(The Center Square) – Just days before the Georgia General Assembly convenes, two Democrats in the House of Representatives have announced their resignation.
Rep. Lynn Heffner, D-Augusta, said in a statement she was stepping down to focus on rebuilding her home that was damaged during Hurricane Helene. Rep. Karen Bennett, D-Stone Mountain, resigned after serving 13 years in the House without releasing a statement.
Bennett’s resignation was effective Jan. 1, according to the House.
“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of House District 130, which has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” said Heffner. “However, the ongoing discourse surrounding the rebuilding process has reached an impasse, creating uncertainty that has led me to make the difficult but necessary decision to step aside. My commitment to transparency, integrity and accountability remains steadfast.”
Hefner was first elected to the House in 2022.
The resignations means two more special elections are needed following several other resignations and one death in the General Assembly.
Voters in House District 23 will decide Tuesday who will fill the seat of the late Rep. Mandi Ballinger, R-Canton. Republican Bill Fincher received 27.4% of the vote in last month’s contest in a race that included four other Republican candidates. Democrat Scott Sanders trailed Fincher and will face him in the runoff.
An election is scheduled Jan. 20 to fill the seat of John F. Kennedy, R-Macon, who resigned to focus on his campaign for lieutenant governor. The district covers Crawford, Monroe, Peach and portions of Bibb and Houston counties.
State Sen. Jason Esteves resigned to concentrate on his run for governor. Pediatric dentist Jaha Howard defeated former state Rep. Roger Bruce in a close runoff for the state Senate District 35 seat on Dec. 18.
Democrats had a surprise victory in the race to succeed former state Rep. Marcus Wiedower, whose district included parts of Oconee and Clarke counties. 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.
