Fulton County Commission Chairman John Eaves leads in early returns in a race that will determine whether Democrats or Republicans control county government.

In the first batch of returns, Eaves, a Democrat, led Republican Earl Cooper by a margin of 55 percent to 45 percent.

Incumbent Democratic Commissioner Emma Darnell also led Republican Abraham Watson by a margin of 97 percent  to 3 percent in early returns.

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Dogs stand inside their kennels at the expanded DeKalb animal shelter in Chamblee on Dec. 17, 2025. The new space consists of climate-controlled kennel buildings with indoor and outdoor access, each designed to house 12 dogs. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

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Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis testifies before a state Senate committee at the Capitol in Atlanta on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC