The closest election for the Georgia House of Representatives — decided by 48 votes — is being contested in court by a Republican candidate whose lawsuit calls the results “highly unusual.”
Tracy Wheeler, a Republican activist and businessperson, challenged the election Wednesday following her loss to Democratic state Rep. Mack Jackson, a pastor.
Wheeler’s lawsuit alleges the election should be invalidated because ineligible voters who live outside House District 128 were allowed to participate while eligible voters weren’t allowed to cast ballots. The suit also claims ballots were wrongfully rejected, among other irregularities.
The lawsuit doesn’t provide details backing up the claims. If Wheeler proves there were enough votes to put the results in doubt, a judge could order a new election.
Jackson defeated Wheeler 13,926 to 13,878, a 0.2 percentage point margin, according to official results certified last week.
“A lifelong fighter, Tracy is committed to ensuring that every vote is counted fairly and accurately,” a news release from her campaign states. “She will not back down in her pursuit of a thorough and transparent review of the election results for the voters of House District 128.”
Credit: Phil Skinner
Credit: Phil Skinner
Jackson, who was elected to the House in 2008, didn’t immediately respond to messages seeking comment Friday.
The Georgia Republican Party announced support for Wheeler, saying it is concerned that redistricting mistakes allowed voters living outside the area to participate in the race.
House District 128 includes the cities of Sandersville, Sparta and Thomson in the eastern part of Georgia. The district covers all of Glascock, Hancock, Warren and Washington counties, and parts of Baldwin and McDuffie counties.
After this month’s election, Democrats gained two seats in the Georgia House, but Republicans still hold a 100-80 majority.
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