B. Kemp Wins Here; Statewide Undecided

Although the Georgia governor’s race looked headed for a runoff Wednesday morning, voters in Jasper County were pretty adamant in their selection of Brian Kemp for governor.

Some 65 percent of Jasper County’s registered voters cast votes in Tuesday’s election, including some 62 provisional votes. With the provisional votes, the voter has three days to return to the Courthouse with their information verifying their ability to vote there, explained Chief Registrar Carole Norris.

Here, Brian Kemp received 74.54 percent of the vote, compared to Stacey Abrams 24.94 percent, and Ted Metz’s 0.52 percent. Mr. Metz, the Libertarian candidate, will be eliminated if a runoff is necessary, meaning the battle between B. Kemp and S. Abrams will go on until December 4 when voters will have to return to the polls.

In other races, Jasper’s outcome was much like the statewide outcome, with Republican Geoff Duncan receiving 75 percent of the vote, and S.R. Amico getting 25 percent. The totals down the ballot looked the same…Republican 75 percent; Democrat, 25 percent, with B.

Raffensperger handily taking the Secretary of State seat here, Chris Carr winning the Attorney General bid, Gary Black remaining agriculture commissioner, J. Beck winning as insurance commission, R. Woods remaining state school superintendent and M. Butler remaining as labor commissioner.

Statewide results were not as lopsided, with Democrats turning out in force and taking control of the House of Representatives.

Locally, Rep. Susan Holmes, a Republican, had no opposition, and neither did Senator Burt Jones whose territory includes Jasper County.

Also, County Commissioners Bruce Henry, District 2, and Craig Salmon, District 4, were elected without opposition.

All the proposed constitutional amendments passed both here and statewide.