Rep. Lauren Daniel, pictured here with her son Zane in January, was among the incumbents who faced defeat in Tuesday’s primary election.
Georgia voters have made their voices heard by ousting incumbents, selecting new representatives to replace those who are leaving, and laying the groundwork for upcoming runoffs in June, followed by the highly anticipated elections in November.
Voters throughout Georgia have made their voices heard on Tuesday, casting their ballots and making choices that will have a profound impact on the state Legislature. These decisions have the potential to greatly influence the lives of everyday Georgians, perhaps even more so than the outcome of the presidential election next year.
In a surprising turn of events on Tuesday, Gabriel Sanchez, a waiter from Smyrna, managed to secure a victory over Smyrna Democratic Rep. Teri Anulewicz, who had been serving as the representative for House District 42 since 2017. This unexpected outcome was made possible by the endorsement of Sanchez by the Democratic Socialists of America.
In the unofficial results, Sanchez secured 2,240 votes, which accounted for 56.8% of the total, while Anulewicz received 1,711 votes, equivalent to 43.21% of the votes.
Sanchez attributed his victory to his emphasis on addressing the concerns that matter to working individuals, as he expressed in a tweet on Wednesday morning.
“The mandate is crystal clear,” he stated. “Georgia voters deserve a representative who prioritizes the concerns of working people. We will work hand in hand to advocate for accessible housing, comprehensive healthcare, environmentally-friendly job opportunities, transgender rights, and an inclusive economy that benefits everyone, not just the elite.”
In November, Sanchez will face off against Republican Diane Jackson, who has a background in marketing and ran unopposed in her primary.
During the legislative session, Locust Grove Republican Representative Lauren Daniel, affectionately known as the “unapologetic mom,” would frequently be spotted with her youngest son, baby Zane, securely fastened to her chest.
Zane Daniel, the youngest member of the House, was honored with a special nametag resembling the ones worn by lawmakers. It proudly displayed his name as “Zane Daniel, Baby of the House.”
Daniel received support from Gov. Brian Kemp, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, and other establishment figures. However, she encountered opposition from ultra conservatives.
“We fell short this time, folks, as the Republican voters of District 81 have elected another candidate to go up against the Democratic contender in the upcoming fall election. For months now, my family and I have endured slander, lies, harassment, and threats. Despite all this, I find solace in the fact that today brings a sense of joy because I firmly believe that God is always good!” Daniel shared on social media on Wednesday.
Noelle Kahaian, a paralegal from Henry County, emerged victorious on Tuesday, securing 2,665 votes to Daniel’s 2,384 votes, resulting in a 53% to 47% margin. With this outcome, Noelle successfully sent mother and baby packing.
Kahaian is set to go head-to-head against Democrat Mishael White, a truck driver from Henry County, in the upcoming November election. White garnered an impressive 3,212 votes from individuals who opted for Democratic ballots.
Georgia Gun Owners, a far-right gun rights advocacy group, took to Twitter to express their delight, sharing an image depicting a tombstone bearing Daniel’s name. Accompanied by the eerie sight are two skulls, one of which is being ominously pecked at by a crow.
According to Alex Dorr, GGO political director for advocacy, Daniel, who boasts an A rating from the NRA, failed to sufficiently advocate for the expansion of gun rights.
In an email on Wednesday, he emphasized that GGO members expect Republican legislators to do more than just vote against gun control. They want them to actively push for the expansion of gun rights through legislation like the Second Amendment Preservation Act (HB-293 and HB-1009). According to him, Lauren failed to support SAPA or any other initiatives that aimed to protect gun rights, making her a fraud. Now that she’s no longer in the picture, he believes that GGO can move forward without her.
Daniel did not provide a comment when asked for one on Wednesday.
State Representative Saira Draper, a Democrat from Atlanta, secured a comfortable victory in the recent elections, earning her a second term in office. With no opposition in the heavily Democratic district, Draper is set to continue serving the community without any electoral hurdles in November.
In an unprecedented legislative race, Draper emerged victorious with an overwhelming 68% of the vote. This was the only contest where two incumbents were pitted against each other, a result of the court-ordered redistricting do-over from last year. Consequently, one sitting lawmaker was bound to face defeat.
More than 70% of Draper’s previous district is now encompassed within the new district.
According to Draper, she believes her success is due to her ability to connect with voters. She emphasized her experience as a voting rights attorney and highlighted the unique perspective she brings to the Legislature as a member of the Hispanic and AAPI caucuses. Additionally, Draper mentioned that being one of the few women lawmakers with young children under the Gold Dome resonated with voters.
Draper said that they were very focused on conveying their message about bringing a valuable asset to the Capitol. They emphasized their expertise in voting rights, democracy, and elections, highlighting the importance of filling a crucial gap in knowledge and experience.
“In the current moment, our democratic institutions face significant challenges and voting rights are under threat. To effectively lead the Democratic caucus, we need someone who can directly confront these issues,” she stated.
State Representative Becky Evans, a Democrat from Atlanta who was elected in 2018, took to social media to express her congratulations to Draper on Tuesday evening.
“The outcome did not align with our desired outcome, however, as an individual who has dedicated the past six years to tirelessly safeguarding and representing this community and our democratic values, I wholeheartedly acknowledge and honor the decision made by the voters,” expressed Evans.
Unsettled races
In Georgia’s coastal region, Rep. Steven Sainz, a Republican from St. Marys, has just fallen short of the 50% plus one threshold needed to avoid a runoff election. With approximately 49.7% of the votes in a three-person race, Sainz came close to securing a majority. This outcome sets the stage for a rematch with Glenn Cook, a retiree who garnered around 27% of the votes, amounting to 1,673 votes. Notably, Cook was an early advocate of implementing artificial intelligence in his campaign strategy.
Sainz expressed a positive outlook in a video posted on Facebook to his supporters on Wednesday morning. He mentioned that he is currently awaiting the arrival of absentee and provisional ballots.
Middle school teacher Bryce Berry emerged as the clear winner in a closely watched Atlanta contest, securing victory in a four-person race with an impressive 54% of the vote.
In November, he will have the opportunity to go head-to-head with Republican Rep. Mesha Mainor. Mainor made headlines last summer when she changed parties due to scrutiny over her stance on issues such as school vouchers.
Berry expressed her determination to lead the battle with love, hope, and optimism for what Georgia can achieve. In a statement on social media, she emphasized that this is only the first step and that they will continue to fight until November, aiming to restore progressive values to District 56.
Berry has every reason to be confident. District 56 has a strong preference for Democratic candidates, with almost 90% of voters supporting President Joe Biden in the 2020 election. In the recent primary, the four Democratic candidates received a total of 3,651 votes, while the sole Republican candidate, Mainor, garnered just 114 votes in her party’s primary.
In Gwinnett County, the race to replace retiring Democratic Rep. Pedro “Pete” Marin seems to be between IT cybersecurity professional Arlene Beckles and program specialist Sonia Lopez. Beckles secured 505 votes, representing just over 39% of the total, while Lopez received 394 votes, approximately 30.5%. Neva Thompson, who finished in third place, garnered 390 votes, accounting for about 30.3%. However, given the close margin and low voter turnout, there is a possibility that uncounted absentee or provisional ballots could impact the final outcome.
There were no Republican candidates eligible to run in the district.
In east Georgia, near the South Carolina border, the general contractor Rob Clifton is poised to enter a runoff against retired educator Paul Abbott in the bid to succeed the retiring Republican Rep. Jodi Lott. Out of a field of five candidates, Clifton garnered 1,887 votes, approximately 48.8%, while Abbott secured 728 votes, equivalent to 18.8%.
Looking forward
Both parties’ representatives expressed their optimism on Wednesday regarding the results of the House races, indicating a promising future for their respective caucuses.
Democrats are highlighting two races that they believe could potentially result in gains for their party.
In the Democratic primary of the north metro 53rd District, Atlanta attorney Susie Greenberg received a total of 3,257 votes, surpassing the incumbent Republican Rep. Deborah Silcox, who secured 2,504 votes in the GOP primary.
Democrats are eyeing the district as a potential pickup this year, given its strong support for Biden in the 2020 election, with nearly 55% of the vote.
In District 99 of Gwinnett, Michelle Kang, a Democrat and CEO of a non-profit organization, had a slightly better performance than Republican incumbent Rep. Matt Reeves. Kang received 1,964 votes in the Democratic primary, while Reeves garnered 1,888 votes in the Republican primary.
The Democrats are eyeing that district as well. In the 2020 election, the voters in that district showed their support for Biden over Trump, with a margin of 52.7% to 47.3%.
He expressed his surprise at the outcome, stating, “That one shocked me quite a bit as the Democratic base in that seat tends to have lower voter turnout. I think this is a great sign that Democrats are actively engaged in that area.”
Reeves informed the Recorder that the results only indicate that the district is nearly evenly divided, 50-50.
According to him, more than 700 ballots were cast in the state House race without a vote. This indicates that the voters either left the section blank or chose a non-partisan ballot.
Reeves expressed optimism regarding the choices made by the voters, highlighting the state Supreme Court race, which was seen by many as a significant battle over abortion rights, and the homestead tax exemption, which received widespread support.
John Barrow, who firmly believed that the state Constitution safeguards abortion rights, was defeated by Justice Andrew Pinson in a closely contested race. According to Reeves, Barrow lost to Pinson in District 99, with a margin of 56% to 44%.
“People are seeking individuals who prioritize common ground and effective public policy rather than partisan politics. The recent Supreme Court race and homestead vote exemplify this trend. I believe that my efforts in tax relief, public safety, and education over the past two years align with the district’s desire for collaborative work that benefits the community.”
Field expressed less enthusiasm for another Gwinnett district, District 105, represented by Democratic Rep. Farooq Mughal. Republicans view this district as a potential flip, and on Tuesday, Republican Realtor Sandy Donatucci presented evidence that supports their belief.
In the Republican primary, she garnered a total of 2,209 votes, while Mughal narrowly surpassed her with 2,292 votes.
According to Field, the number reported for Farooq’s performance is not particularly surprising as it aligns with the partisanship associated with that specific seat. Field also noted that the enthusiasm generated by the property tax referendum among Republicans in Gwinnett could have had an impact. Additionally, although there may not be direct overlap, the City of Mulberry referendum could have contributed to some residual excitement in the North Gwinnett area.
House Majority Leader Chuck Efstration expressed his determination to defend Republican seats and seize Democratic ones. He emphasized the party’s preparedness to engage in a fierce battle for political dominance.
“Our House leadership team extends heartfelt congratulations to all the Republican nominees who secured victories yesterday, showcasing an exceptional group of challengers to incumbent Democrats,” stated the spokesperson. “As we enter the general election phase, we will not underestimate the significance of our majority. We are fully committed to supporting our existing caucus members while also challenging incumbent Democrats whose liberal stances do not align with the needs of their communities. With hardworking Georgians grappling with issues such as inflation and increasing crime rates, our House leadership team is dedicated to tirelessly safeguarding and preserving our conservative majority.”
