Hubbard earns Democratic nomination for PSC District 3 in primary runoff

Hubbard will face Republican Fitz Johnson, whom Gov. Brian Kemp appointed to the state commission in 2021, in the general election in November. This is the incumbent’s first election.

Decisions made by the five-member board directly impact Georgia residents. Commissioners decide how much utility companies such as Georgia Power and Atlanta Gas Light can charge customers.

Unofficial results show a little more than 1% of Georgia’s approximately 8.4 million registered voters participated during the runoff election.

In a statement, Waites thanked her supporters and pledged to work to get Hubbard elected in November.

“Although our race has come to an end, our work is far from over,” she said. “We remain firmly committed to the ongoing fight to protect working families and seniors from the burden of skyrocketing utility bills.”

The current all-Republican board has approved a series of rate hikes for Georgia Power since 2023, increasing customers’ monthly bills by about $43.

Johnson said he will look out for Georgia consumers by keeping energy “reliable, affordable and grounded in conservative principles.”

But Hubbard said it was time for a change on the board.

“The PSC general election this Nov. 4 matters to all Georgians because power bills are skyrocketing, no one is holding the current Republican PSC accountable and voters have the power to change that,” he said.

Johnson and Tim Echols, whose PSC District 2 seat is also up for grabs, issued a joint statement saying they are committed to “standing against reckless progressive agendas and ensuring that our state remains a national model for affordable, reliable energy.”

Earlier this month, the board voted to hold rates steady through 2028. But next year, rates could still increase, as commissioners are expected to consider how ratepayers will pay for storm damage caused by Hurricane Helene and other storms.

No major incidents were reported around the election. The biggest problem most precinct workers encountered was boredom.

In Cobb County, 72-year-old Amanda Robinson was part of a steady stream of voters at the Switzer Library in Marietta.

Robinson said she voted for Hubbard and would like to see the board place more emphasis on renewable energy sources, such as solar. She also said the commission’s statewide elections have allowed Republicans to maintain control of the board for too long.

“I hope that a Democratic candidate wins,” Robinson said. “We need representation.”

Although PSC candidates run in geographic districts, elections for those seats are conducted statewide.

At the Buckhead Library in Fulton County, about 46 voters had cast their ballots by noon, including Atlanta residents Bill and Jill Head, who said they also voted for Hubbard.

“It’s his (Hubbard’s) field,” said Bill Head, 78. “He might really be able to help technically and understand what the problems are and how to use our resources.”

Credit: Gray Mollenkamp

Credit: Gray Mollenkamp

At Briarlake Church in DeKalb County, Leyou Eyob, a recent University of Georgia graduate, voted for Waites, citing the former state representative’s political background. She also said Waites seemed more well-spoken than Hubbard.

Credit: hand

Credit: hand

Credit: Courtesy photo

Credit: Courtesy photo

In the June Democratic primary, Waites led in the polls with about 46% of the vote and Hubbard at 33%, but neither candidate passed the requisite majority threshold to win the party nomination.

The PSC District 3 seat covers Clayton, DeKalb and Fulton counties.

But because of low turnout during the primary, 76 of Georgia’s 159 counties opened only one precinct Tuesday. Forsyth County, which closed all but one precinct, recorded about 90 voters by noon.

Credit: Ben Hendren

Credit: Ben Hendren

Credit: Olivia Bowdoin

Credit: Olivia Bowdoin