Will Atlanta get its first gay mayor in 2017? Georgia political blog the Peach Pundit is up with a report...
Three out of four openly gay incumbents in the Georgia General Assembly proved victorious in Tuesday's primary, while gay challengers in contested races were less successful. A lesbian attorney also won a seat on the Fulton County State Court in the July 31 vote.
With 52 percent of precincts reporting, State Rep. Margaret Kaiser appears to be cruising to reelection in State House District 59. Kaiser, an LGBT rights ally, has 80.11 percent of the vote, compared to 19.89 percent for openly gay challenger William Phelps, according to unofficial results from the Fulton elections office.
With no Republican on the ballot, today's Democratic primary will decide who gets the seat.
The vote could prove controversial after some Fulton County voters were directed to the wrong precincts and may have voted the wrong ballots, but Kaiser's lead is substantial.
Georgia Equality and Atlanta Stonewall Democrats endorsed Kaiser, who was first elected in 2006. She graduated from Emory University and has worked in constituent affairs with the Secretary of State and also The Carter Center. She’s currently president of her family’s business, Kaiser Dough and Pizza Concepts, which owns Grant Central and Grant Central East Pizza.
Openly gay William Phelps challenges incumbent Margaret Kaiser
Halfway through the five-day qualifying period for major party candidates for this year’s elections, the two openly gay incumbents in the Georgia House have not drawn opponents.