By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
MARCH 15, 2024 (updated 3/19) | With a million people now in Gwinnett, it means Gwinnett has a lot of political offices, and more representation in the Georgia House and Senate.
On Tuesday, we listed local candidates for office such as the courthouse positions, plus county commission, school board, and judgeships, there were 52 people seeking one of those offices. There were 24 people seeking the seven courthouse offices. But that was only part of the story. Eleven people were running for the three School Board seats, while 13 different judgeships were up for grabs. But only three judges have opponents, while eight go back into office without an opponent.
Now, when it comes to legislative posts, here another big crowd of candidates appears, in all, 78 people seeking to represent Gwinnett.
- A total of 41 candidates are running for 21 seats in the Georgia House of Representatives.
- There are 27 people hoping to get a term as a state senator, and only nine seats.
- For Congress, Gwinnett is part of four districts, and there are
1016 candidates for the four positions.
Put it another way: 43 legislative positions being sought by 85 91 candidates. Nine House candidates are not opposed, while two of nine Senate members have no one running against ‘em. And all four Congressional seats are contested.
The House members with no primary or general election opponents are Reps. Doreen Carter, Karen Bennett, Dar’shun Kendrick, Chuck Efstration, Shelly Hutchison, Dewey McClain, and Bruce Williamson.
One state senator has no opposition: Clint Dixon.
- CLICK HERE to see a [updated] list of all candidates.
Multiple House candidates
We will not list here legislators that have only one opponent. (See attached list.) There were some surprises in these posts. In House District 48 in Peachtree Corners, Republican Scott Hilton is opposed by William Freeman for the GOP nomination, and will face Democrat Laura Murvartian, who lives in Fulton County, in November.
There are three people running for departing Rep. Pedro Marin’s seat: they are former Norcross Councilwoman Arlene Beckles, Neva Thompson and Sonia Lopez. Incumbent David Clark has GOP opposition from Mitchell Day, and the winner faces Democrat Jennifer Ambler of Forsyth County in November.
Senate offices with many candidates
The Senate has found several offices with multiple candidates. District 7 has four newcomers seeking office: Clara Richardson-Ogluin, Fred Clayton, Gregory Howard and Michael Garguiulo.
Democratic Incumbent Sally Harrell in District 40 will face a candidate of her own party in the primary: David Luban, while Amelia Siamomua is the Republican candidate.
Then Senate district 55 has five candidates seeking office, all Democrats. They include Iris Hamilton, Osborn Murray III, Randal Mangham, Robin Bird and Veerdillia Turner.
For Congress
[UPDATED, 3/19] All four current Congressmen representing part of Gwinnett drew opposition, as highlighted in the chart below:
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- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
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