Red Tsunami hits Chattooga County

The three incumbent Democrats on the Chattooga County Board of Education lost their seats in Tuesday’s election.

The new Chattooga County Board of Education members will be Brad Hayes, Julia Houston, and Sammy Ballard. They will be sworn in at the January meeting.

Hayes defeated Alma Lewis for the district 2 seat:

• Hayes (R) received 3,493 votes (51.26%).
• Lewis (D) received 3,312 votes (48.61%).

Ballard defeated Eddie Massey for the district 3 seat:

• Ballard (R) received 3,580 votes (52.39%).
• Massey (D) received 3,252 votes (47.59%).

Dr. Julia Houston defeated Larry Weesner for the district 4 seat:

• Houston (R) received 3,509 votes (51.38%).
• Weesner (D): received 3,317 votes (48.57%).

While the local races were close, the red tsunami was evident in the state races.

Chattooga County results:

• Governor
  • Brian Kemp (R): 5931 (79.81%)
  • Stacy Abrams (D): 1443 (19.42%)
  • Ted Metz (L): 53 (00.05%)
  • Write-In: 4 (00.05%)
• Lt. Governor
  • Geoff Duncan (R): 5607 (78.75%)
  • Sarah Riggs-Amico (D): 1507 (21.17%)
  • Write-In: 6 (00.08%)
• Secretary of State
  • Brad Raffensperger (R): 5531 (76.30%)
  • John Barrow (D): 1595 (22.00%)
  • Smythe Duval (L): 121 (01.67%)
  • Write-In: 2 (00.03%)
• Attorney General
  • Chris Carr (R): 5695 (78.86%)
  • Charlie Bailey (D): 1525 (21.12%)
  • Write-In: 2 (00.03%)
• Commissioner of Agriculture
  • Gary Black (R): 5841 (80.78%)
  • Fred Swann (D): 1389 (19.21.%)
  • Write-In: 1 (00.01%)
• Insurance Commissioner
  • Jim Beck (R): 5575 (77.23%)
  • Janice Laws (D): 1489 (20.63%)
  • Donnie Foster (L): 153 (02.12%)
  • Write-In: 2 (00.03%)
• State School Superintendent
  • Richard Woods (R): 5837 (80.38%)
  • Otha Thornton, Jr. (D): 1422 (19.58%)
  • Write-In: 3 (00.04%)
• Commissioner of Labor
  • Mark Butler (R): 5750 (79.63%)
  • Richard Keatley (D): 1470 (20.36%)
  • Write-In: 1 (00.01%)

Proposed Amendments to Georgia Constitution; Referendum (Yay-Nay)

• Amendment 1  – Create Outdoor Trust Fund:
  • Yay: 5606 (78.44%)
  • Nay: 1541 (21.56%)
• Amd. 2 – Create Business Court:
  • Yay: 4461 (64.25%)
  • Nay: 2482 (35.75%)
• Amd. 3 – Promote Forest Conservation:
  • Yay: 3987 (58.01%)
  • Nay: 2886 (41.99%)
• Amd. 4 – Rights for Crime Victims:
  • Yay: 5411 (76.30%)
  • Nay: 1681 (23.70%)
• Amd. 5 – Allow School Tax Referendum:
  • Yay: 4635 (66.74%)
  • Nay: 2310 (33.26%)
• Referendum A – Provide for Homestead Tax: 
  • Yay: 3712 (54.64%)
  • Nay: 3081 (45.36%)
• Referendum B – Tax Exemption For Mental Disabilities:
  • Yay: 5066 (72.78%)
  • Nay: 1895 (27.22%)