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Key Points
- Republicans likely to retain dominance in the Statehouse
- Five Gen Z candidates running for seats
- Surge in early voting turnout should help down-ballot races
Georgians are engrossed in the contentious presidential race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.
Keep in mind, though, all 236 members of Georgia’s House and Senate are up for reelection in November. Many are incumbents who’ll easily win a return to the Capitol in January. Yet there are some down-ballot races to keep an eye on, including five Statehouse races featuring Generation Z candidates.
With a week to go before the general election, here’s a refresher on key state races to consider.
What’s at stake for Georgians in the November election?
- Expect more voters, which could help down-ballot candidates. Turnout in the May primary was 50% lower than in 2020, but voter engagement seems to be surging heading into the general election. As of Tuesday afternoon, over 3 million Georgians have cast ballots either in person or by mail. The likely reason: voters’ renewed interest once Harris entered the presidential race against Trump.
- Redistricting could be an unknown wrinkle in the election. But Georgia’s redrawn maps essentially ensure “Republicans are going to continue to be running the state,” said Charles Bullock III, a University of Georgia political science professor who has followed Georgia politics for over 50 years.
- Republicans are expected to maintain their majority, but Democrats are likely to weaken the GOP dominance.
Key races to watch
Senate
District 7: Republican entrepreneur Gregory Howard faces Sen. Nabilah Islam Parkes, D-Duluth, a first-term legislator from Gwinnett County.
District 27: Incumbent Sen. Greg Dolezal, R-Cumming, faces Democratic challenger Hamza Nazir. Nazir is a technical consultant who works for a regional airport in metro Atlanta. He is one of five Gen Z candidates running for Statehouse seats.
District 34 (Riverdale): Democrat Kenya Wicks, chief of staff to Sen. Valencia Seay, faces Republican Andrew Honeycutt, a business and economic development executive. Seay announced her departure in May after 20 years in office.
District 48: Gen Z Democratic challenger Ashwin Ramaswami faces incumbent Sen. Shawn Still, R-Norcross. Still, a pool contractor, was indicted along with Trump and others last year on charges they interfered with the 2020 Georgia election results.
District 53: Controversial incumbent Sen. Colton Moore, R-Trenton, faces Democratic challenger Bart Bryant, an electrician.
District 55: Democratic former state Rep. Randal Mangham faces Republican challenger Mary Williams Benefield, who has worked in accounting. The winner will succeed Senate Majority Leader Gloria Butler, who is retiring.
House
District 42: Gen Z Democrat Gabriel Sanchez faces Republican challenger Diane Jackson, a Smyrna business owner. Incumbent Rep. Teri Anulewicz, D-Atlanta, lost in the May primary.
District 56 (Atlanta): Incumbent Rep. Mesha Mainor, R-Atlanta, faces Bryce Berry, a Gen Z Democrat and an Atlanta middle school teacher.
District 131: Republican business owner Rob Clifton faces Democrat Heather White, an Army veteran. Incumbent Rep. Jodi Lott, R-Evans, did not seek reelection.
District 145 (Macon area): Teacher and small-business owner Tangie Herring, a Democrat, faces Republican insurance agent Noah Redding Harbuck to represent this newly created majority-Black district.
District 158: Gen Z Democratic challenger Madeline Ryan Smith faces longtime incumbent Rep. Larry “Butch” Parrish, R-Swainsboro.
District 180 (coastal Georgia, including Camden County and parts of Glynn County and Jekyll Island): Incumbent Rep. Steven Sainz, R-St. Marys, faces Democrat Defonsio Daniels, a former Marine and federal police officer.
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Have questions? Contact Tammy Joyner on X @lvjoyner or at [email protected].
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