**Open Thread: GA’s 2016 Primary (A Most Wonderful Time of the Year)**
The time has drawn nigh for the closing of the polls across Georgia. It is time for political geeks and nerds to get excited about the results that will most definitely be painstakingly slow in coming in. Browsers will be refreshed. Races will be predicted and called all across Twitter and Facebook by numerous political pundits that will undeniably (to them) reflect their genius. Movers and shakers will groan and/or celebrate. Political consultants will be calling looking for their next candidate or possibly adding another victorious name on their website.
Take this opportunity to discuss, chatter, predict, etc. as the results gloriously roll in. (And be nice.)
You can see the results of the races on the Secretary of State’s website.
To see local election results in each County, use this link. (There is an alphabetical list under the map if you haven’t brushed up on GA geography.)
Updates can be seen after the break.
EARLY RESULTS (8:30 p.m.)
Sen. Johnny Isakson, PSC Commissioner Tim Echols, Rep. Austin Scott (GA-8), Rep. Doug Collins (GA-9), Rep. Barry Loudermilk (GA-11), Rep. Rick Allen (GA-12), and Rep. Tom Graves (GA-14) take large leads in their contested primaries.
A FEW GOLD DOME INCUMBENTS BEING CHALLENGED (8:45 p.m.)
There seems to be a few incumbents being challenged in close elections for the next term under the Gold Dome: Brandon Beach (Sen – 21), Bruce Broadrick, Sr. (H-4), Tom Dickson (H-6), Howard Maxwell (H-17), John Yates (H-73), Greg Morris (H-156)
STATEWIDE/FEDERAL HEADED TO VICTORY (CONTESTED RACES) (9:20 p.m.)
Incumbents: Sen. Johnny Isakson, PSC Commissioner Tim Echols, Rep. Austin Scott (GA-8), Rep. Doug Collins (GA-9), Rep. Barry Loudermilk (GA-11), Rep. Rick Allen (GA-12), and Rep. Tom Graves (GA-14).
Non-Incumbents To Face Incumbent in Nov.: GA-2 GOP – Greg Duke, GA-12 Dem. – Patricia McCracken
10:00 P.M. UPDATE – THEME: MOST INCUMBENTS SEEM SAFE FOR GOLD DOME
- The following House incumbents may go to a runoff – Tom Dickson (H-6), John Yates (H-73). The rest of the incumbents seem safe.
- Three people are in contention for GA-3 on the GOP side – Drew Ferguson, Mike Crane, and Jim Pace. The rest are far behind.
- Blake Tillery seems to have taken a commanding lead to replace Sen. Tommie Williams in Senate District 19
- Former State Rep. Lee Anderson seems to be headed to a runoff in Senate District 24 to replace Sen. Bill Jackson. Too close to see who he will face.
10:45 P.M.
- It looks like Mike Crane and Drew Ferguson will face off in the GA-3 GOP runoff. The GA-3 Dem race is tied at 5,812 votes each.
10:51 P.M.
- Lee Anderson appears to be headed to a runoff against Joe Edge in Senate District 24 to replace Sen. Bill Jackson.
- Angela Pendley and Tamarkus Cook are still neck and neck in the GA-3 Dem race, with Pendley up by 17 votes.
- HD-80 has turned out to be a very close race between Catherine Bernard, Alan Cole, and Meagan Hanson.
- The Hat (a.k.a. Jim Barksdale) is at 53.52% with 144 of 159 counties reporting. It looks like he will face Sen. Isakson in November.
11:12 P.M.
- Bert Guy, Longtime GAGOP Office Holder and Activist, wins seat to Superior Court in the Brunswick District
- Cobb County Commission Chairman Tim Lee (40.60%) in a possible run off against Mike Boyce (48.84%)
About Author
lawtonsack
Lawton is a graduate of Georgia Southern University (the GSU) with a degree in Information Technology. He has held numerous positions within the Georgia Republican Party throughout the years.
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I will be the first to step out on a limb and say that Sen. Johnny Isakson wins the GOP U.S. Senate primary. The hat guy (a.k.a. Jim Barksdale) wins the Democratic race.
I cannot tell you how much it excites me to see Broun being crushed by Doug Collins. What does Broun run for next? I bet he thinks he can be governor after this.
Governor?! Too small. I bet he’s thinking Savior.
Of course. I was thinking way too small.
Walker County Republicans choose Shannon Whitfield over Mike Peardon to face incumbent Republican-turned-Independent Commissioner Bebe Heiskell in November and heavily in favor (75% to 25%) of a multi-member commission vs. sole commission.
Rep. Rick Allen (GA-12):
“Friends in Georgia’s 12th Congressional District — you have given me the greatest honor of my life — representing you in the United States Congress. I’m proud to again receive the Republican nomination to represent your conservative values in Washington. Thank you to all who have made this a possibility. Robin and I are so honored to have your ongoing support. I look forward to continuing to serve you and fostering an environment that will create jobs, grow the economy and reduce the size and scope of the federal government.”
Memo to future candidates: If there are no incumbents in the race change your last name to Aardvark.
Or I suppose you could keep your existing last name and legally append (I)
Michelle Miller, PSC Candidate:
“For nearly two years now, I have woken up every day with one sure thing on my mind: How can I make Georgia a better place to live for everyone. A little over two years ago, I began my journey on the campaign trail to earn a seat at the Georgia Public Service Commission.
We ran a hard race and meet some really great people during this campaign. I want to first start by congratulating Tim Echols on a well-run, and a positive race. I have spoken to Tim and I look forward to working with him in the future on anything he may need me for. Tim is a good man and of very respectable character and I wish him well as he continues to serve on the Georgia Public Service Commission.
Next, I want to thank the tens of thousands of people who invested in me by hearing my message and voting for me today. While the results were not in our favor tonight I am content in knowing that God has blessed me with experiences I would not have ever imagined to have seen. I have learned more in this race than many experiences in my life and for that I am ever grateful to the people of Georgia and those who have supported and prayed for me through out.
After traveling to every corner of this beautiful state I have learned one thing: this state is stronger than ever and has many great things to do in the future. From the falls at Panther Creek, to Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain; from the Okefenokee Swamp to Bellwood Quarry—this is a great state and it is my true home. I love the people of Georgia and I love the things that I have learned from them.
One thing is for certain, however, this conservative Georgian is here to stay. I am ever faithful in this party and believe in it through and through. As Ronald Reagan once said, ‘There are no constraints on the human mind, no walls around the human spirit, no barriers to our progress except those we ourselves erect.’ I will place no constraints on myself, build no walls around my spirit, and erect no barriers in the progress I hope to see come from the experiences of which I have learned.
I am proud of the race that I ran, and I look forward to what the future holds for me in Georgia. ‘I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have. I must stand with anybody that stands right, and stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong.’ – Abraham Lincoln”
Pay attention Republicans. Obviously she knew the writing was on the wall but this was a step towards the right kind of name recognition in the party and the state. Also it wouldn’t kill us to have a future PSC commissioner with a degree in energy and conservation.
Hey y’all. I’m bummed over the District 24 Senate GOP results thus far. I was pulling for Pete Gibbons. My folks live in Elberton.
Tom Graves (GA-14):
“Serving the people of the 14th District in the U.S. House of Representatives is the honor of my life, and I’m proud to again receive the Republican nomination. I want to thank everyone who supported our campaign, especially those who volunteered their time, energy and financial resources for this cause. I promise to continue fighting for Northwest Georgians and our conservative values in Washington. Now it’s time to unify as a Party and take the fight for limited government, individual freedom and constitutional governance to the Democrats.”
What’s going on in Stewart County?