Democrats in Georgia’s 7th Congressional District will return to the polls in August for the runoff between Carolyn Bourdeaux and, according to the Associated Press, state Rep. Brenda Lopez Romero. The winner will face Rich McCormick in November.
Bourdeaux, a professor and former budget director for the State Senate, narrowly lost in 2018 to incumbent U.S. Rep. Rob Woodall. Now making the second attempt, she has said her near success two years ago -- especially in light of concerns she raised about the process and irregularities -- puts her in the best position to help Democrats flip this seat in 2020.
However, the other five Democrats running in the primary questioned that line of thinking and said the Democratic nominee should reflect the diversity of the Gwinnett and Forsyth county-based district.
Lopez Romero, if she is elected, would become the first Latina to represent Georgia in the U.S. House. She campaigned on her long-standing ties in the district, which overlaps the boundaries of her state House seat.
“You and I are going to run off,” she posted on Twitter around 3 a.m. when the AP called the race.
Counting is still underway, and the Democratic runoff slate could change.
Related: Where 7th District Democratic candidates stand on the issues
Whoever wins that race will face emergency room physician McCormick in the general election. He won the GOP primary in the 7th District outright, besting six other candidates.
McCormick had faced accusations that he was not loyal enough to President Donald Trump, but he focused on building up support across the district and led the field in fundraising during the most recent reporting period.
McCormick also focused on his service both as a hospital doctor attending to COVID-19 patients and previously in the Marines and Navy that included tours in Afghanistan, the Persian Gulf and Africa. He attended the Morehouse College of Medicine where his peers elected him student body president.
‘Tonight’s election results prove that our community wants new, conservative leadership,” McCormick said. “With faith, hard work, and trust in the electorate, our campaign exceeded all expectations.”
His main rival was state Sen. Renee Unterman, who purchased ads attacking McCormick. Although she had the second-highest vote tally, she fell far short of forcing a runoff.
Read more: A running list of results in Georgia federal races
Also: Election 2020: AJC Election results June 9, 2020
Photos: Georgia voters struggle with long lines, new equipment
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