Georgia Conservation Voters Statement on Special Primary Results
(Atlanta, Georgia) On a rainy Tuesday in June, in an off-year, with only two counties holding concurrent municipal elections, over 188,000 Georgians came out to vote in this election. 140,000 of them voted for change. Turnout for pro-environment, budget-friendly candidates was higher by a 2:1 margin.
Georgia Conservation Voters-endorsed candidate Dr. Alicia Johnson, a Democrat from Savannah, amassed more votes than any other candidate because she understands this election isn’t about her. It’s about the families in Chatham and across our state who are tired of dealing with unaffordable power bills and environmental racism. It’s about incumbent commissioners who’ve taken hundreds of thousands of dollars from the companies they’re supposed to regulate. When 59% of Americans don’t have enough savings to cover an unexpected $1,000 emergency expense, voters will reward candidates who are credible fighters for a Georgia we can all afford.
Unfortunately, our state’s leadership is dead set on worsening the affordability crisis. Summer utility rates have just gone into effect, raising bills precipitously when families can least afford it. Making matters worse, the current federal budget proposal would defund utility bill assistance, which could result in 150,000 Georgia households losing access to power next year. We’re still waiting for any sitting Commissioner to answer our call to keep the lights from going out. Based on their current silence, we believe voters will hold them accountable for this latest in a long string of disappointments.
We next turn our attention to a July 15th runoff for District 3’s Democratic Nomination between Keisha Waites and Peter Hubbard. Georgia Conservation Voters is excited to see two fighters for the people of Georgia continue to make their case for the position and will make decisions about potential endorsements ahead of the General Election.
Turnout was generally higher in places served by responsive local media, and we appreciate the diligent work of reporters around the state to highlight the election. We remain committed to raising awareness about this critical race—and fighting for energy justice for all Georgians — through November and beyond.
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