ATHENS, Georgia — A northeast Georgia legislative district shifted parties Tuesday after Democrat Eric Gisler won a closely watched special election, securing 50.85% of the vote and flipping House District 121 for the first time since 2019. Gisler defeated Republican Mack “Dutch” Guest IV by nearly 200 votes in a conservative-leaning area spanning Clarke and Oconee counties.
Gisler, a tech executive and small business owner, emphasized affordability, health care access, and cost-of-living concerns. He attributed his win to intensive ground outreach and a message he said resonated with both Democratic and some Republican voters. Guest campaigned on conservative values, transportation improvements, education, and public safety but did not immediately comment following the results.
Another special election in metro Atlanta produced no outright winner. Republican Bill Fincher and Democrat Scott Sanders advanced to a January 6 runoff for House District 23 after each captured roughly a quarter of the vote in a six-candidate field. The seat was vacated following the death of Republican Rep. Mandi Ballinger.
Georgia has held multiple special elections this year due to resignations, appointments, and unforeseen vacancies, making these contests early indicators of statewide political momentum ahead of 2026. Democratic leaders celebrated the upset flip, while Republican officials urged renewed mobilization for the upcoming runoff.
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