Democrats are on course to take control of the Georgia House of Representatives for the first time since 2004, according to unofficial results from Tuesday’s midterm elections.
Preliminary figures put Democrats on 93 seats, compared with 86 for Republicans, in the 180-member chamber. One contest remains unresolved, with House District 151 expected to go to a runoff.
Democrats need 91 seats for a majority. If the current results stand, the party will take control when Georgia’s new General Assembly convenes in January, ending more than two decades of Republican leadership in the state House.
The outcome has not yet been certified and several close races remain vulnerable to further counting, corrections or recount requests.
Georgia House majority rests on unfinished races
House District 151 remains undecided after a three-way contest involving Republican Mike Cheokas, Democrat James Wolfe and independent Travis Lockhart. No candidate appears to have secured the majority required for an outright victory.
The seat is not expected to determine which party controls the chamber, but could affect the eventual size of the Democratic majority.
Two other contests are being closely watched because of their exceptionally narrow margins. In District 103, which covers parts of Gwinnett and Hall counties, Democrat Chris Luchey is ahead by 27 votes.
In District 154 in south-west Georgia, Democrat Harry James holds a lead of 59 votes over his Republican rival. Both races remain unofficial, and candidates may seek recounts if the final margins fall within the limits set by Georgia law.
Until the results are certified, neither contest can be treated as settled.
Democrats hail apparent breakthrough
Charlie Bailey, chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia, declared victory on Tuesday night despite the outstanding races and described the result as “a new era” for the state.
Bailey credited Democratic candidates and House Democratic Leader Carolyn Hugley, while saying the incoming majority would focus on expanding Medicaid, tackling rising costs and supporting struggling local hospitals.
The apparent breakthrough would mark a significant shift in Georgia politics. Republicans have controlled the state House since winning power after the 2004 elections, while Democrats now await the final count and the formal certification of the results.
