Democrats pulled off a pair of upsets in Georgia by defeating two Republican incumbents on the state’s Public Service Commission.

Democrats Peter Hubbard and Alicia Johnson delivered the upset victories Tuesday night.

The victories mark the first time Democrats have won a state-level office in Georgia since 2006.

Georgia Recorder shared more:

As of 10:15 p.m., Alicia Johnson led with about 60.5% of the vote, according to unofficial results from the Georgia Secretary of State’s website, while Hubbard carried 60.7% of the vote.

The PSC regulates Georgia’s major utilities, including Georgia Power, and its decisions directly impact residential energy bills.

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Republican incumbent Tim Echols, who has served on the commission since 2011, congratulated Johnson Tuesday night.

“Congratulations to Dr. Alicia Johnson for her well-fought victory tonight. I pray your experience on the PSC will be as meaningful as mine. Godspeed to you,” Echols posted online.

Alicia Johnson in a statement pledged to support energy policy at the PSC that benefits the public, rather than catering to the interests of powerful energy companies.

“This victory isn’t just mine, it’s ours. It’s for the single mother choosing between groceries and her power bill, the senior trying to keep the lights on, and the young voter who showed up believing that their voice matters,” Johnson said in a press release.

Hubbard, a clean energy advocate, ousted Republican incumbent Commissioner Fitz Johnson in the District 3 race. In a statement, Hubbard framed the results as a clear mandate from voters frustrated by soaring power costs.

“Johnson and Hubbard won tonight’s Georgia Public Service Commissioner race by focusing on the issue that matters most to Georgians: lowering costs,” Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin said, according to The Hill.

“This victory is a direct response to Trump’s cost-raising agenda that is squeezing pocketbooks in Georgia and across the country,” he added.

The surprising results marked the largest statewide margin of victory for Democrats in Georgia in over 20 years.

The Hill noted:

Republicans held all five commissioner seats heading into Tuesday and will still hold a 3-2 majority on the commission with the Democrats’ wins. But the election results could be a warning for Republicans heading into the 2026 midterms amid signs of high voter enthusiasm among Democrats.

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Republicans were able to stave off a challenge earlier this year in a special election for a Georgia Senate seat after Democrat Debra Shigley forced Republicans into a runoff during the general election for District 21. Republican Jason Dickerson ultimately won the seat in the runoff.

 

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