Nathan Deal leads GOP charge in midterm elections while gay-friendly candidates face strong challenges

Midterm election review

Barnes concedes race for Ga. governor to Deal

“To God be the glory,” Republican Nathan Deal declared as he took the stage at about 11:45 p.m. Tuesday night to claim victory as Georgia’s next governor. Deal said Barnes had called him to concede the race. Barnes spoke to his supporters at the same time, also referencing religion.

State Rep. Mike Jacobs appears to win easy victory

State Sen. Mike Jacobs (R-Atlanta) appeared to sail to an easy victory over challenger first-time political candidate Sandy Murray in District 80 in Tuesday’s election. With 57 percent of the precincts reporting, Jacobs carried an easy lead over Murray with 67.1 percent of the votes to 32.9 percent, according to unofficial state Secretary of State results.

GOP Jill Chambers trails in bid to return to Ga. House to political newcomer

Gay-friendly state Rep. Jill Chambers (R-Atlanta) is trailing in her fight for another term against Democratic opponent Elena Parent, a political newcomer. Chambers was first-elected to the post in 2002.

Gay man falls short in bid for Ga. Senate

The one known gay candidate in a contested race on Tuesday has fallen short in his bid for the Georgia Senate.

In State Senate District 47, Tim Riley, a gay mental health counselor who lives in Athens, ran as a Democrat for the same seat he sought in 2008. Riley, endorsed by the Atlanta Stonewall Democrats, faced Republican Frank Ginn, an engineer from Danielsville.

UPDATED: Gay-friendly Dems win in Ga. Congressional Districts 4, 5

Georgia’s two most gay-friendly members of the U.S. House won reelection Tuesday, despite the Republican Party taking control of the House in a switch likely to doom repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and other gay rights priorities this year.