Georgia Public Service Commission incumbents Chuck Eaton and Stan Wise had firm leads over their Republican opponents in primary returns early Tuesday night.
They faced off against Matt Reid and Pamela Davidson, both of whom pushed for the state to use more renewable energy. Reid and Davidson also vowed not to take campaign contributions from utility executives, their families or lobbyists connected to them.
Eaton is running for his second six-year term as a Georgia utility regulator. For Wise, a win Tuesday night would put him closer to a fourth term.
The winner in the race for Eaton's seat will face Democrat Steve Oppenheimer in the general election. There is no Democratic candidate for Wise's seat. Both races have Libertarian candidates.
The five-member Public Service Commission regulates investor-owned utility monopolies — such as Georgia Power, Atlanta Gas Light and Atmos Energy. The agency also regulates landline phone service and enforces consumer protections in the state's deregulated gas market.
Commissioners are elected to six-year terms and make $116,452 a year. The commissioners are elected statewide but must live in the district they represent.
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