Lanier Technical College instructor and former CIA analyst Sheri Smallwood Gilligan is the new representative from Georgia House District 24 in Forsyth County.
Gilligan received about 75 percent of the vote, defeating fellow Republican David Van Sant in the July 14 special election runoff conducted in a half-dozen precincts in Cumming and in north and west Forsyth. About 3,800 people voted in the runoff, which became necessary after neither candidate won outright in the original June 16 special election.
Forsyth County elections supervisor Barbara Luth said the county election board has certified the results and that state officials are expected to follow suit early next week. Luth said 11 percent of eligible voters cast ballots, higher than the June 16 turnout of 10.5 percent.
When sworn in, Gilligan will replace former State Rep. Mark Hamilton, who resigned and moved out of state.
