Camilla Republican wins southwest Georgia special House election

A Republican county chairman from Camilla will head to the state House to fill a vacant southwest Georgia seat.

Joe Campbell, chairman of the Mitchell County Republican Party, received the most votes in a three-way race to fill the House District 171 seat that previously was held by state Rep. Jay Powell, a Camilla Republican who died in November.

Campbell received about 58.3% of the nearly 5,000 ballots cast on Tuesday, according to unofficial results from the Secretary of State's office. Jewell Howard, a Baconton Democrat who is a retired teacher, in secured about 33.6% of votes cast. Howard lost to Powell in 2012.

Tommy Akridge, a farmer who also is a Republican from Camilla, came in third place was about 8% of the vote.

House District 171 covers parts of Colquitt, Decatur and Mitchell counties.

Campbell will serve the remainder of Powell’s term, which ends in January. A general election for the seat will be held in November.

About the Author

The untold story of Amy Carter’s White House nanny, Mary Prince

Mary Prince met President and Mrs. Jimmy Carter 54 years ago as a wrongly convicted murderer. She talks about becoming a beloved nanny, caregiver and member of the family.

Democratic PSC candidates promise lower power bills headed into primary runoff

Two Democrats with contrasting backgrounds compete for the party nomination in a low-turnout runoff election for a chance to serve on Georgia's Public Service Commission.

SEC accuses GOP-linked Georgia lender of $140M Ponzi scheme

Federal regulators filed a complaint Thursday seeking the seizure of Georgia lender First Liberty Building & Loan, accusing its founder of operating a Ponzi scheme.

The Latest

Credit: Courtesy Chuck Williams

OPINION

The untold story of Amy Carter’s White House nanny, Mary Prince

SEC accuses GOP-linked Georgia lender of $140M Ponzi scheme

SNAP cuts could mean fewer free meals for Georgia students

Featured

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Georgia disability rights advocates fear weakening of U.S. accessibility law

Advocates worry the Department of Energy’s move could be the start of a broader effort by other federal agencies to roll back civil rights rules.

From boycott to ballgame: Baseball’s political All-Star Game saga returns to Georgia

MLB pulled the 2021 All-Star Game from Georgia over the state's voting law, Senate Bill 202. Now it’s back — and Republicans say the return proves they were right all along.

OPINION

Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ tour pushes fans outside the norm

Preparations for the show pushed people out of their comfort zones — into new stores, new communities, a new style of dress, and in some cases, to visit new cities.