Georgia Democrats see momentum after special elections wins

Source: The Hill

11/08/25 5:00 PM ET


Democrats are feeling bullish about their chances of clinching both the Senate and governor’s races in Georgia next year after the party won a pair of special elections this week that were seen as potential bellwether races ahead of 2026. Democrats flipped two seats on the Georgia Public Service Commission on Tuesday, marking the first time in nearly two decades that the party won a statewide constitutional office.

Republicans are brushing off the special election wins, saying local elections ultimately drove higher Democratic engagement. But Democrats believe the election results are giving the party a reason to feel optimistic about Sen. Jon Ossoff’s (D-Ga.) reelection and their chance to flip the governor’s mansion.

“I think this shows the momentum that we have going into next year,” Democratic Party of Georgia Chair Charlie Bailey told reporters on Wednesday. Democratic candidates Alicia Johnson and Peter Hubbard beat incumbents Tim Echols and Fitz Johnson for seats on the Georgia Public Service Commission on Tuesday, two under-the-radar special elections that would normally be considered sleepy races.

But the party framed the campaigns as a referendum on higher costs of living as well as the GOP-controlled commission, where Georgia Power customers saw six rate increases within two years. Affordability was a central theme in Democrats’ campaigns throughout the country on Tuesday.

Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5595943-georgia-democrats-special-election-wins/