Georgia elections, 2014

A general election were held in the U.S. state of Georgia on November 4, 2014. All of Georgia's executive officers were up for election as well as a United States Senate seat and all of Georgia's fourteen seats in the United States House of Representatives. Primary elections were held on May 20, 2014. Primary runoffs, necessary if no candidate wins a majority of the vote, were held on July 22, 2014.

Governor

Incumbent Republican Governor Nathan Deal is running for re-election to a second term as Governor.

Deal was challenged in the Republican primary by State Superintendent of Schools John Barge[1] and Dalton Mayor David Pennington.[2] He defeated them all, winning renomination with 72% to 17% for Pennington and 11% for Barge.

State Senator Jason Carter, a grandson of former President and former Governor Jimmy Carter, was unopposed for the Democratic Party's nomination.[3]

Lieutenant Governor

Incumbent Republican Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle ran for re-election to a third term in office.[4] He was unopposed in the Republican primary.

Connie Stokes, a former DeKalb County Commissioner, former State Senator and candidate for Georgia's 4th congressional district in 2004 and 2010 was the Democratic nominee and was unopposed in her primary election.[5]

General election
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Casey
Cagle (R)
Connie
Stokes (D)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling November 1–3, 2014 975 ± 3.1% 52% 38% 10%
Landmark Communications November 2, 2014 1,500 ± 2.5% 53.6% 41.8% 4.6%
SurveyUSA October 30 – November 2, 2014 591 ± 4.1% 54% 38% 9%
Landmark Communications October 29, 2014 1,500 ± 2.5% 52.9% 42.2% 4.9%
SurveyUSA October 24–27, 2014 611 ± 4% 52% 41% 7%
SurveyUSA October 17–20, 2014 606 ± 4.1% 48% 40% 12%
SurveyUSA October 10–13, 2014 563 ± 4.2% 49% 42% 9%
Landmark Communications October 7–9, 2014 1,000 ± 3.1% 50% 42% 8%
SurveyUSA October 2–6, 2014 566 ± 4.2% 51% 39% 10%
Public Policy Polling October 2–5, 2014 895 ± 3.3% 48% 37% 16%
SurveyUSA September 19–22, 2014 550 ± 4.3% 47% 43% 10%
Landmark Communications September 9–11, 2014 1,109 ± 2.9% 49.6% 41% 9.4%
SurveyUSA September 5–8, 2014 558 ± 4.2% 51% 40% 9%
SurveyUSA August 14–17, 2014 560 ± 4.2% 53% 36% 12%

Attorney General

Incumbent Republican Attorney General Sam Olens ran for re-election to a second term in office.[6] He was unopposed in the Republican primary.

Greg Hecht, a former State Representative, former State Senator and candidate for Lieutenant Governor in 2006 was unopposed for the Democratic nomination.[7]

General election
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Sam
Olens (R)
Greg
Hecht (D)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling November 1–3, 2014 975 ± 3.1% 51% 37% 12%
SurveyUSA October 30 – November 2, 2014 591 ± 4.1% 51% 39% 9%
SurveyUSA October 24–27, 2014 611 ± 4% 48% 43% 10%
Landmark Communications October 20–21, 2014 1,000 ± 2.75% 51.5% 44.4% 4.1%
SurveyUSA October 10–13, 2014 563 ± 4.2% 46% 43% 11%
Landmark Communications October 7–9, 2014 1,000 ± 3.1% 50% 44% 7%
SurveyUSA October 2–6, 2014 566 ± 4.2% 46% 39% 15%
Public Policy Polling October 2–5, 2014 895 ± 3.3% 45% 36% 19%
SurveyUSA September 19–22, 2014 550 ± 4.3% 48% 41% 12%
SurveyUSA September 5–8, 2014 558 ± 4.2% 49% 41% 10%
SurveyUSA August 14–17, 2014 560 ± 4.2% 49% 36% 15%

Secretary of State

Incumbent Republican Secretary of State Brian P. Kemp ran for re-election to a second term in office.[8] He was unopposed in the Republican primary.

Democratic primary

Gerald Beckum, the Mayor of Oglethorpe,[9] and Doreen Carter, President of the Greater Lithonia Chamber of Commerce and a former Lithonia City Councilwoman, ran for the Democratic nomination.[10]

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Gerald
Beckum
Doreen
Carter
Undecided
SurveyUSA May 8–12, 2014 549 ± 4.2% 20% 48% 32%
SurveyUSA April 24–27, 2014 435 ± 4.8% 23% 48% 29%
SurveyUSA March 16–18, 2014 443 ± 4.8% 22% 45% 33%
Democratic primary results[11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Doreen Carter 201,052 68.79
Democratic Gerald Beckum 91,198 31.21
Total votes 292,250 100
General election
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Brian P.
Kemp (R)
Doreen
Carter (D)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling November 1–3, 2014 975 ± 3.1% 50% 41% 10%
SurveyUSA October 30 – November 2, 2014 591 ± 4.1% 52% 40% 8%
Landmark Communications October 29, 2014 1,500 ± 2.5% 51% 42.8% 6.2%
SurveyUSA October 24–27, 2014 611 ± 4% 51% 40% 9%
SurveyUSA October 17–20, 2014 606 ± 4.1% 47% 40% 13%
SurveyUSA October 10–13, 2014 563 ± 4.2% 48% 41% 11%
Landmark Communications October 7–9, 2014 1,000 ± 3.1% 50% 44% 7%
SurveyUSA October 2–6, 2014 566 ± 4.2% 49% 39% 13%
Public Policy Polling October 2–5, 2014 895 ± 3.3% 48% 39% 13%
SurveyUSA September 19–22, 2014 550 ± 4.3% 46% 44% 10%
SurveyUSA September 5–8, 2014 558 ± 4.2% 52% 39% 9%
SurveyUSA August 14–17, 2014 560 ± 4.2% 53% 36% 11%

Commissioner of Agriculture

Incumbent Republican Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black is running for re-election to a second term in office.[8] He was unopposed in the Republican primary.

Christopher Irvin, a contractor, nominee for the State House of Representatives in 2010 and grandson of former Commissioner Tommy Irvin, ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination.[12]

General election
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Gary
Black (R)
Christopher
Irvin (D)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling November 1–3, 2014 975 ± 3.1% 47% 41% 12%
SurveyUSA October 17–20, 2014 606 ± 4.1% 49% 40% 11%
Landmark Communications October 7–9, 2014 1,000 ± 3.1% 48% 43% 9%
Public Policy Polling October 2–5, 2014 895 ± 3.3% 45% 36% 19%

Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner

Incumbent Republican Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire Ralph Hudgens is running for re-election to a second term in office.[9] He was unopposed in the Republican primary.

Democratic primary

Insurance associate and former State Representative Keith Heard[13] and retired insurance professional Liz Johnson ran for the Democratic nomination.[14]

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Keith
Heard
Liz
Johnson
Undecided
SurveyUSA May 8–12, 2014 549 ± 4.2% 26% 43% 31%
SurveyUSA April 24–27, 2014 435 ± 4.8% 28% 48% 25%
SurveyUSA March 16–18, 2014 443 ± 4.8% 29% 45% 26%
Democratic primary results[11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Liz Johnson 203,318 69.93
Democratic Keith Heard 87,437 30.07
Total votes 290,755 100

Ted Metz has qualified as the Libertarian nominee.

General election
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Ralph
Hudgens (R)
Liz
Johnson (D)
Ted
Metz (L)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling November 1–3, 2014 975 ± 3.1% 46% 37% 6% 11%
Landmark Communications October 20–21, 2014 1,000 ± 2.75% 46% 40.6% 9.1% 4.3%
GaPundit.com October 13–14, 2014 1,543 ± 2.49% 45.76% 37.14% 9.53% 7.58%
Public Policy Polling October 2–5, 2014 895 ± 3.3% 41% 34% 10% 15%

Commissioner of Labor

Incumbent Republican Commissioner of Labor Mark Butler is running for re-election to a second term in office.[9] He was unopposed in the Republican primary.

Attorney and former State Representative Robbin Shipp is the Democratic nominee. She was unopposed in the primary election.[9]

General election
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Mark
Butler (R)
Robbin
Shipp (D)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling November 1–3, 2014 975 ± 3.1% 47% 39% 14%
Public Policy Polling October 2–5, 2014 895 ± 3.3% 45% 36% 19%

State Superintendent of Schools

Incumbent Republican State Superintendent of Schools John Barge did not run for re-election to a second term in office. He instead ran for Governor.[15]

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared
Withdrew
Declined

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Mary Kay
Bacallo
Ashley
Bell
Mike
Buck
Sharyl
Dawes
Allen
Fort
Nancy
Jester
Fitz
Johnson
Kira
Willis
Richard
Woods
Undecided
SurveyUSA May 8–12, 2014 634 ± 4% 5% 13% 9% 5% 7% 5% 5% 5% 8% 38%
SurveyUSA April 24–27, 2014 501 ± 4.5% 4% 10% 7% 4% 7% 7% 5% 3% 9% 43%
SurveyUSA March 16–18, 2014 508 ± 4.2% 2% 10% 8% 3% 8% 7% 5% 3% 9% 45%

Results

Republican primary results[11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mike Buck 91,435 19.52
Republican Richard Woods 78,542 16.77
Republican Mary Kay Bacallo 71,810 15.33
Republican Ashley Bell 70,065 14.96
Republican Nancy Jester 51,211 10.93
Republican Fitz Johnson 35,862 7.65
Republican Allen Fort 29,504 6.3
Republican Sharyl Dawes 25,468 5.44
Republican Kira Willis 14,584 3.11
Total votes 468,481 100

Runoff

Buck and Woods advanced to the runoff, which Woods won by 199,453 votes to 198,740. As his 713-vote margin of victory was less than 1%, a recount was considered likely.[24] Buck duly requested one on July 29[25] and two days later, Woods was confirmed as the winner after Buck only narrowed the margin by 13 votes.[26]

Republican primary runoff initial results[27]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Richard Woods 199,453 50.09
Republican Mike Buck 198,740 49.91
Total votes 398,193 100
Republican primary runoff results after recount[28]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Richard Woods 199,441 50.09
Republican Mike Buck 198,741 49.91
Total votes 398,182 100

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Tarnisha
Dent
Denise
Freeman
Jurita Forehand
Mays
Alisha Thomas
Morgan
Rita
Robinzine
Valarie
Wilson
Undecided
SurveyUSA May 8–12, 2014 549 ± 4.2% 10% 13% 6% 20% 3% 17% 30%
SurveyUSA April 24–27, 2014 435 ± 4.8% 10% 13% 5% 19% 5% 16% 30%
SurveyUSA March 16–18, 2014 443 ± 4.8% 9% 16% 11% 12% 5% 17% 29%

Results

Democratic primary results[11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Valarie Wilson 96,849 32.59
Democratic Alisha Thomas Morgan 78,460 26.4
Democratic Denise Freeman 54,428 18.32
Democratic Tarnisha Dent 40,007 13.46
Democratic Jurita Forehand Mays 16,818 5.66
Democratic Rita Robinzine 10,609 3.57
Total votes 297,171 100

Runoff

Wilson and Morgan advanced to a runoff, which Wilson won handily.[31]

Democratic primary runoff results[27]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Valarie Wilson 73,740 54.37
Democratic Alisha Thomas Morgan 61,882 45.63
Total votes 135,622 100

General election

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Richard
Woods (R)
Valarie
Wilson (D)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling November 1–3, 2014 975 ± 3.1% 47% 40% 13%
SurveyUSA October 30 – November 2, 2014 591 ± 4.1% 47% 44% 8%
Landmark Communications October 29, 2014 1,500 ± 2.5% 47.2% 46.5% 6.3%
SurveyUSA October 24–27, 2014 611 ± 4% 48% 43% 9%
Landmark Communications October 20–21, 2014 1,000 ± 2.75% 49.6% 45.8% 4.7%
SurveyUSA October 17–20, 2014 606 ± 4.1% 46% 44% 11%
GaPundit.com October 13–14, 2014 1,543 ± 2.49% 46.6% 43.23% 10.17%
SurveyUSA October 10–13, 2014 563 ± 4.2% 46% 46% 8%
SurveyUSA October 2–6, 2014 566 ± 4.2% 46% 42% 12%
Public Policy Polling October 2–5, 2014 895 ± 3.3% 46% 40% 14%
SurveyUSA September 19–22, 2014 550 ± 4.3% 46% 44% 10%
SurveyUSA September 5–8, 2014 558 ± 4.2% 47% 43% 10%
GaPundit.com August 24–25, 2014 1,578 ± 2.47% 46.89% 43.16% 9.95%
SurveyUSA August 14–17, 2014 560 ± 4.2% 51% 39% 10%

Public Service Commission

Two members of the five-person Georgia Public Service Commission are up for election.

District 1

District 1 incumbent Republican Herman D. "Doug" Everett is running for re-election.[9]

Libertarian John Monds, the nominee for the seat in 2008 and the nominee for Governor in 2010 has qualified as the Libertarian nominee to oppose Everett, who has no Democratic opponent.

General election
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Doug
Everett (R)
John
Monds (L)
Undecided
GaPundit.com October 13–14, 2014 1,543 ± 2.49% 45.04% 30.98% 23.98%

District 4

District 4 incumbent Republican Lauren "Bubba" McDonald is running for re-election to a second consecutive and third overall term in office.[32]

Republican primary

He was opposed in the Republican primary by attorney Doug Kidd[33] and insurance agent and Hall County Commissioner Craig Lutz.[34]

Republican primary results[11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Lauren "Bubba" McDonald 318,930 62.28
Republican Doug Kidd 106,738 20.84
Republican Craig Lutz 86,429 16.88
Total votes 512,097 100

Business manager and candidate for the State House of Representatives in 2008 Daniel Blackman was unopposed for the Democratic nomination in District 4.[9] Aaron Gilmer is the Libertarian nominee.

General election
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Lauren
McDonald (R)
Daniel
Blackman (D)
Aaron
Gilmer (L)
Undecided
GaPundit.com October 13–14, 2014 1,543 ± 2.49% 42.51% 37.27% 11.21% 9.01%

United States Senate

Incumbent Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss is retiring rather than run for re-election to a third term in office.

Seven Republicans ran for their party's nomination: U.S. Representative Paul Broun,[35] patent attorney Art Gardner,[36] U.S. Representative Phil Gingrey,[37] conservative political activist Derrick E. Grayson,[38] former Secretary of State of Georgia Karen Handel,[39] U.S. Representative Jack Kingston[40] and Georgia Ports Authority board member David Perdue.[41] Perdue and Kingston came first and second, respectively in the primary. As no candidate won a majority, the two proceeded to a runoff. Perdue won the runoff by a narrow margin.[27]

Four Democrats ran for their party's nomination: former State Senator Steen Miles,[42] daughter of former U.S. Senator Sam Nunn and CEO of Points of Light Michelle Nunn,[43] physician Branko Radulovacki[44] and Reserve Officers' Training Corps instructor Todd Robinson.[45] Nunn easily won the Democratic nomination with almost 75% of the vote.

United States House of Representatives

All of Georgia's fourteen seats in the United States House of Representatives will be up for election in 2014.

The race in the 12th congressional district is considered by political prognosticators to be the most competitive. In addition, open seat contests in the 1st, 10th, and 11th districts featured competitive Republican primaries for seats held by retiring Republican incumbents. There was also a competitive Democratic primary in the 4th district.[46]

References

  1. Cassidy, Christina A. (August 31, 2013). "Ga. schools superintendent to run for governor". Associated Press. Marietta Daily Journal. Retrieved August 31, 2013.
  2. Bluestein, Greg (July 9, 2013). "Dalton's mayor to challenge Deal in GOP primary". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
  3. Christina A. Cassidy (November 7, 2013). "Jason Carter, Jimmy Carter's Grandson, To Run For Georgia Governor". The Huffington Post. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
  4. "LT. GOV CASEY CAGLE FROM THE CAPITOL". ZPolitics. January 21, 2014. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  5. Cassidy, Christina A. (November 7, 2013). "Jimmy Carter's Grandson to Run for Ga. Governor". ABC News. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
  6. "Olens running for re-election". The Valdosta Daily Times. May 10, 2013. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  7. Kathleen Baydala Joyner (March 10, 2014). "Hecht to Challenge Olens for AG in Fall". Daily Report. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  8. 1 2 "AUDIO – Brian Kemp: Qualifies For Re-Election as Secretary of State". GAPundit.com. March 4, 2014. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "11 qualify to run for Chambliss's Senate seat". The Moultrie Observer. March 8, 2014. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  10. "DOREEN CARTER QUALIFIES TO RUN FOR SECRETARY OF STATE". On Common Ground News. March 7, 2014. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 "UNOFFICIAL RESULTS General Primary/General Nonpartisan/Special Election May 20, 2014". Georgia Secretary of State. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
  12. "2014: The year of the legacy candidate in Georgia". 11Alive. March 7, 2014. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  13. "Jason Carter Wows Athens Dems; Keith Heard Is Running for Insurance Commissioner". Flagpole. February 28, 2014. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  14. "Obamacare Obstructor Ralph Hudgens Has a Democratic Challenger". Flagpole. December 10, 2013. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  15. 1 2 "Barge Running For Governor". GPBNews. September 3, 2013. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  16. "After holding office for 1 year, Bacallao to run for state school superintendent". The Citizen. December 18, 2013. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  17. "Bell joins crowded race for state superintendent". Gainesville Times. February 25, 2014. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  18. "Mike Buck announces candidacy for State School Superintendent". Rome News-Tribune. February 4, 2014. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  19. "Sharyl Dawes Announces Campaign For State School Superintendent". Peach Pundit. February 27, 2014. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  20. "DeKalb watchdog Nancy Jester mounts school superintendent campaign". Gwinnett Daily Post. November 12, 2013. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  21. "Around Town: School spirit: Johnson will seek to give Ga. fresh school leadership". The Marietta Daily Journal. October 5, 2013. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  22. "Five Republicans, one Democrat vying to replace John Barge". Albany Herald. December 3, 2013. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  23. "Shultz ends campaign for state superintendent". The Daily Tribune News. February 19, 2014. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  24. "Recount looks likely in Republican superintendent race". Retrieved December 17, 2014.
  25. http://www.ajc.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/georgia-certifies-runoff-election-results-setting-/ngqNZ/ Georgia GOP race for school superintendent headed for a recount
  26. http://www.ajc.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/buck-loses-recount-in-georgia-gop-schools-race/ngrxQ/ Buck loses recount in Georgia GOP schools race
  27. 1 2 3 "General Primary Runoff and General Nonpartisan Election Runoff July 22, 2014". Georgia Secretary of State. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
  28. http://www.northwestgeorgianews.com/rome/mike-buck-loses-recount-in-republican-race-for-state-schools/article_5677eb86-18f8-11e4-ade2-001a4bcf6878.html Mike Buck loses recount in Republican race for state schools superintendent
  29. "Representative Alisha Thomas Morgan Runs For State School Superintendent". CBS Atlanta. November 12, 2013. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  30. "Valarie Wilson Announces Her Candidacy for Georgia State School Superintendent". Digital Journal. March 11, 2014. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  31. AJC: Wilson appears to have won Democratic runoff in superintendent's race
  32. "Rumors Not True, Bubba McDonald Running for Reelection". Peach Pundit. January 23, 2014. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  33. "Doug Kidd announces candidacy for PSC". Peach Pundit. December 3, 2013. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  34. "HALL CO COMMISH WILL ANNOUNCE FOR PSC TONIGHT". Z Politics. July 22, 2013. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  35. Sullivan, Sean (February 6, 2013). "Paul Broun announces Georgia Senate bid". Washington Post. Retrieved February 7, 2013.
  36. "Republican Art Gardner Announces For U.S. Senate". The Albany Journal. October 9, 2013. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
  37. Galloway, Jim (March 27, 2013). "Phil Gingrey enters 2014 race for U.S. Senate". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved March 27, 2013.
  38. Blau, Max (May 23, 2013). "Meet Derrick Grayson, 'The Minister of Truth,' yet another U.S. Senate candidate". Creative Loafing (Atlanta). Retrieved May 23, 2013.
  39. Trygstad, Kyle (May 17, 2013). "Karen Handel Enters Georgia Senate Race". Roll Call. Retrieved May 17, 2013.
  40. Sullivan, Sean (May 2, 2013). "Kingston joins Republican Senate field in Georgia". Washington Post. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  41. Trygstad, Kyle (July 24, 2013). "Well-Known Businessman Joins Crowded Georgia Senate Primary #GASEN". Roll Call. Retrieved July 24, 2013.
  42. Smith, Jessica (August 30, 2013). "Steen Miles announces run for state Senate". Crossroads News. Retrieved September 3, 2013.
  43. Galloway, Jim (July 22, 2013). "Michelle Nunn declares herself a U.S. Senate candidate". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved July 23, 2013.
  44. Blau, Max (June 13, 2013). "Meet 'Dr. Rad,' the first Democratic U.S. Senate candidate in Georgia". Fresh Loaf. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
  45. Owen, Mike (August 20, 2013). "Former Army Ranger seeks to replace Chambliss in U.S. Senate". Ledger-Enquirer. Retrieved September 3, 2013.
  46. "Tom Brown Formidable Primary Challenge to Hank Johnson in House". At the Races. Retrieved December 17, 2014.
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