Politics & Government
Race For Late GA House Speaker's Seat Heads To Runoff
Sheree Ralston, widow of the late Georgia House Speaker David Ralston, won a majority of the votes but did not clear the required threshold.
GEORGIA — The race for Georgia House District 7 is going into a runoff, with voters to choose between Sheree Ralston and Johnny Chastain for the vacant seat.
A special election was held Tuesday in Fannin, Gilmer and a portion of Dawson counties to determine who will replace the late Georgia House Speaker David Ralston.
Ralston died Nov. 16, 2022, of an "extensive illness," his representatives said at the time. The Republican was the 73rd Speaker of the House and the longest currently-serving state house speaker in the country.
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His widow, Sheree, garnered 3,582 votes (45.02%) while Chastain received 3,125 votes (39.28%). Neither candidates cleared the mandated 50% plus one vote threshold.
A runoff will be held Jan. 31.
Find out what's happening in Across Georgiafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Sheree is executive director of the Fannin County Development Authority while Chastain, a banker, is listed as a board member of the authority. Both are Republicans.
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