Eric Gisler, Democratic candidate for the Georgia State House of Representatives, won the Republican seat in the special election for Clarke and Oconee counties to fill a vacancy in District 121, following the resignation of the former representative Marcus Wiedower.

Gisler defeated Republican Mack “Dutch” Guest IV by just 200 votes, winning 50.85% to 49.15%. House District 121 encompasses Clarke and Oconee counties, with the majority of its voters in Oconee, a heavily Republican county.

Gisler benefited from strong Democratic turnout on both sides of the county line.

He won 82% of the vote in Clarke County and 36% in Oconee, figures about 10 percentage points higher than what Democrats typically get. "This was a team effort. We did it. We had the local presence, the volunteers. We had the right message," Gisler told supporters at an Athens-Clarke County Democratic Committee meeting at the Trappeze Pub in downtown Athens. The Democratic victory, against the Republican candidate in a district that voted for President Donald Trump by about 12 percentage points in 2024, comes a year before the critical 2026 midterm elections, when Georgians will vote in closely contested races for Senate and governor. The Georgia Democratic Party congratulated Eric Gisler, a local olive oil shop owner: “This isn't just a victory for the Democrats “In Georgia, this is a victory for every family in Oconee and Clarke counties who have been struggling to get by under 22 years of failed Republican leadership.” “Across the state, Georgians are realizing there is only one party working to cut costs, keep health care affordable, and put people over big corporations: the Democratic Party,” said Charlie Bailey, State Democratic Party Chairman, in a statement.

“Our momentum is only growing, and we will continue working, organizing, and developing strategies superior to the Republicans so that this translates into more victories for Georgians in 2026.”

Democrats were hoping to pull off an upset. after a superior performance in the recent Tennessee special election.They also flipped two seats on the Georgia Public Service Commission in November, causing a stir in the state's political circles. This Tuesday's victory was the party's second major win. Previously, Democrats flipped the Miami mayoral race, breaking the Republican Party's hold for the first time in nearly three decades. They also hope that an energized voter base and a message emphasizing affordability will help them win the House of Representatives and potentially the Senate. Special elections are inherently unpredictable, and leaders of both parties either hoped or feared that President Donald Trump's unpopularity would propel Gisler to victory, even though the district was rigged to favor Republicans. Gisler will be sworn in when the state legislature agrees for its 2026 session on January 12, completing the final year of Wiedower's two-year term. Next fall, Gisler's challenge will be to retain the seat. Wiedower lost to Democrat Jonathan Wallace under similar circumstances in 2017, but won it back a year later, when voting patterns normalized. Gisler will be sworn in when the state legislature agrees for its 2026 session on January 12, completing the final year of Wiedower's two-year term. Next fall, Gisler's challenge will be to retain the seat. Wiedower lost to Democrat Jonathan Wallace under similar circumstances in 2017, but won it back a year later when voting patterns normalized. Gisler will be sworn in when the state legislature agrees for its 2026 session on January 12, completing the final year of Wiedower's two-year term. Next fall, Gisler's challenge will be to retain the seat. Wiedower lost to Democrat Jonathan Wallace under similar circumstances in 2017, but won it back a year later when voting patterns normalized.completing the final year of Wiedower's two-year term. Next fall, Gisler's challenge will be to retain the seat. Wiedower lost to Democrat Jonathan Wallace under similar circumstances in 2017, but won it back a year later when voting patterns normalized. Gisler will be sworn in when the state legislature agrees for its 2026 session on January 12, completing the final year of Wiedower's two-year term. Next fall, Gisler's challenge will be to retain the seat. Wiedower lost to Democrat Jonathan Wallace under similar circumstances in 2017, but won it back a year later when voting patterns normalized.completing the final year of Wiedower's two-year term. Next fall, Gisler's challenge will be to retain the seat. Wiedower lost to Democrat Jonathan Wallace under similar circumstances in 2017, but won it back a year later when voting patterns normalized. Gisler will be sworn in when the state legislature agrees for its 2026 session on January 12, completing the final year of Wiedower's two-year term. Next fall, Gisler's challenge will be to retain the seat. Wiedower lost to Democrat Jonathan Wallace under similar circumstances in 2017, but won it back a year later when voting patterns normalized.

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