# 2018 Georgia state elections

Elections in Georgia :
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vte :
A general election was held in the U.S. state of Georgia on November 6, 2018. All of Georgia's executive officers were up for election, as well as all of Georgia's fourteen seats in the United States House of Representatives. Neither U.S. Senate seat was up for election in 2018. The Republican Party won every statewide office in 2018.

## Governor

Incumbent Republican governor Nathan Deal was term-limited and unable to seek re-election to a third consecutive term.
Secretary of State Brian Kemp won the Republican nomination, defeating incumbent Republican lieutenant governor Casey Cagle in a runoff election. Georgia General Assembly Minority Leader Stacey Abrams won the Democratic nomination. Ted Metz ran for the Libertarian Party. Kemp beat Abrams following a very divisive campaign.

## Lieutenant governor

Potential Republican candidates included Georgia Senate President Pro Tempore David Shafer, State Representative Geoff Duncan, Senate Majority Leader Bill Cowsert, State Senator Butch Miller, State Senator Burt Jones, Secretary of State Brian Kemp, Public Service Commissioner Tim Echols and former adjutant general of the Georgia National Guard Jim Butterworth. State Representative Allen Peake was also speculated as a potential candidate, but ruled out a bid.
As of November 2017, the declared Democratic candidate was Sarah Riggs Amico, an auto executive. Potential Democratic candidates included 2010 Attorney General nominee, former Dougherty County District Attorney Ken Hodges.

### Democratic primary

* Sarah Riggs Amico, businesswoman
* Triana Arnold James, small business owner and veteran

#### Primary results

Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Sarah Riggs Amico | 278,662 | 55.24 |
| | Democratic | Triana Arnold James | 225,758 | 44.76 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 504,420 | 100 |

### Republican primary

* Geoff Duncan, state representative
* Rick Jeffares, state senator
* David Shafer, state senator

#### Primary results

Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | David Shafer | 268,221 | 48.91 |
| | Republican | Geoff Duncan | 146,163 | 26.65 |
| | Republican | Rick Jeffares | 134,047 | 24.44 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 548,431 | 100 |

#### Runoff results

Republican primary runoff results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Geoff Duncan | 280,465 | 50.14 |
| | Republican | David Shafer | 278,868 | 49.86 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 559,333 | 100 |

### General election

Georgia lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Geoff Duncan | 1,951,738 | 51.63 |
| | Democratic | Sarah Riggs Amico | 1,828,566 | 48.37 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,780,304 | 100 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## Attorney general

Incumbent Republican attorney general Sam Olens resigned to become president of Kennesaw State University effective November 1, 2016, with Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Christopher M. "Chris" Carr being appointed to serve the remainder of the term. Carr would be eligible to run for election to a full term in 2018.
Potential Republican candidates included State Senator Josh McKoon and former state representative B.J. Pak.
Potential Democratic candidates included State Representative Stacey Evans and former Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commission Chair Lester Tate. 2010 nominee and former Dougherty County District Attorney Ken Hodges was considered a potential candidate, but decided to run for a seat on the Georgia Court of Appeals instead. Columbus Mayor Teresa Tomlinson ruled out running for attorney general. As of July 2018, Charlie Bailey, former Senior Assistant District Attorney in the Fulton County District Attorney's office, was running.

### Democratic primary

* Charlie Bailey, former Fulton County Senior Assistant District Attorney

#### Primary results

Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Charlie Bailey | 456,105 | 100 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 456,105 | 100 |

### Republican primary

* Chris Carr, incumbent

#### Primary results

Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Chris Carr (incumbent) | 475,122 | 100 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 475,122 | 100 |

### General election

Governing magazine projected the race as "leans Republican".
Georgia Attorney General election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Chris Carr (incumbent) | 1,981,563 | 51.30 |
| | Democratic | Charlie Bailey | 1,880,807 | 48.70 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,862,370 | 100 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## Secretary of state

Incumbent Republican secretary of state Brian Kemp ran for governor.
State Representative Buzz Brockway ran for the Republican nomination. Other potential Republican candidates included Alpharetta Mayor David Belle Isle and State Senators Steve Gooch, John Albers, and Michael Williams.
The Democratic nominee was former U.S. Representative from Georgia's 12th congressional district, John Barrow, who defeated Dee Dawkins-Haigler and Rakeim "RJ" Hadley in the primary.
The Libertarian candidate was Smythe Duval. He won the nomination at the Georgia State Libertarian Convention in February 2018.

### Democratic primary

* John Barrow, former U.S. representative
* Dee Dawkins-Haigler, former state representative and candidate for the state senate in 2016
* RJ Hadley, former Rockdale County Tax Commissioner and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2010

#### Primary results

Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | John Barrow | 264,864 | 51.48 |
| | Democratic | Dee Dawkins-Haigler | 151,963 | 29.54 |
| | Democratic | RJ Hadley | 97,682 | 18.99 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 514,509 | 100 |

### Republican primary

* Buzz Brockway, state representative
* David Belle Isle, mayor of Alpharetta
* Joshua McKoon, state senator
* Brad Raffensperger, state representative

#### Primary results

Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Brad Raffensperger | 185,386 | 34.96 |
| | Republican | David Belle Isle | 151,328 | 28.54 |
| | Republican | Joshua McKoon | 112,113 | 21.14 |
| | Republican | Buzz Brockway | 81,492 | 15.37 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 530,319 | 100 |

#### Runoff results

Republican primary runoff results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Brad Raffensperger | 331,127 | 61.74 |
| | Republican | David Belle Isle | 205,223 | 38.26 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 536,350 | 100 |

### General election

Georgia Secretary of State election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Brad Raffensperger | 1,906,588 | 49.1 |
| | Democratic | John Barrow | 1,890,310 | 48.7 |
| | Libertarian | Smythe DuVal | 86,696 | 2.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,883,594 | 100.00 |

#### Runoff results

Georgia Secretary of State runoff election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Brad Raffensperger | 764,855 | 51.9 |
| | Democratic | John Barrow | 709,049 | 48.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,473,904 | 100.0% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## Commissioner of Agriculture

Incumbent Republican Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black was eligible to run for re-election to a third term in office.
Fred Swann was the Democratic candidate for Commissioner of Agriculture.

### Democratic primary

* Fred Swann

#### Primary results

Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Fred Swann | 444,869 | 100 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 444,869 | 100 |

### Republican primary

* Gary Black, incumbent

#### Primary results

Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Gary Black (incumbent) | 481,263 | 100 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 481,263 | 100 |

### General election

Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Gary Black (incumbent) | 2,040,097 | 53.08 |
| | Democratic | Fred Swann | 1,803,383 | 46.92 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,843,480 | 100 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## Commissioner of Insurance

Incumbent Republican Commissioner of Insurance Ralph Hudgens did not run for re-election.
Cindy Zeldin, executive director of Georgians for a Healthy Future, ran for the Democratic nomination.
Donnie Foster won the Libertarian nomination for Insurance Commissioner at the Georgia Libertarian Convention in February 2018.

### Democratic primary

* Janice Laws
* Cindy Zeldin, executive director of Georgians for a Healthy Future

#### Primary results

Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Janice Laws | 303,526 | 62.86 |
| | Democratic | Cindy Zeldin | 179,335 | 37.14 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 482,861 | 100 |

### Republican primary

* Jim Beck, former Deputy Insurance Commissioner
* Jay Florence
* Tracy Jordan

#### Primary results

Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jim Beck | 313,852 | 59.69 |
| | Republican | Jay Florence | 109,850 | 20.89 |
| | Republican | Tracy Jordan | 102,108 | 19.42 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 525,810 | 100 |

### General election

Georgia Commissioner of Insurance election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jim Beck | 1,944,963 | 50.37 |
| | Democratic | Janice Laws | 1,814,499 | 46.99 |
| | Libertarian | Donnie Foster | 102,163 | 2.65 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,861,625 | 100 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## Commissioner of Labor

Incumbent Republican Commissioner of Labor Mark Butler was eligible to run for re-election to a third term in office.

### Democratic primary

* Richard Keatley
* Fred Quinn

#### Primary results

Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Richard Keatley | 235,837 | 51.52 |
| | Democratic | Fred Quinn | 221,959 | 48.48 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 457,796 | 100 |

### Republican primary

* Mark Butler, incumbent

#### Primary results

Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Mark Butler (incumbent) | 478,012 | 100 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 478,012 | 100 |

### General election

Georgia Commissioner of Labor election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Mark Butler (incumbent) | 2,019,389 | 52.46 |
| | Democratic | Richard Keatley | 1,830,061 | 47.54 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,849,450 | 100 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## State Superintendent of Schools

Incumbent Republican State Superintendent of Schools Richard Woods ran for re-election to a second term in office.
Potential Democratic candidates included Georgia Association of Educators president Sid Chapman and former National PTA President Otha Thornton.

### Democratic primary

* Sid Chapman, president of the Georgia Association of Educators
* Sam Mosteller
* Otha E. Thornton Jr., former National PTA president

#### Primary results

Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Otha E. Thornton Jr. | 208,407 | 43.87 |
| | Democratic | Sid Chapman | 173,270 | 36.47 |
| | Democratic | Sam Mosteller | 93,402 | 19.66 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 475,079 | 100 |

#### Runoff results

Democratic primary runoff results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Otha E. Thornton Jr. | 87,528 | 59.14 |
| | Democratic | Sid Chapman | 60,480 | 40.86 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 148,008 | 100 |

### Republican primary

* John Barge, former Georgia Superintendent of Schools
* Richard Woods, incumbent

#### Primary results

Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Richard Woods (incumbent) | 324,848 | 60.13 |
| | Republican | John Barge | 215,431 | 39.87 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 540,279 | 100 |

### General election

Georgia State Superintendent of Schools election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Richard Woods (incumbent) | 2,048,003 | 53.02 |
| | Democratic | Otha E. Thornton Jr. | 1,814,461 | 46.98 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,862,464 | 100 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## Public Service Commission

Elections were held for District 3 and District 5 of the Public Service Commission.
In District 3, Ryan Graham was the Libertarian candidate for Public Service Commission.
In District 5, John Turpish was the Libertarian candidate for Public Service Commission.

### District 3 Democratic primary

* Lindy Miller
* John Noel
* Johnny C. White

#### Primary results

Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Lindy Miller | 312,467 | 65.43 |
| | Democratic | John Noel | 90,327 | 18.91 |
| | Democratic | Sam Mosteller | 74,777 | 15.66 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 477,571 | 100 |

### District 3 Republican primary

* Chuck Eaton, incumbent

#### Primary results

Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Chuck Eaton (incumbent) | 471,261 | 100 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 471,261 | 100 |

### District 3 General Election

Georgia Public Service Commissioner election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Chuck Eaton (incumbent) | 1,917,656 | 49.70 |
| | Democratic | Lindy Miller | 1,838,020 | 47.63 |
| | Libertarian | Ryan Graham | 102,878 | 2.67 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,858,554 | 100.00 |

#### Runoff results

Georgia Public Service Commissioner runoff election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Chuck Eaton (incumbent) | 758,553 | 51.75 |
| | Democratic | Lindy Miller | 707,267 | 48.25 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,465,820 | 100.0% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 5 Democratic primary

* Dawn A. Randolph
* Doug Stoner

#### Primary results

Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Dawn A. Randolph | 366,727 | 78.58 |
| | Democratic | Doug Stoner | 99,958 | 21.42 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 466,685 | 100 |

### District 5 Republican primary

* John Hitchins III
* Tricia Pridemore, incumbent

#### Primary results

Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Tricia Pridemore (incumbent) | 280,099 | 53.04 |
| | Republican | John Hitchins III | 247,980 | 46.96 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 528,079 | 100 |

### District 5 General Election

Georgia Public Service Commissioner election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Tricia Pridemore (incumbent) | 1,937,599 | 50.25 |
| | Democratic | Dawn A. Randolph | 1,820,868 | 47.23 |
| | Libertarian | John Turpish | 97,203 | 2.52 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,855,670 | 100 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## General Assembly
### State senate

All 56 seats in the Georgia State Senate were up for election in 2018.

### State House

All 180 seats in the Georgia House of Representatives were up for election in 2018.

## United States House of Representatives

All of Georgia's fourteen seats in the United States House of Representatives were up for election in 2018. Democrats flipped one seat that elected a Republican in the previous election, resulting in them holding five of the state's 14 seats.

## Controversies

The gubernatorial race was particularly controversial during the 2018 elections, as Republican candidate Brian Kemp was also the Georgia Secretary of State, a position which involves overseeing the electoral process, leading to allegations of conflicts of interests. Despite calls from Georgia Democrats, organizations such as the NAACP and Common Cause, and former president Jimmy Carter, Kemp did not relinquish the position until after the election.
Accusations were also leveled at Kemp with regards to the purging of voter rolls that was done under his oversight. Removing names from voter rolls is a common practice in the case of voters who are deceased or have moved out of state, but since 2017, the practice had spiked in Georgia. Due to strict voting rules in Georgia, tens of thousands of citizens lost their right to vote because of otherwise trivial issues, such as small differences between pieces of identification or insufficiently similar signatures. Kemp was accused of using the voter roll purge as a tactic to disenfranchise more than half a million people, predominantly African-Americans, which has been likened to voter suppression.