Politics
Politics

Kemp sets primary day special election to replace longtime Senate budget chief

Jan. 12, 2017 - Atlanta - Senator Renee Unterman confers with Senator Jack Hill on the floor of the Senate. She is promoting a bill that would allow Georgia restaurants to serve morning cocktails on Sundays, calling it her "mimosa mandate." The fourth day of the 2017 General Assembly. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

Credit: Bob Andres

Credit: Bob Andres

Jan. 12, 2017 - Atlanta - Senator Renee Unterman confers with Senator Jack Hill on the floor of the Senate. She is promoting a bill that would allow Georgia restaurants to serve morning cocktails on Sundays, calling it her "mimosa mandate." The fourth day of the 2017 General Assembly. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM
By James Salzer
April 11, 2020

Gov. Brian Kemp on Saturday set a special election for June 9 to replace longtime Senate Appropriations Chairman Jack Hill, a Reidsville Republican who died earlier this week.

Kemp set the special election on the same day Georgia voters will be going to the polls to pick Republican and Democratic nominees for a host of offices, including president, U.S. senator and state legislative posts.

Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger on Thursday announced the primary elections would be moved from May 19 to June 9 because of the coronavirus, citing health concerns for voters and poll workers.

Hill, who for more than a decade shepherded Georgia's budget through the Senate, died Monday at his office  He was 75.

Hill was sworn into the Georgia Senate in 1991 as a Democrat. A retired grocer, Hill switched parties after the 2002 election, helping throw the Senate to the Republicans. He was rewarded by being named chairman of the Senate budget committee.

About the Author

James Salzer has covered state government and politics in Georgia since 1990. He previously covered politics and government in Texas and Florida. He specializes in government finance, budgets, taxes, campaign finance, ethics and legislative history

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