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Building Majority Power: Election Wins & What’s Next
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Building Majority Power: Election Wins & What’s Next
🍑 This Week in Georgia:
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia forum brought together six gubernatorial candidates to outline their visions for the state — with affordability front and center.
Democrats focused on tangible ways to lower the costs of housing, childcare, and healthcare, highlighting ideas like expanding Medicaid, workforce housing, and direct family support.
The forum showed how Democrats plan to translate big ideas into practical results while drawing sharp contrasts with Republican policies. Expect affordability to dominate the 2026 race. You can watch the forum here: AJC's Politically Georgia Candidates Forum 2025
A Big Week for Democrats in Georgia
It was a historic week for Georgia Democrats.
In a stunning victory, Democrats flipped two statewide seats on the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) — offices that had been entirely Republican-held. Alicia Johnson and Peter Hubbard both defeated GOP incumbents, with each earning nearly 63 % of the vote. Both Democrats ran on platforms of affordable energy and utility accountability.
These are the first non-federal statewide wins for Georgia Democrats since 2006, and Johnson becomes the first Black woman ever elected to a partisan statewide office in Georgia.
Party leaders, including DNC Chair Ken Martin and Georgia Democratic Chair Charlie Bailey, celebrated the victories as a direct response to Republican policies that have burdened working families.
These wins underscore a growing appetite among Georgia voters for leadership that prioritizes working families and holds powerful utilities accountable. They also signal a potential shift in statewide politics, showing that Democrats can compete—and win—beyond federal races.
In Atlanta, Mayor Andre Dickens won reelection, defeating several challengers. Dickens’ first term saw a decline in violent crime rates, an issue many residents prioritized. In his second term, he plans to continue his public safety initiatives while also focusing on expanding affordable housing and addressing homelessness throughout the city.
In the Special Election for State House District 106 (Gwinnett County), Democrat Marqus Cole led with 39%, Muhammad Akbar Ali earned 32%, and Republican Jamie Parker finished at 29%. Since no candidate cleared 50%, Cole and Ali advance to a December 2 runoff.
Nationwide, Democrats also celebrated strong showings – with Zohran Mamdani in New York City, Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey, and Abigail Spanberger in Virginia all winning decisively, contributing to a broader Democratic shift in the country’s political landscape heading into 2026.
A Surprise Special Election: Georgia House District 121
Just days after Georgia Democrats’ historic Public Service Commission victories, all eyes now turn to Athens and Oconee, home to State House District 121. On October 28th, Rep. Marcus Wiedower announced his resignation, effective immediately, triggering a Special Election for Georgia State House District 121 on December 9th.
🗞️ You can read more from Flagpole here.
This seat isn’t just another race — it’s one of the “majority-maker” districts Democrats need to win control of the Georgia House by the end of 2030. District 121 has long been on The 2030 Project’s watch list: a fast-changing area where population growth, shifting voter engagement, and local issue alignment make it increasingly competitive.
The December special election arrives at a moment of renewed energy and optimism for Democrats across the state. The PSC wins have energized local organizing networks, small-donor fundraising, and voter enthusiasm. The Special Election for State House 121 presents Democrats with the opportunity to build on this euphoric momentum heading in 2026, while Republicans have the chance to salvage something as we close out 2025.
Please note, there is also a special election scheduled for December 9th in State House District 23, due to the tragic passing of Representative Mandi Ballinger.
These Special Elections on December 9th are a reminder that every seat, and every cycle, matters in building a fair and representative Georgia House.
Amid SNAP Crisis, Georgia Communities Take Action
During this government shutdown, President Trump has attempted to use SNAP as a bargaining chip to will the Democrats into signing his bill to increase healthcare premiums for every day working Americans. This has affected millions of American’s ability to eat.
Today, the Trump Administration appealed a federal judge’s order requiring full November SNAP payments, arguing that courts lack the power to compel federal spending and that only Congress can authorize the funds. The move deepens the crisis, as millions of families remain uncertain about how they’ll put food on the table during the shutdown. This would mean 1.5 million Georgians including 640,000 children would lose their SNAP benefits.
With the program's future uncertain, community organizations and people in Georgia are stepping up and acting fast. Atlanta’s mayor, Andre Dickens, has paused evictions to give families much needed breathing room.
The Atlanta Community Foodbank has tapped millions from its reserves to stock emergency supplies and has intensified outreach efforts to meet the growing need. Nearly 180 organizations—from faith leaders to business groups—are pressuring state officials to release emergency funds. Across Georgia, food pantries are launching emergency drives and preparing for unprecedented demand. In counties like Henry and Fulton, drive-through food distributions are underway, while local churches and community centers have opened pop-up pantries. Even the state’s youth are stepping up: several teenagers in Gwinnett County have started fundraising and partnering with nonprofits to distribute food boxes. Advocacy groups, including the Georgia NAACP, are publicly urging state leaders to act. As federal safety nets falter, Georgians are proving their resilience, mobilizing pantries, expanding hours, and supporting neighbors in need.
Below are locations where Atlanta Food Bank is hosting a Mobile Food Pantry Distribution event.
Momentum for a Stronger Georgia
As we move through this pivotal moment for Georgia and the nation, one message remains clear: progress is powered by people. From election victories to community-led action during the SNAP crisis, Georgians are showing what is possible when we stay engaged, informed, and united. The work continues, and together, we are building a stronger, more equitable future for every family in our state.
Until next time,
Fund year-round organizing. Flip the GA State Legislature.
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