ATLANTA — Democrats toppled two Republican incumbents in the Georgia state House, but won't narrow the Republican majority as much as they once hoped.
With four races still uncalled Wednesday, Republicans have 99 of the 180 House seats, while Democrats have 78. If all the candidates leading Wednesday win, Republicans would hold 100 seats and Democrats 80. But candidates in two of those races lead by fewer than 100 votes, meaning those elections could be headed to recounts.
Republicans held a 102-78 lead when voting began. GOP incumbents Mesha Mainor and Ken Vance lost to Democratic opponents, but Democratic efforts to unseat three more Republican incumbents in Atlanta's northern suburbs were falling short. That's a win for Republicans, who will avoid the headaches of a significantly smaller majority, and for Gov. Brian Kemp, whose political organization pumped $2 million into helping House GOP candidates.
It was the first election after a court ordered lawmakers to draw new lines to create more Black-majority districts. With Black voters strongly supporting Democrats, that created some Democratic opportunities in the House. But GOP mapmakers redrew Georgia's 14 Congressional Districts and 56 state Senate districts, resulting in little meaningful partisan competition for those offices. The partisan balance in the state Senate remained at 33 Republicans and 23 Democrats, as it was before the election, after all incumbents won.
''Senate Republicans finished the drill tonight,'' said Senate President Pro Tem John Kennedy, a Macon Republican.
Democratic leaders admitted they couldn't win a majority in the lower chamber of the General Assembly this year. But the minority party hoped to show progress toward a majority after Republicans held the line in 2022, as Kemp swept to reelection.
Democrats campaigned on overturning Georgia's abortion restrictions, doing more to limit guns, and expanding the Medicaid program to more low-income adults. Republicans touted their support for low taxes, police and school vouchers.
''From historic tax cuts and investments in education to strengthening public safety, increasing access to healthcare and creating more opportunities to succeed, Georgia House Republicans continue to deliver results — and tonight's results reflect that," said House Speaker Jon Burns, a Newington Republican whose case for another term as leader was bolstered by the results. ''We will continue working hard, expanding the tent of the Republican Party and addressing kitchen table issues that matter to families across the state.''
