Democrats win a majority in the Georgia House for first time in 22 years

Democrats have won control of the Georgia House of Representatives for the first time in 22 years, part of a wave election that has transformed Georgia politics by rejecting Republican rule.

Democrats defeated at least 12 incumbent Republicans across the state for a net gain of 10 seats, pushing them past the 91 seat threshold they needed for a majority.

That puts House Minority Leader Carolyn Hugley in line to become the first Black woman speaker of the Georgia House. Black women won eight statewide races Tuesday night, ushering in a new generation of leadership in Georgia that includes Keisha Lance Bottoms, who will become the nation’s first Black woman governor.

Hugley’s path to the speaker’s chair cleared on Wednesday as state Rep. Stacey Evans, a former candidate for governor, announced she would not challenge Hugley, sparing the new majority caucus from a potentially intense leadership fight.

At a news conference Wednesday, Hugley said she would seek to work with Republicans in the House and Senate to accomplish shared goals.

“Good speakers are the ones who provide an opportunity for every member to be heard,” she said.

The power shift means a host of Democratic policies that have long been stalled could get real consideration, including making more people eligible for Medicaid, the government-funded health insurance program.

Republicans maintained control of the state Senate, although with a narrower majority, setting up a divided government that could temper Democrats’ agenda.

Hugley said she would defer to Bottoms and seek input from her fellow Democrats before announcing an agenda. She mentioned Medicaid and early childhood education as personal priorities. But she said voters’ desires will come first.

“What Georgia citizens have told us is affordability is the No. 1 issue,” Hugley said.

Republican House Speaker Jon Burns, who was reelected but will lose his leadership post, said Republicans will “continue showing up for the job we were elected to do each and every day.”

“While a few key seats remain within the recount margin, we still have a strong, resilient and committed caucus,” Burns said. “Our dedication to protecting Georgia’s conservative values has not — and will not — change.”

Democrats defeated 12 Republican incumbents:

• Cynthia Starke-Jones defeated Joseph Gullett, R-Dallas, in District 19.
• Scott Soracco defeated Matt Dubnik, R-Gainesville, in District 29.
• Elisa Lassiter defeated Kimberly New, R-Villa Rica, in District 40.
• Danielle Bell defeated Don Parsons, R-Marietta, in District 44.
• Adam Cleveland defeated Scott Hilton, R-Peachtree Corners, in District 48.
• Beth Fuller defeated Deborah Silcox, R-Sandy Springs, in District 53.
• Mishael White defeated Noelle Kahaian, R-Locust Grove, in District 81.
• Michelle Kang defeated Matt Reeves, R-Duluth, in District 99.
• Farooq Mughal defeated Sandy Donatucci, R-Buford, in District 105.
• Renita Duncan defeated Bethany Ballard, R-Warner Robbins, in District 147.
• David Dillie defeated Bill Hitchens, R-Rincon, in District 161.
• Stephanie Burgess defeated Ron Stephens, R-Savannah, in District 164.

Republicans picked up one seat as Mack “Dutch” Guest IV defeated Eric Gisler, who just last year scored a stunning upset in the Athens-based district as part of a special election that many Democrats believed was a harbinger of voter backlash to Republican rule.

Republicans were also poised to pick up a Democratic held seat in District 128, where Trey Sheppard was leading Tyrone A. Evans in a district that was held by retiring state Rep. Mack Jackson, D-Sandersville.

Two other Republican incumbents could be headed to recounts. State law does not require an automatic recount. But candidates can request one if the margin is less than or equal to 0.5%. Republican Soo Hong, a floor leader for Gov. Brian Kemp, trailed Democrat Chris Luchey by just 27 votes in District 103. In District 154, Republican state Rep. Gerald Greene trailed Democrat Henry James by 59 votes.

One Republican incumbent, state Rep. Jordan Ridley, was leading in a race that was not yet called by the AP.

Republican President Donald Trump has falsely claimed previous Georgia election results were fraudulent. But multiple Republican incumbents conceded their losses on Tuesday without a fuss.

“While last night’s outcome was not what we hoped for, I know God has a plan for my life and what comes next. I know and trust that in my heart,” Dubnik said.

Results won’t be official until certified by local and state election officials. County election boards have until Monday to certify the results. Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger must certify statewide results by Nov. 20.

In the Georgia Senate, Democrats unseated incumbent Republicans Clint Dixon of Buford and Shawn Still of Suwanee. Democrat Darcy Castro also defeated state Sen. Ed Setzler, R-Acworth.

Though Democrats did not appear to win enough seats to take control of the Senate, the Republican majority will be narrow. And Democrat Josh McLaurin won the race for lieutenant governor and will preside over the Senate.

At a news conference Wednesday, McLaurin also spoke of Medicaid expansion, childcare and other Democratic priorities. He also talked of bipartisanship. But he was more pointed than Hugley in suggesting Republicans need to recognize Democrats have a mandate.

“The size of the mandate is generational,” McLaurin said. “The size of the mandate rejecting Donald Trump’s MAGA politics is unlike anything we’ve seen in our lifetimes.”

AJC chief political reporter Greg Bluestein contributed to this report.