In a historic election-year turnout, more Americans voted in this year’s election than in any other election in U.S. history. As of Monday morning, nearly 160 million registered voters exercised their civic responsibility to vote for the U.S. President down to local ballot measures. In Gwinnett County, over four hundred thousand votes were cast.
During this year’s election cycle, the Gwinnett Chamber focused on providing election and candidate information for voters through multiple mediums. In May and September, the chamber hosted virtual candidate forums for U.S. House of Representatives GA District 7, County Chair, County Commissioner Districts 1 & 3, and Gwinnett County Board of Education Districts 1, 3, & 5. Additionally, written questionnaires were distributed to all candidates for response. For candidates seeking office in the Georgia General Assembly, the chamber offered candidates a video spotlight feature. The Gwinnett Chamber believes in the importance of civic engagement and are committed to provide resources about voter information and candidates.
U.S. Congress
Georgia’s two Senate seats are headed into a runoff election in January as no candidate reached the 50% plus one threshold. In the U.S. House, Congressman Hank Johnson won Georgia’s 4th Congressional District and Congressman Jody Hice won the 10th Congressional District. Georgia’s 7th Congressional District will welcome a new representative in Carolyn Bourdeaux. All three congressional districts share a portion of Gwinnett County. The Gwinnett Chamber congratulates our elected officials in Congress.
Gwinnett County
Beginning next year, Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners will welcome three new county commissioners, including a new chairman in Nicole Love Hendrickson. Kirkland Carden, former Duluth city councilman, and Jasper Watkins will assume their new role as Commissioner for District 1 and 3, respectively. In addition to the newly elected commissioners, Gwinnett welcomes a new District Attorney (Patsy Austin-Gatson), Sheriff (Keybo Taylor), and Tax Commissioner (Tiffany Porter).
Gwinnett School Board welcomes two new members in Karen Watkins and Dr. Tarece Johnson (District 1 & 5, respectively). District 3 welcomes back Dr. Mary Kay Murphy.
The Gwinnett Chamber congratulates the county’s newly elected officials and look forward together.
Georgia General Assembly
Gwinnett County is represented by 7 State Senators and 18 State Representatives. The Gwinnett Chamber congratulates the 19 elected officials returning to the Georgia Capitol and welcomes the 6 newly elected Senators and Representatives: Michelle Au, Clint Dixon, Kim Jackson, Marvin Lim, Nikki Merritt, and Rebecca Mitchell.
Gwinnett Education SPLOST & Gwinnett Transit Referendum
In August, the chamber board approved two resolutions in support of the Education SPLOST and the Transit Referendum. Support for education funding and a robust transit system are important for the economic growth in the county. World-class schools, less traffic congestion, and regional connectivity all attribute to Gwinnett’s success. While the Education SPLOST passed with overwhelming support, the county remained divided on transit, with the referendum failing by 1000 votes in a virtual tie. Although the chamber is disappointed in its outcome, we look forward to working with the county commission and cities to find the best solution for improved mobility throughout the county.
Election Results by Race
(Winners in BOLD)
US Senate (Perdue)
David Perdue
Jon Ossoff
Run-off election Jan 5
US Senate (Loeffler)
Raphael Warnock
Kelly Loeffler
Run-off election Jan 5
US House District 4
Hank Johnson
Johsie Cruz Ezammudeen
US House District 7
Carolyn Bourdeaux
Rich McCormick
US House District 10
Jody Hice
Tabitha Johnson-Green
State Senate District 5
Sheikh Rahman (uncontested)
State Senate District 9
Nikki Merritt
PK Martin
State Senate District 40
Sally Harrell
Garry Guan
State Senate District 41
Kim Jackson
William Park Freeman
State Senate District 45
Clint Dixon
Matielyn Jones
State Senate District 48
Michelle Au
Matt Reeves
State Senate District 55
Gloria Butler (uncontested)
State House District 81
Scott Holcomb (uncontested)
State House District 93
Dar’Shun Kendrick
Hubert Owens Jr.
State House District 94
Karen Bennett
State House District 95
Beth Moore
Erica McCurdy
State House District 96
Pedro Marin (uncontested)
State House District 97
Bonnie Rich
Mary Blackmon Campbell
State House District 98
David Clark
Taeho Cho
State House District 99
Marvin Lim (uncontested)
State House District 100
Dewey McClain (uncontested)
State House District 101
Sam Park
Carol Field
State House District 102
Greg Kennard
Soo Hong
State House District 103
Timothy Barr
Clifton Marshall
State House District 104
Chuck Efstration
Nakita Hemingway
State House District 105
Donna McLeod
Eric Dierks
State House District 106
Rebecca Mitchell
Brett Harrell
State House District 107
Shelly Hutchinson
Michael McConnell
State House District 108
Jasmine Clark
Johnny Crist
State House District 114
Tom Kirby (uncontested)
County Chair
Nicole Love Hendrickson
David Post
Commissioner District 1
Kirkland Carden
Laurie McClain
Commissioner District 3
Jasper Watkins
Ben Archer
School Board District 1
Karen Watkins
Carole Boyce
School Board District 3
Mary Kay Murphy
Tanisha Banks
School Board District 5
Tarece Johnson
George Puicar
Tax Commissioner
Tiffany Porter
Richard Steele
District Attorney
Patsy Austin-Gatson
Danny Porter
Sheriff
Keybo Taylor
Lou Solis
Education SPLOST
YES – 302,852 (76.62)
NO – 92,433 (23.38%)
Transit Referendum
YES – 198,514 (49.87%)
NO – 199,527 (50.13%)
2020 Voter Turnout
Gwinnett ballots cast: 416,458 (72%)
2018 Voter Turnout
Gwinnett ballots cast: 338,125 (64%)
2016 Voter Turnout
Gwinnett ballots cast: 332,149 (77%)