- A total of 10 candidates, five Democrats and five Republicans, were on the ballot in two special elections for Georgia's General Assembly.
- Among the more notable candidates for the seat are former state Rep. Tim Bearden and Republican National Committee Youth Advisory Council co-chair CJ Pearson.
- If no candidate receives a majority of votes in either election on February 13th, the race will head to a runoff election on March 12th, which coincides with Georgia's presidential primary.
Five candidates are running in special elections for Georgia Senate seats west of Atlanta and state House seats near Augusta.
The Feb. 13 vote to replace Republican Mike Dugan in Senate District 30 and Rep. Barry Fleming in House District 125 concluded on Wednesday. Mr. Dugan resigned to run for Congress, while Gov. Brian Kemp installed Mr. Fleming as Superior Court judge on Wednesday. .
Members of all political parties jointly run in special elections without primaries to select candidates. If no candidate wins a majority by February 13th, the top two candidates will advance to a runoff election on March 12th, the same time as Georgia's presidential primary.
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Republicans running in the Senate race include former state Rep. Tim Bearden of Carrollton, real estate agent Renee Bell of Tallapoosa, contract administrator Amber Nixon of Carrollton, and consultant Robert “Bob” ” – Mr. Smith. Carrollton resident Ashley Keskes Godwin is running for the Democratic Party. The district covers all of Haralson County and portions of Carroll, Douglas, and Paulding counties.
Bearden was elected to the state House of Representatives four times before former Governor Nathan Deal appointed him director of the Georgia Public Safety Training Center. Mr. Bearden is currently a government relations manager for an advertising company. He is a former police officer who pushed for gun rights during his time in Congress.
Aerial drone view of Atlanta showing the Georgia State Capitol. (Joe Soum/Visions of America/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
“My goal is to make sure this district is set up for a prosperous future,” Bearden told Carrollton radio station WLBB-AM on Tuesday. He said he would call for stronger criminal penalties for those who traffic fentanyl and harm police officers and firefighters.
Bell is a real estate agent, wife of Haralson County Schools Superintendent Jerry Bell, and past president of the Greater Haralson Chamber of Commerce. She said Bell said she aims to promote limited government, entrepreneurship and self-reliance.
“As a small business owner, the 'Make America Great Again' movement resonated with me. The Trump economy has brought unprecedented prosperity, brought hope for the future of our grandchildren, and restored a sense of security in our communities. “Bell said in a statement.
Republicans running for the House include conservative commentator CJ Pearson of Grovetown, Columbia County Commissioner and car wash owner Gary Richardson (Evans), and farmer James Steed (Grovetown). , software developer John Terpish (Grovetown), and others. Kaye Turner, a Grovetown hairdresser, is the only Democrat running for office. The district covers parts of Columbia and McDuffie counties.
Pearson, who is currently the national co-chair of the Republican National Committee's Youth Advisory Council, gained attention as a black middle school student who posted videos supporting Republican causes.
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Richardson cannot run for re-election as commissioner due to an eight-year term limit.
