(The Center Square) – Pediatric dentist Jaha Howard defeated former Georgia state representative Roger Bruce in a close runoff for the state Senate District 35 seat on Tuesday.
Howard received close to 52% of the vote (3,229), to Bruce’s 48% (2,993) in the runoff election, according to unofficial results from the Georgia Secretary of State’s office. The district includes parts of Cobb and Fulton counties.
Former state Sen. Jason Esteves resigned the post to concentrate on his run for governor. Howard will serve out the rest of Esteves’ term. Esteve, Howard and Bruce are Democrats.
The race is one of several held recently as state lawmakers have resigned their seats.
Democrats had a surprise victory in the race to succeed former state Rep. Marcus Wiedower, whose district included parts of Oconee and Clarke counties.
Democrat Eric Gisler won the seat over Republican Mack “Dutch” Guest IV with just over 50% of the vote. The margin was not close enough for a recount.
A Jan. 6 runoff will determine who will fill the seat of the late Georgia Rep. Mandi Ballinger, R-Canton. Republican Bill Fincher received 27.4% of the vote in last week’s contest for the District 23 House seat in a race that included four other Republican candidates. Democrat Scott Sanders trailed Fincher with 27.4% of the vote.
Qualifying for the District 18 state Senate seat held by John Kennedy concludes today. Kennedy resigned to focus on his race for lieutenant governor. The district covers Crawford, Monroe, Peach and portions of Bibb and Houston counties.
The election is Jan. 20.
Voters in northwest Georgia will go to the polls next year to decide who will replace U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Rome, who resigned last month. Gov. Brian Kemp will call a special election after Greene officially leaves Congress on Jan. 5.
