Just after 9 p.m. Tuesday at Little Kings Shuffle Club in downtown Athens, it became clear that Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms was going to be the next governor of Georgia.
Incumbent U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff defeated Mike Collins earlier in the night, Democratic state senator Josh McLaurin defeated Greg Dolezal to succeed Lt. Governor Burt Jones and Penny Brown Reynolds Republican Tim Fleming to take the Secretary of State’s Office.
Georgia representative Spencer Frye celebrated with the rest of the Athens-Clarke County democrats as the blue wave reached the Peach State.
“It took 250 years for a person of color to be a governor in one of the 50 states,” Frye said. “We’re sitting here ringside watching history be made and I can’t be happier.”
Frye overwhelmingly won his election against Republican challenger Carol Hubbard in District 122.
He spoke about why he felt it was important to vote for Bottoms, who will be the first Black female governor in U.S. history.
“We have an opportunity to actually ease some pain in some people’s lives in this state and this nation,” Frye said. “I think it’s a great time for America.”
State House District 121 representative Eric Gisler lost his seat to Mack Dutch Guest, but felt a wave of emotion as he arrived at the party.
“It feels like we’ve got the momentum,” Gisler said. “I think people are tired of what they’ve been seeing and they’re looking for change and they’re voting for it and I think we’re starting to see it.”
As the night pushed on, democratic senate, house and gubernatorial candidates won across the country. By 10 p.m., democrats flipped the house of representatives and later flipped the senate.
State Senate District 46 candidate Ray Smith, who lost his race to Mark McMain, still was positive as he looked at the big picture on Election Night.
“This is a moment that we are all going to remember for the rest of our lives.
Smith said. “I’ve been telling people that this is our generation’s Obama moment.”
There wasn’t a ton locally to cheer for in the Athens and surrounding district elections for those at the democrat party. But with the way the national and state elections went, Athens mayor Kelly Girtz left happy.
“We have a beautiful road ahead, Georgia,” Girtz said.
