Nathan Deal leads GOP charge in midterm elections while gay-friendly candidates face strong challenges
Gay-friendly Democrat and political newcomer Elena Parent knocked off incumbent Jill Chambers in a close battle for District 81 in the Georgia State House. The margin of difference was less than 300 votes.
With 99 percent of the precincts reporting this morning in District 81, Parent held on to victory with 3,315 votes, or 52 percent, to Chambers' 3,039 votes, or 48 percent, according to unofficial results from the Georgia Secretary of State.
Parent gave a victory speech at the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference center at about 11 p.m. Tuesday, although some news outlets at the time were calling the race too close to call. The results this morning show Parent held on for the victory.
As the noon deadline for major party candidates to qualify for this year's elections passed on Friday, Georgia's two openly gay state lawmakers remained unopposed for new terms.
With the official qualifying period winding down for candidates who want to run for seats in the Georgia General Assembly, at least two gay-friendly incumbents face challengers who are also drawing gay support.