Three Georgia House members lose primaries, others face runoffs

An early voter, who wore gloves to cast their ballot, shows off their sticker during Georgia's primary election at the Gwinnett County Voter Registration and Elections Office in Lawrenceville, Ga., Monday, May 18, 2020. (Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP) An early voter, who wore gloves to cast their ballot, shows off their sticker during Georgia's primary election at the Gwinnett County Voter Registration and Elections Office in Lawrenceville, Ga., Monday, May 18, 2020. (Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

By JEFF AMY / Associated Press June 10, 2020 3 min read

ATLANTA (AP) – At least three incumbent members of the Georgia state House of Representatives have lost their seats in primaries, while at least two House members and a state senator have been forced to Aug. 11 runoffs against primary opponents.

All 56 senators and 180 House members are on the ballot this year, but many face no opposition. Democrats are hoping to make further gains, especially in the state House, while Republicans hope to counterattack after losses in 2018.

With six races still uncalled Wednesday as counting continued, a total of 17 runoffs were set.

Pastor and bank manager Sharon Henderson beat five-term Conyers Democrat Pam Dickerson on Tuesday in House District 113 after losing to her two years ago. Three-term Republican Jeff Jones of Brunswick lost to former House member Buddy DeLoach in House District 167. Jones had been one of a group of Republicans who had been critics of GOP House Speaker David Ralston. Rep. El-Mahdi Holly, a first-term Stockbridge Democrat, lost his House District 111 primary to real estate agent Tarji Dunn.

None of the three victorious challengers face opposition in November, meaning they have effectively won two-year terms.