Politics
Politics

More elections scheduled for January to fill state Senate and House seats

By
Dec 5, 2017

Two special elections will be held Jan. 9 to fill the seats in the Georgia General Assembly left vacant by former Sen. Rick Jeffares and former Rep. Brian Strickland.

Jeffares, R-McDonough, resigned to compete in a crowded field for Georgia lieutenant governor to replace Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, who is running for governor. Besides Jeffares, other Republican candidates for lieutenant governor include Senate President Pro Tem David Shafer, R-Duluth, and state Rep. Geoff Duncan, R-Cumming. Democrats considering running include former state Rep. Ronnie Mabra, D-Fayetteville, and former state Sen. Doug Stoner, D-Smyrna.

Strickland, R-McDonough, is running to replace Jeffares in the state Senate. Gov. Nathan Deal called for the elections Monday.

Senate District 17 seat covers parts of Henry, Newton and Rockdale counties. House District 111 is in Henry County. The field of candidates will be set by the end of this week. Candidates can file to run for office from Wednesday to Friday.

About the Author

Mark Niesse covers Georgia government for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and is considered an expert on elections and voting. Before joining the AJC, he worked for The Associated Press in Atlanta, Honolulu and Montgomery, Alabama. He also reported for The Daily Report and The Santiago Times in Chile.

Follow Mark Niesse on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

April Newkirk holds a bouquet as she listens to a speaker during a vigil in honor of Adriana Smith at the Park Avenue Baptist Church on Sunday, June 15, 2025. Adriana was declared brain dead while she was pregnant, but the state’s abortion law has prevented doctors from removing her from life support. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Family of Adriana Smith marks what would have been 31st birthday

Tensions rise during DeKalb immigration protest with use of tear gas

The events are taking place on the same day as a military parade in Washington celebrating the Army’s 250th anniversary, which coincides with Donald Trump’s 79th birthday.

‘This can’t be who we are.’ Georgia leaders respond to Minnesota attack.

Georgia political leaders condemned politically motivated violence after a gunman fatally shot a Democratic legislator in Minnesota on Saturday and wounded another lawmaker.

The Latest

April Newkirk holds a bouquet as she listens to a speaker during a vigil in honor of Adriana Smith at the Park Avenue Baptist Church on Sunday, June 15, 2025. Adriana was declared brain dead while she was pregnant, but the state’s abortion law has prevented doctors from removing her from life support. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Family of Adriana Smith marks what would have been 31st birthday

Tensions rise during DeKalb immigration protest with use of tear gas

‘This can’t be who we are.’ Georgia leaders respond to Minnesota attack.

Featured

Aerial photo shows demonstrators holding signs to oppose Trump’s immigration policies during “No Cake for False Kings” protest on the 17th Street NW Bridge, Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Thousands turn out in metro Atlanta; DeKalb immigration protest escalates

The events are taking place on the same day as a military parade in Washington celebrating the Army’s 250th anniversary, which coincides with Donald Trump’s 79th birthday.

Route changes for metro Atlanta Xpress commuter buses start Monday

The Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority, which operates Xpress, has said the changes are necessary because of ridership declines since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ronald Acuña Jr. is quickly assembling All-Star case for Braves

In the last 30 days, Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. is third in batting average, ninth in home runs, first in on-base percentage and second in slugging and OPS