Voters in Powder Springs and Douglasville elected African-American candidates for mayor, believed to be a first for both metro Atlanta cities, in Tuesday's runoff elections. Meanwhile in DeKalb County, the Republican party picked up a state Senate seat in a district formerly held by a Democrat.
In Powder Springs, former City Councilman Al Thurman was elected mayor, believed to be the first African-American mayor in any Cobb County city. In Douglasville, Rochelle Robinson defeated incumbent Mayor Harvey Persons. Robinson is the first African-American and the first woman chosen to lead the Douglas County city.
And in State Senate District 43, covering parts of DeKalb, Rockdale and Newton counties, Republican JaNice Van Ness won a tight race. The seat was previously held by a Democrat.
In other runoff elections:
Johns Creek voters chose winners for two City Council seats. The complicated choices there included two separate votes for the same office. One winner will serve only until the end of the year. And that winner was defeated in a second runoff to represent the same council seat beginning in January. Chris Coughlin won the temporary election in Post 2, but Jay Lin won the vote for the full term in Post 2 and takes office in January. Need more details?
Outside Atlanta, Savannah chose its next mayor. Challenger Eddie DeLoach defeated incumbent Mayor Edna Jackson.
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