Across the region, local incumbents were met with angry voters Tuesday.
Of the six county commission races on North Georgia ballots, two incumbents will face runoffs and three lost their seats.
“I think there was a strong anti-incumbent movement across the country,” said Robby Staten, a Whitfield County political newcomer who bested incumbent Randy Waskul for the District 3 County Commission seat.
Mr. Staten had a landslide win over Mr. Waskul with 4,629 votes to Mr. Waskul’s 2,499. Mr. Staten claimed 64.9 percent of the vote.
Gordon C. Morehouse, also a newcomer, did not have opposition for the District 1 seat, and was elected Tuesday.
In Catoosa County, incumbent Bobby Winters will be in a runoff after not receiving the state-required majority in Tuesday’s Republican primary.
Mr. Winters, who was aiming to hang on to his District 2 post, received 49.4 percent of the vote, or 507 votes. Political newcomer Stephanie Dickert got 297, or 28.9 percent. Mark Lindsay, the third candidate, received 222 votes.
“I am so excited, I don’t think my feet are on the ground right now,” Ms. Dickert said. “We’ve spent 90 days meeting wonderful people who are not satisfied with the direction of this county. Now we’ll spend the next 20 days sharing my vision for making Catoosa County as strong as it can be.”
Mr. Winters was not available for comment Tuesday evening.
Dewayne Hill, another Catoosa incumbent, was re-elected with 564 votes to challenger Warren Tatum’s 479. That amounts to about 54 percent of the vote.
In Dade County, District 1 County Commissioner Lamar Lowery was bested by Mitchell Smith. Mr. Lowery had 107 votes to Mr. Smith’s 129 without absentee ballots, amounting to about 54.6 percent for Mr. Smith.
In Gordon County, incumbent Richard “Dick” Gordon was edged out for his District 2 County Commission seat. Chad Steward bested Mr. Gordon with 2,099 votes or 51.3 percent. Mr. Gordon received 1,250 votes and Randell D. Crider received 738.
Another incumbent, Rebecca “Becky” Hood, will head into a runoff for her District 4 County Commission seat. With 2,003 votes, she received just 46.2 percent of the vote. Opponent Jewell Bunch received 24.6 percent with 1,069. Bearden Kirby received 811 votes and Howard Johnson received 455.
In Varnell, Ga., Allan Pippin and Sheldon Fowler will go to a runoff in a contest for Varnell City Council District 3 seat. Mr. Pippin got 20 votes and Mr. Fowler got 11, so neither achieved a 50 percent plus one majority. Jaramie Bickford and Clyde Williams II got 7 and 6 votes respectively.
There were no Democrats on the ballot for county commission seats across Northwest Georgia. Because the candidates selected Tuesday face no challenges in November, they will take office.
Georgia runoffs, which will include the Republican gubernatorial contest, are set for Aug. 10.
The general election is set for Nov. 2. All 56 of Georgia Senate seats and the 180 House seats are on that ballot, and a new governor will be elected.
Election numbers are complete but are unofficial until certified.