ATLANTA (AP) – A map that would prevent a Democratic challenger from running for Georgia Public Service Commission against incumbent Republican Commissioner Tim Echols passed the state House by a 97-68 vote on Friday, sending the measure to Gov. Brian Kemp for his signature or veto.
The vote on Senate Bill 472 comes as qualifying begins Monday for two commission seats up for election in November, although a federal judge could still intervene to alter the election plan by ordering commissioners to be elected by district. Now, commissions are elected statewide while required to live in one of five districts.
The commission controls how much Georgia Power Co. can charge on electric bills and also regulates private natural gas companies.
Echols, a District 2 Commissioner and Hoschton Republican, is up for reelection to a six-year term this year, while Republican District 3 Commissioner Fitz Johnson of Atlanta is running for the remaining two years of former Commissioner Chuck Eaton’s term. Gov. Brian Kemp appointed Eaton to a judgeship and named Johnson to replace Eaton.
Democrat Patty Durand of Peachtree Corners in Gwinnett County had filed to challenge Echols, but won’t be able to run if Kemp signs the map, because her county will be drawn out of Echols’ district and into Commissioner Lauren “Bubba” McDonald’s District 4. Durand can’t move, because candidates must live in their district for a year before November’s election.