Politics
Politics

Bearden wins Georgia Senate race; runoff set for state House

House runoff features Republicans CJ Pearson and Gary Richardson
Poll worker Tracy Singletary (right) takes ballots and gives stickers to voters on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022 at the Dunbar Neighborhood Center in Atlanta. (John Spink / John.Spink@ajc.com)

Credit: JOHN SPINK / AJC

Credit: JOHN SPINK / AJC

Poll worker Tracy Singletary (right) takes ballots and gives stickers to voters on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022 at the Dunbar Neighborhood Center in Atlanta. (John Spink / John.Spink@ajc.com)
By Mark Niesse
Feb 14, 2024

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.

Richardson, the CEO of the Sparkle Express Carwash chain, will face Pearson, a 21-year-old social media influencer.

The runoff for the Augusta-area House district will be held March 12, the day of the Georgia presidential primary.

About the Author

Mark Niesse is an enterprise reporter and covers elections and Georgia government for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and is considered an expert on elections and voting. Before joining the AJC, he worked for The Associated Press in Atlanta, Honolulu and Montgomery, Alabama. He also reported for The Daily Report and The Santiago Times in Chile.

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