See Columbus area election results for Democratic & GOP primaries in Georgia Legislature
Challengers qualified to run in Tuesday’s party primary elections against three of the Georgia Legislature incumbents representing the Columbus area.
All of those locally contested races were for seats in the George House of Representatives. There were no locally contested races in the Georgia Senate.
Here are the results:
Georgia House
District 137: In the Democratic primary, incumbent Debbie Buckner of Talbot County, retired, defeated challenger Carlton Mahone Sr. of Talbot County, a pastor.
The Associated Press declared Buckner the winner at 9:20 p.m. With an estimated 85% of the votes counted as of 10:54 p.m., Buckner received 3,004 votes (81%) to 694 (19%) for Mahone.
Buckner advanced to the November general election against Stephen Acorn of Muscogee County, a sales executive who ran unopposed in the Republican primary.
“As always, I am very grateful for the support of our community and the hard work of our volunteers,” Buckner told the Ledger-Enquirer in a text message. “Campaigning has changed some in recent years, especially with social media. However, I think the human touch of meeting folks where they are, and listening to their concerns, will always be the most important way to campaign.
“Having lived in this district since I was a toddler and represented it for the last 22 years, I know it well. My family will tell you I live on the road, crisscrossing the district in some capacity just about every day. I’m honored that the voters know me and the work I’ve done, and have entrusted me to continue representing them under the Gold Dome.”
District 138: Incumbent Vance Smith (R) of Harris County, a consultant, ran unopposed. No Democrat qualified for this race.
District 139: A vacant seat, with candidates running to succeed the deceased Richard Smith (R), who died from the flu Jan. 30 at age 78.
After none of the four candidates received a majority of the votes in the April 9 special election, Carmen Rice, a human resources professional in Columbus and former Muscogee County GOP chair, defeated Sean Knox, a Republican and president of Knox Pest Control in Columbus, in the May 7 runoff to fill the remainder of Smith’s current term through the end of this year.
The other two candidates were Robert Mallard, an independent, who is co-founder and beekeeper with the Foundation Honey Co. in Columbus, and Donald Moeller, a Republican, who is a oral and maxillofacial surgeon in Columbus.
In Tuesday’s Republican primary, Rice, Knox and Moeller faced off for their party’s nomination to compete in the Nov. 5 general election for the full two-year term against Mallard, who is an independent and doesn’t need to run in the primary, and Carl Sprayberry, a Columbus chef, who is the only Democrat to qualify to campaign for this seat in the regular election.
The Associated Press declared Rice the winner of the Republican primary at 10:40 p.m., with an estimated 96% of the votes counted. Rice received 2,202 votes (56%), Knox 1,678 (43%) and Moeller 42 (1%).
“Once again, I am so humbled by the outpouring of support from District 139,” Rice wrote in an email to the Ledger-Enquirer. “Thank you to the huge amount of volunteers who folded letters, waved signs, door knocked, and so much more. This victory is for YOU. Let’s take this decisive win and move forward together toward a better District 139 and a better Georgia!”
District 140: Incumbent Teddy Reese (D) of Muscogee County, an attorney, faced challenger Alyssa Nia Williams (D) of Muscogee County, an analyst. No Republican qualified in this race.
With all counties in the district reporting as of 11:07 p.m., Reese was re-elected. He received 1,762 votes (83%) to 350 (17%) for Williams.
“I am very grateful to the people of Columbus for trusting my leadership,” Reese wrote to the L-E in a text message. “Every day, I fight to make our home a better place. For the next two years, I will continue to give my all to make the lives of the people of our region better. Our Seniors, Veterans, and our youth know that they have a champion holding the line of equality, access, justice, and opportunity.
“Change is not easy, but when we stand together, as one, we can accomplish amazing results.The key to my victory tonight was driven by the results I have delivered to this region. I was more than a candidate. I am the current representative that they have delivered time and time again. I have never and will never take the citizens for granted. They hired me to do a job, and it will get done.
“We will continue to fight for resources to enhance economic development, fight crime, provide opportunities, and show compassion to the least of these. It is my greatest honor to represent Columbus under the gold dome.”
District 141: incumbent Carolyn Hugley (D) of Muscogee County, a licensed insurance agent, ran unopposed. No Republican qualified in this race.
Georgia Senate
District 15: incumbent Ed Harbison (D) of Muscogee County, a businessman, ran unopposed. No Republican qualified in this race.
District 29: incumbent Randy Robertson (R) of Harris County, a retired law enforcement officer ran unopposed. In the Nov. 5 general election, he will face challenger Ellen Wright (D) of Meriwether County, retired.
This story was originally published May 21, 2024 at 11:20 PM.
