Two Democrats advance to a December runoff for Georgia state House seat in Gwinnett County

Two Democratic candidates seeking to replace outgoing state Rep. Shelly Hutchinson are headed to a December runoff after neither managed to clinch over half of the vote in a three-way race that overlapped with other statewide and municipal elections.  Hutchinson, a Snellville Democrat who has held the seat since 2019, stepped down from the state […]

Democrats Marqus Cole (left) and Muhammad Akbar Ali (right) are headed to a December runoff after neither managed to clinch over half of the vote in a three-way special election. Photos courtesy of the candidates.

Two Democratic candidates seeking to replace outgoing state Rep. Shelly Hutchinson are headed to a December runoff after neither managed to clinch over half of the vote in a three-way race that overlapped with other statewide and municipal elections. 

Hutchinson, a Snellville Democrat who has held the seat since 2019, stepped down from the state Legislature earlier this year to care for a family member. Over 8,000 voters cast ballots in Tuesday’s special election to replace her, with the two top candidates, Democrats Marqus Cole and Muhammad Akbar Ali, earning 39% and 32% of the vote, respectively. They will face off again next month in a runoff election to represent Georgia’s 106th House district, which encompasses a southwestern portion of Gwinnett County.

Republican Jamie Parker came in third with 29% of the vote, according to unofficial results from the secretary of state’s website. His campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

Cole, who emerged as the frontrunner in the race, serves as organizing director at Georgia Interfaith Power and Light, an energy and environmental nonprofit. He centered his campaign around issues like health care access, housing affordability and education, and received endorsements from state Sen. Nikki Merritt, a Grayson Democrat, and Gwinnett Solicitor General Lisamarie Bristol. 

Merritt, a three-term state senator whose district overlaps with House District 106, also helped Cole campaign.

“I am very excited to be supporting Marcus,” Merritt said in a video posted to Instagram, adding that she had known him since she took office five years ago. “When I look for a candidate, I am looking for someone who I know is ready to get to work on day one and is going to be a good representative for this district. I can attest to Marcus in the work that he’s done in his community.”

In a statement on election night, Cole expressed optimism about the runoff election.

“I’m grateful that the voters have chosen to move our campaign forward to the runoff election,” he said. “Winning the early vote, election day vote and a clear majority of the polling locations sends a very clear message and I’m here to continue the fight.”

Ali, the former first vice chair of the Gwinnett County Democratic Party and a recent graduate of Kennesaw State University, finished in second place. Though he has been the most prolific fundraiser in the race, with over $31,000 raised, Ali trailed Cole in several precincts on election day. (By comparison, Parker reported raising $5,200 during the most recent filing period, and Cole has raised $4,200.)

At 21, Ali would become the youngest state legislator currently serving in Georgia if elected. Susan Powell, a Gwinnett County resident, said she voted for Ali in part because of his youth.

“I think we need more young people in our government,” she said. “It’s made up of way too many — no offense — old white men.”

Ali’s campaign centers on lowering the cost of living, supporting public schools and protecting the rights of immigrants and LGBTQ Georgians. He also received endorsements from Hutchinson, former Georgia Governor Roy Barnes and Gwinnett County Commissioner Kirkland Carden.

In an election night statement, Ali said his campaign would be hard at work over the next few weeks to build momentum with voters.

“I am honored and humbled to have earned a spot in the runoff as a first-time candidate,” he said in a statement.

“If I earned your support in today’s election, thank you, if you still were not able to participate in the election, I hope you make a plan to vote in the runoff, and if you voted for another candidate, know that my door is open to you and I will be working hard to earn the support of everyone in this community,” he added.

The runoff election between Ali and Cole will be held on Dec. 2.

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