28, incumbent Democrat State Senator Donzella James; District 32, incumbent Republican State Senator Kay Kirkpatrick; District 33, incumbent Democrat State Senator Michael Doc Rhett; District 35, incumbent Democrat State Senator Jason Esteves. However, in District 37, incumbent Republican State Senator Ed Setzler will be facing Democrat candidate Vanessa Ella Parker, along with District 56, incumbent Republican State Senator John Albers and Democrat candidate JD Jordan in the November general elections, where they will campaign to secure seats in the Georgia State Senate, advocating for policies that will benefit their districts and the state as a whole.
State House of Representatives Seats
The primaries for the State House of Representatives saw numerous Cobb County candidates vying for nominations. They will be the most competitive come this fall, with only five (5) out of sixteen (16) races not facing an opponent in the general elections: District 36, uncontested incumbent Republican State Representative Ginny Ehrhart, District 38, incumbent Democrat State Representative David Wilkerson, District 39, uncontested incumbent Democrat State Representative Terry Cummings, District 43, uncontested incumbent Democrat State Representative Solomon Adesanya, District 61, Democrat candidate Mekyah McQueen. Districts 22, 42, and 61 were the only three (3) races with contested candidates, with District 42 having the incumbent unseated by a community activist.
District 19 incumbent Republican State Representative Joseph Gullett vs. candidate Democrat RJ Coyle
District 22 incumbent Republican State Representative Jordan Ridley vs. candidate Democrat James “JL” Shade
District 34 incumbent Republican State Representative Devan Seabaugh vs. candidate Democrat Karl Gallegos
District 35 incumbent Democrat State Representative Lisa Gayle Campbell vs. candidate Republican Gary Cecil Chaffee
District 37 incumbent Democrat State Representative Mary Frances Williams vs. candidate Republican Shea Taylor
District 41 incumbent Democrat State Representative Michael Smith vs. candidate Republican Andrea Smith
District 42 candidate Democrat Gabriel Sanchez vs. candidate Republican Diane Jackson
District 44 incumbent Republican State Representative Don L. Parsons vs. candidate Democrat Danielle Bell
District 45 incumbent Republican State Representative Sharon Cooper vs. candidate Democrat Eric Castater
District 46 incumbent Republican State Representative John Carson vs. candidate Democrat Michael Garza
District 60 incumbent Democrat State Representative Sheila Jones vs. candidate Republican Cathy G. Henson
These candidates, driven by an intense sense of purpose, will represent their parties in the general elections, focusing on legislative agendas that aim to improve the lives of Georgians and, in particular, Cobb County residents, inspiring a brighter future for all.
County District Attorney
The primary for District Attorney was particularly noteworthy. Sonya F. Allen, the Democratic candidate, unseated the Democratic incumbent, Flynn D. Broady, Jr., by 9.4%. Since there was no Republican candidate, this victory set the stage for the future of justice and upholding the rule of law in Cobb County.
County Sheriff
In the race for Sheriff, David Cavender won the Republican primary and will face Craig D. Owens, Sr., which positions them as candidates for the November elections. There they will compete to become Cobb County’s top law enforcement officer, focusing on maintaining public safety and order.
Cobb County Clerk of Superior Court
The primary race for Cobb County Clerk of Superior Court saw a fiercely contested battle among the Democratic candidates, with four candidates vying for the position. Ultimately, Democrat Incumbent Connie Taylor emerged victorious, ready to represent the party in the general election. On the Republican side, the race was straightforward, with Deborah Dance running unopposed, securing their place on the November ballot without contest.
Cobb County Clerk of State Court
The primary race for Cobb County Clerk of State Court was straightforward, with both Democratic and Republican candidates running unopposed. Tahnicia Phillips secured the Democratic nomination, while the incumbent, Robin C. Bishop, won the Republican nomination. These two candidates will now face each other in the general election in November, setting the stage for a competitive race.
Cobb County Clerk Tax Commissioner
The Cobb County Tax Commissioner primaries featured a competitive race within the Democratic Party, with only two candidates vying for the position. The incumbent, Carla Jackson, faced a strong challenge from Jan Becker but ultimately won the race. This highlights the Tax Commissioner’s critical role in managing the county’s finances and tax collections. This office is vital for ensuring the efficient allocation of resources and maintaining fiscal responsibility within Cobb County.
Commissioners
The primary race for the Cobb County Commissioner Chair saw one Republican candidate, Kay Morgan, running unopposed while two candidates competed for the Democratic nomination. The Democratic primary resulted in a victory for the incumbent, Lisa N. Cupid, securing their place in the general election. In District 2, the Republican candidate, Pamela Reardon, ran uncontested, whereas the Democrats are heading to a runoff to determine their candidate. District 4 had no Republican candidate, but two candidates contested the Democratic race. The incumbent, Monique Sheffield, emerged victorious in this primary, ensuring their spot on the November ballot. These results highlight the competitive nature of the county commissioner seats and the importance of strong leadership in local governance.
County School Board
The Cobb County School Board elections saw several uncontested races across multiple districts. In Districts 1, 5, and 7, the Republican and Democratic candidates ran unopposed, setting the stage for direct contests between each party’s candidate in the November general election. These matchups will be crucial for shaping the future of the county’s educational policies. Meanwhile, District 3 featured an uncontested race with only the Democratic incumbent, Leroy Tre’ Hutchins, on the ballot, ensuring their continuation in office. Voters will have a choice in November to determine the direction of the Cobb County School Board.
Judges
Judicial races are critical for maintaining a fair and balanced legal system. During this primary election, Cobb residents were able to vote on four (4) Supreme Court, seven (7) Court of Appeals, eight (8) Superior Court, six (6) State Court Division 1, two (2) State Court Division 2, Probate Court, and Magistrate Court Judges. These races underscore the importance of judicial experience and integrity, setting the stage for the general elections, where these candidates will compete to uphold justice and fairness in the judiciary.
RUNOFF ELECTIONS – JUNE 18, 2024
Several races did not result in a candidate receiving more than 50% of the vote, leading to runoff elections scheduled for June 18, 2024.
These runoffs will determine the final candidates for several key positions, ensuring that the eventual candidates have broad support. The races heading to a runoff include
- US House of Representative 14th District: Democrat candidate Clarence Blalock vs. Democrat candidate Shawn ”General” Harris
- Cobb County Commissioner District 2: Democrat candidate Jaha V. Howard vs. Democrat candidate Erick E. Allen
If you missed the May primary, you could still vote in the runoff, provided you registered between April 22, 2024, (and May 20, 2024, for US Federal Office).
The deadline to request an absentee ballot is June 7, 2024. Advance voting begins on June 10, 2024, and runs through June 14, 2024.
The importance of voting in the runoff elections cannot be overstated. Runoff elections are critical to the democratic process, ensuring that the final candidates represent the majority’s choice. By participating in the runoff elections, voters help secure the most qualified and broadly supported candidates for the general election. Your vote on June 18th is just as important as your vote in the primary, as it helps finalize the decision on who will best represent your interests and values.
Conclusion
The May 2024 primary elections in Georgia have set the stage for an exciting and pivotal general election in November. With diverse candidates advancing, the coming months will be filled with robust campaigns and critical discussions about Georgia’s, in particularly Cobb County’s future. Stay informed, stay engaged, and make sure your voice is heard in the upcoming June runoff elections and the November general election. Every vote counts in shaping the direction of our state and ensuring that our leaders reflect the values and priorities of the people they serve.