Qualifying began Wednesday for about a half-dozen open state legislative seats, and a range of candidates have jumped into the races. The elections are set for Nov. 7 -- the same day as the Atlanta mayoral race and other local votes around the state. A full list of all the candidates can be found here.
Eight candidates jumped in the race for former state Sen. Hunter Hill's swingy Buckhead-based district: Democrats Jaha Howard, Jen Jordan and Taos Wynn; and Republicans Kathy Eichenblatt, Leah Aldridge, Charlie Fiveash, Matt Bentley and Leo Smith.
Four Democrats are in the running to succeed ex-state Sen. Vincent Fort in his deep-blue Atlanta seat: Elijah Tutt, Linda Pritchett, Marckeith DeJesus and Nikema Williams. A sole Republican is also in the running: Nick Carlson.
One Democratic candidate qualified to replace ex-state Rep. Stacey Evans, who vacated her Smyrna-based seat to run for governor: Smyrna Mayor pro tem Teri Anulewicz.
Two candidates qualified to succeed ex-state Rep. Regina Quick in a conservative-leaning Athens district: Democrat Deborah Gonzalez and Republican Houston Gaines.
The contest to fill former state Rep. Stacey Abrams' Atlanta-based district drew four challengers. Democrats Sachin Varghese, Monique Keane, Bee Nguyen and David Abbott all threw their hats in the ring for the left-leaning seat.
And the race to replace former state Rep. Chuck Williams of Watkinsville, who represents a conservative-leaning Watkinsville-based district, attracted three candidates: Democrat Jonathan Wallace and Republicans Lawton Lord, Steven Strickland and Marcus Wiedower.
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