Bearden wins Georgia Senate race; runoff set for state House

Republican former state Rep. Tim Bearden won a special election for the state Senate on Tuesday while another race for the state House is heading for a runoff between two Republicans, former Columbia County Commissioner Gary Richardson and conservative activist C.J. Pearson.

Bearden, who supported expanding gun rights when he served in the House from 2005 to 2011, defeated three opponents for the seat vacated by former state Sen. Mike Dugan, a Republican from Carrollton. Dugan resigned to run in the congressional district held by U.S. Rep. Drew Ferguson, who isn’t seeking reelection.

Richardson and Pearson received the most votes among five candidates, but neither achieved the majority needed to avoid a runoff, according to unofficial results. The winner of the race will replace state Rep. Barry Fleming, a Republican from Harlem who Gov. Brian Kemp appointed to become a superior court judge.