Runoff elections decided key Macon races last night. Catch up on Middle Georgia results

Four contested races with implications for Macon were decided in Tuesday’s runoff elections, with results reported prior to 10 p.m.

With all precincts reporting, results showed winners for the Macon-Bibb County Commission’s District 3 and District 8 seats. The Republican nominee for U.S. House District 2 was also decided, as was the Democratic nominee for District 145 in the state House of Representatives. In Houston County, a school board race was on the ballot too.

The candidates were on the ballot Tuesday after no one in their races managed to get a majority of votes in the May election.

Who won District 3 commission seat?

Stanley Stewart has won the race for the Macon-Bibb County Board of Commissioners District 3 seat, according to election results from the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office, which showed Stewart holding 65.55% of votes with all precincts reported. Stewart will replace Elaine Lucas, who reached her term limit this year.

Steward defeated Melvin Flowers in the runoff.

Stanley is a graduate of Northside High School and has lived in Macon for 47 years. He served as vice president of Belvedere Manor and Weaver Heights Neighborhood Association, chairman of the Macon Film Commission, an elder at Washington Avenue Presbyterian Church and worked in the county’s office of workforce development. During the campaign Stewart promised to strengthen Macon’s public safety, economic development and infrastructure.

Winner for District 8 commissioner

Donice Bryant has won the race for the Macon-Bibb County Commission District 8 seat, according to state election results that showed Bryant getting 65.28% of votes with all precincts reporting Tuesday. Bryant will replace Virgil Watkins Jr., who reached his term limit this year.

Bryant defeated Kim Jenkins in the runoff.

Bryant’s background is in law enforcement at the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office. She has also volunteered with Alternate Life Path and House of Hope in Atlanta. She said she wants to use her time as commissioner to address public safety, economic development, infrastructure and neighborhood blight.

Final Results for District 2 Seat in Congress

Wayne Johnson has won the Republican nomination for Georgia’s 2nd Congressional District, according to the Associated Press. Johnson beat opponent Chuck Hand and will face Democratic incumbent Sanford Bishop in November.

Johnson made headlines after Hand walked out during a televised debate earlier this month. Hand said he wouldn’t debate Johnson because he lives outside of the 2nd District. Federal law does not require House representatives to live in the district they represent.

The race for the 2nd District was the subject of further controversy because of reports that Hand pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and admitted to breaking a piece of metal fencing and illegally entering the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection. He was sentenced to 20 days of incarceration.

Johnson lives in Bibb County and previously served in former President Donald Trump’s administration as head of the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Student Finance. He also is an Army veteran and business owner, according to his campaign website. If elected, Johnson said he wants to focus on protecting gun rights, increasing security at the U.S.-Mexico border, securing crop insurance and credit for farmers, and addressing the national debt.

Georgia House District 145, Democratic nomination

Tangie Herring has won the Democratic nomination for Georgia House of Representatives District 145, defeating Juawn Jackson, according to the AP. Herring will face the Republican nominee, Noah Harbuck, in November.

Herring holds degrees from Georgia College and State University, Fort Valley State University and Mercer University. She grew up in Macon and spent three decades as a teacher. Herring said during the campaign that if elected, she wants to focus on expanding health care access, improving public safety, creating quality public schools, increasing affordable housing options and supporting economic growth.

Houston County School Board race was also on ballot

Some neighboring Houston County residents had a choice to make Tuesday too: Clyde Jackson Jr. contended with Angel Bowen Brown for Post 7 on the Houston County Board of Education. Jackson won with 51.76% of the vote, according to results from the secretary of state’s office.

Jackson had initially been disqualified from the race because his wife works for the board of education, but he was quickly reinstated.