Gwinnett County District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson fended off challenges from her former No. 2 and No. 3 employees in the Democratic primary Tuesday night, winning more than 50% of the vote and avoiding a runoff, according to unofficial results.
Austin-Gatson sighed with relief in a Wednesday phone interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
“I’m glad and humbled and honored to be able to serve the people for another four years,” she said.
Her challengers, Andrea Alabi and Daryl Manns, criticized her for a homicide conviction rate that fell to 57% in 2022 before jumping again to 100% last year. Austin-Gatson also faced controversy after attempting to ban Delta-8, a CBD product that gives a milder high than marijuana, in the county.
Austin-Gatson is one of many Gwinnett elected officials whose victory four years ago constituted a blue wave, flipping longtime Republican seats. This year, there are no Republican candidates for district attorney and Austin-Gatson is presumed to have won another term.
Her first term was also marked by new initiatives including a conviction integrity unit and a cold case unit. The Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council has recently given her office multiple awards.
“I believe my support came from true Dems and people that really saw what I have done as the leader of my office, and I think it was appreciated by them,” Austin-Gatson said.
Gwinnett County Commission Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson appeared to trounce her challenger, former state Rep. Donna McLeod, in the Democratic primary. In November she will face Republican John Sabic, who two years ago ran unsuccessfully for the District 2 seat.
“I am honored to have so many voters believe in our vision of a healthier, safer, and more sustainable Gwinnett,” Hendrickson said on social media.
Sheriff Keybo Taylor also avoided a runoff in a four-way Democratic primary, according to unofficial results. He will face Republican Mike Baker in November.
District 3 Commissioner Jasper Watkins III apparently defeated his challenger, Marqus A. Cole, in the Democratic primary. He will face Republican Bobby Howard in November.
Austin-Gatson, Hendrickson, Taylor and Watkins were all the first Black politicians elected to their respective offices four years ago as Gwinnett’s demographic changes took hold politically.
Democratic Tax Commissioner Denise Mitchell seemed to defeat her challenger, Phillip Bonton III. She will face Republican Arefeen Chowdhury this fall. Mitchell was appointed tax commissioner after the death of her predecessor, Democrat Tiffany Porter, who also defeated a Republican four years ago to become Gwinnett’s first Black tax commissioner.
Only one countywide race, for superior court judge, is headed for a runoff. Magistrate Court Judge Regina Matthews and former county attorney Tuwanda Rush Williams will face off next month, according to unofficial results.
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