2010 Georgia state elections

Last updated

2010 Georgia elections
Flag of Georgia (U.S. state).svg
←  2008 November 2, 2010
November 30, 2010		 2012  →

A general election was held in the U.S. state of Georgia on November 2, 2010. All of Georgia's executive officers were up for election as well as a United States Senate seat, all of Georgia's thirteen seats in the United States House of Representatives and all seats in both houses of the Georgia General Assembly. Primary elections were held on July 20, 2010. Primary runoffs, necessary if no candidate wins a majority of the vote, were held on August 10, 2010. General runoffs were held on November 30, 2010.

Contents

United States Senate

United States Senate election in Georgia, 2010 [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Johnny Isakson (Incumbent)1,489,90458.31%+0.43%
Democratic Michael Thurmond 996,51639.00%−0.98%
Libertarian Chuck Donovan68,7502.69%+0.55%
Write-ins880.00%N/A
Total votes2,555,258 100.00%
Republican hold

United States House of Representatives

United States House of Representatives elections in Georgia, 2010
PartyVotesPercentageSeats+/–
Republican 1,528,14261.90%8+1
Democratic 940,34738.09%5-1
Write-in1910.01%0

Governor

Incumbent governor Sonny Perdue (R) was ineligible to seek re-election due to term limits. The Republican primary featured four candidates who received over 15% of the vote in the first round: former Secretary of State Karen Handel, former U.S. representative Nathan Deal, former Georgia state senator Eric Johnson, and Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine. [2] Handel, Deal, and Johnson all resigned their offices during or shortly before the campaign. Because no candidate received a majority of the vote, the race went to a runoff between the top two candidates, Handel and Deal.

Republican gubernatorial primary results [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Karen Handel 231,990 34.1
Republican Nathan Deal 155,946 22.9
Republican Eric Johnson 136,79220.1
Republican John Oxendine 115,42117.0
Republican Jeff Chapman 20,6363.0
Republican Ray McBerry17,1712.5
Republican Otis Putnam2,5430.4
Total votes680,499 100

Deal won the runoff narrowly, with a margin of about 0.4%, or 2,519 votes out of 579,551 cast. [3] The Democratic nomination was won easily by former governor Roy Barnes without a runoff; his most prominent opponent was Attorney General Thurbert Baker. [4]

Republican gubernatorial primary runoff results [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Nathan Deal 291,035 50.2
Republican Karen Handel 288,51649.8
Total votes579,551 100
Democratic gubernatorial primary results [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Roy Barnes 259,48265.6
Democratic Thurbert Baker 85,57121.6
Democratic David Poythress 21,7805.5
Democratic DuBose Porter 17,7674.5
Democratic Carl Camon4,1701.1
Democratic Bill Bolton3,5730.9
Democratic Randal Mangham 3,1240.8
Total votes395,497 100

In the general election, Deal defeated Barnes, becoming just the third Republican to be elected Governor of Georgia, after Perdue and Reconstruction-era governor Rufus Bullock.

Gubernatorial general election results, 2010 [5]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Nathan Deal 1,365,832 53.02% −4.93%
Democratic Roy Barnes 1,107,01142.97%+4.75%
Libertarian John Monds 103,1944.01%+0.17%
Write-ins1240.00%N/A
Turnout 2,576,161100.00%
Republican hold

Lieutenant governor

Incumbent lieutenant governor Casey Cagle (R) was seeking reelection. Carol Porter won the Democratic nomination.

Republican primary

Primary results

Republican primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Casey Cagle (incumbent) 525,287 100%
Total votes525,287 100%

Democratic primary

Primary results

Democratic primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Carol Porter 228,245 69.7%
Democratic Tricia Carpenter McCracken99,37330.3%
Total votes327,618 100%

Libertarian

General election

Lieutenant governor election, 2010
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Casey Cagle (incumbent) 1,403,977 54.7%
Democratic Carol Porter 1,074,62441.9%
Libertarian Dan Barber88,7463.5%
Total votes2,567,347 100%

Secretary of State

2010 Georgia Secretary of State election
Flag of Georgia (U.S. state).svg
←  2006 November 2, 2010 2014  →
  Brian Kemp.png 3x4.svg
Nominee Brian Kemp Georganna Sinkfield
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote1,440,1881,006,411
Percentage56.42%39.43%
2010 Georgia Secretary of State Election.svg
County results
Kemp:     40-50%     50-60%     60-70%     70-80%     80-90%
Sinkfield:     40-50%     50-60%     60-70%     70-80%
Secretary of State before election

Brian Kemp
Republican

Elected Secretary of State

Brian Kemp
Republican

Incumbent Secretary of State Brian Kemp (R), who succeeded Karen Handel (R) after she resigned to focus on her gubernatorial bid, [8] sought election to a full term and won the Republican primary on July 20. Georganna Sinkfield defeated Gail Buckner in a runoff for the Democratic nomination.

Republican primary

Primary results

Republican primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Brian Kemp (incumbent) 361,304 59.2%
Republican Doug MacGinnitie248,91140.8%
Total votes610,215 100%

Democratic primary

Primary results

Democratic primary results (first round)
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Gail Buckner 119,956 35.1%
Democratic Georganna Sinkfield 77,423 22.6%
Democratic Angela Moore 69,94220.4%
Democratic Michael Mills53,02015.5%
Democratic Gary Horlacher21,8526.4%
Total votes342,193 100%
Democratic primary runoff results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Georganna Sinkfield 62,576 61.8%
Democratic Gail Buckner 38,59938.2%
Total votes101,175 100%

Libertarian

General election

Secretary of State election, 2010
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Brian Kemp (incumbent) 1,440,188 56.4%
Democratic Georganna Sinkfield 1,006,41139.4%
Libertarian David Chastain106,1234.2%
Total votes2,552,722 100%

Attorney general

2010 Georgia Attorney General Election
Flag of Georgia (U.S. state).svg
←  2006 November 2, 2010 2014  →
  Attorney Sam Olens.jpg Hodges10.jpg
Nominee Sam Olens Ken Hodges
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote1,351,0901,112,049
Percentage52.95%43.58%
2010 Georgia Attorney General Election.svg
County results
Olens:     40-50%     50-60%     60-70%     70-80%     80-90%
Hodges:     40-50%     50-60%     60-70%     70-80%     80-90%
Attorney General before election

Thurbert Baker
Democratic

Elected Attorney General

Sam Olens
Republican

Incumbent attorney general of Georgia Thurbert Baker (D) retired from his position to run for Governor of Georgia. Ken Hodges won the Democratic nomination, while Sam Olens defeated Preston Smith in a runoff for the Republican nomination.

Democratic primary

Primary results

Democratic primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Ken Hodges 221,598 65.5%
Democratic Rob Teilhet 116,71434.5%
Total votes338,312 100%

Republican primary

Primary results

Republican primary results (first round)
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Sam Olens 229,769 39.9%
Republican Preston Smith 176,656 30.6%
Republican Max Wood170,06729.5%
Total votes576,492 100%
Republican primary runoff results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Sam Olens 299,580 58.9%
Republican Preston Smith 209,27341.1%
Total votes508,853 100%

Libertarian

General election

Attorney General election, 2010
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Sam Olens 1,351,090 52.9%
Democratic Ken Hodges 1,112,04943.6%
Libertarian Don Smart88,5833.5%
Total votes2,551,722 100%
Republican gain from Democratic

State school superintendent

Incumbent superintendent of education Kathy Cox (R) originally intended to seek re-election, but on May 17 announced that she would resign effective July 1, 2010 in order to take a position as CEO of a new non-profit, the U.S. Education Delivery Institute in Washington D.C. [11] William Bradley Bryant was appointed by Gov. Perdue to fill the vacancy, [12] but failed to qualify to run in the November election as an independent. [13] Joe Martin and John D. Barge won the Democratic and Republican nominations, respectively.

Republican primary

Primary results

Republican primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican John D. Barge 224,857 51.9%
Republican Richard Woods208,79548.1%
Total votes433,652 100%

Democratic Primary

Primary results

Democratic primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Joe Martin 185,918 54.9%
Democratic Beth Farokhi92,67827.3%
Democratic Brian Westlake60,30317.8%
Total votes338,899 100%

Libertarian

General election

Results by county Barge: .mw-parser-output .legend{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .legend-color{display:inline-block;min-width:1.25em;height:1.25em;line-height:1.25;margin:1px 0;text-align:center;border:1px solid black;background-color:transparent;color:black}.mw-parser-output .legend-text{} 40-50% 50-60% 60-70% 70-80% 80-90% Martin: 40-50% 50-60% 60-70% 70-80% 2010 Georgia state superintendent of schools election results map by county.svg
Results by county
Barge:
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
Martin:
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
State School Superintendent election, 2010
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican John D. Barge 1,366,355 53.5%
Democratic Joe Martin1,061,12441.6%
Libertarian Kira Willis124,5474.9%
Write-ins880.0%
Total votes2,552,114 100%
Republican hold

Commissioner of insurance

Incumbent commissioner of insurance John Oxendine (R) was retiring from his position to run for Governor of Georgia. Ralph Hudgens defeated Maria Sheffield in a runoff for the Republican nomination, while Mary Squires was unopposed for the Democratic nomination.

Republican primary

Primary results

Republican primary results (first round)
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Ralph Hudgens 117,462 20.7%
Republican Maria Sheffield 111,302 19.6%
Republican Tom Knox91,93016.2%
Republican Gerry Purcell72,15812.7%
Republican Dennis Cain53,7979.5%
Republican Seth Harp 48,2658.5%
Republican Rick Collum29,5365.2%
Republican John Mamalakis21,5133.8%
Republican Stephen Northington21,1963.7%
Total votes567,159 100%
Republican primary runoff results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Ralph Hudgens 284,447 55.2%
Republican Maria Sheffield230,45344.8%
Total votes514,900 100%

Democratic Primary

Primary results

Democratic primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Mary Squires 284,765 100%
Total votes284,765 100%

Libertarian

General election

Results by county Hudgens: 40-50% 50-60% 60-70% 70-80% 80-90% Squires: 40-50% 50-60% 60-70% 70-80% 80-90% 2010 Georgia commissioner of insurance election results map by county.svg
Results by county
Hudgens:
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
Squires:
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
Commissioner of Insurance election, 2010
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Ralph Hudgens 1,368,289 53.8%
Democratic Mary Squires1,079,71642.4%
Libertarian Shane Bruce96,5493.8%
Total votes2,544,554 100%
Republican hold

Commissioner of Agriculture

Incumbent Commissioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin (D) was retiring in 2010. [16] Gary Black won the Republican nomination, while J.B. Powell was unopposed for the Democratic nomination.

Democratic primary

Primary results

Democratic primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic J.B. Powell 289,833 100%
Total votes289,833 100%

Republican primary

Primary results

Republican primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Gary Black 425,001 76.0%
Republican Darwin Carter134,02224.0%
Total votes559,023 100%

Libertarian

General election

Results by county Black: 40-50% 50-60% 60-70% 70-80% 80-90% Powell: 40-50% 50-60% 60-70% 70-80% 2010 Georgia commissioner of agriculture election results map by county.svg
Results by county
Black:
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
Powell:
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
Commissioner of Agriculture election, 2010
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Gary Black 1,426,746 56.0%
Democratic J.B. Powell1,027,37340.4%
Libertarian Kevin Cherry91,4473.5%
Total votes2,545,566 100%
Republican gain from Democratic

Commissioner of Labor

Incumbent Commissioner of Labor Mike Thurmond (D) was retiring from his position to run for the United States Senate. Darryl Hicks narrowly won the Democratic nomination, according to unofficial results, while Mark Butler easily won the Republican nomination.

Democratic primary

Primary results

Democratic primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Darryl Hicks 167,019 50.1%
Democratic Terry Coleman 166,42349.9%
Total votes333,442 100%

Republican primary

Primary results

Republican primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Mark Butler 374,457 70.3%
Republican Melvin Everson158,50929.7%
Total votes532,966 100%

Libertarian

General election

Results by county Butler: 40-50% 50-60% 60-70% 70-80% 80-90% Hicks: 40-50% 50-60% 60-70% 70-80% 80-90% 2010 Georgia commissioner of labor election results map by county.svg
Results by county
Butler:
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
Hicks:
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
Commissioner of Labor election, 2010
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Mark Butler 1,399,030 55.2%
Democratic Darryl Hicks1,042,82241.1%
Libertarian Will Costa93,3103.7%
Total votes2,535,162 100%
Republican gain from Democratic

Public Service Commission

In 2010, one seat on the Georgia Public Service Commission was up for election. Though candidates must come from the districts that they wish to represent on the commission, they are elected statewide.

District 2 (Eastern)

2010 Georgia Public Service Commission District 2 election
Flag of Georgia (U.S. state).svg
← 2004November 2, 2010 2016  →
  Tim Echols 2011 (cropped).jpg 3x4.svg
Nominee Tim Echols Keith Moffett
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote1,406,7131,029,614
Percentage55.57%40.62%
2010 Georgia Public Service Commissioner (District 2) election.svg
County results
Echols:     40-50%     50-60%     60-70%     70-80%     80-90%
Hoskins:     40-50%     50-60%     60-70%     70-80%     80-90%
Commissioner before election

Bobby Baker
Republican

Elected Commissioner

Tim Echols
Republican

Incumbent Public Service Commissioner Bobby Baker (R) was retiring in 2010. [19] Tim Echols defeated John Douglas in a runoff for the Republican nomination, while Keith Moffett was unopposed for the Democratic nomination.

Republican primary

Primary results
Republican primary results (first round)
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Tim Echols 185,950 35.1%
Republican John Douglas 145,938 27.6%
Republican Jeff May117,41122.2%
Republican Joey Brush 80,14615.1%
Total votes529,445 100%
Republican primary runoff results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Tim Echols 248,226 52.3%
Republican John Douglas226,29247.7%
Total votes474,518 100%

Democratic primary

  • Keith Moffett
Primary results
Democratic primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Keith Moffett 281,859 100%
Total votes281,859 100%

Libertarian

General election

Public Service Commission District 2 election, 2010
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Tim Echols 1,406,713 55.6%
Democratic Keith Moffett1,029,61440.7%
Libertarian Jim Sendelbach94,9503.7%
Total votes2,531,277 100%
Republican hold

Georgia General Assembly

All 56 seats in the Georgia State Senate and 180 seats in the Georgia House of Representatives were up for election.

Georgia State Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 3436Increase2.svg 2
Democratic 2220Decrease2.svg 2
Georgia House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 103113Increase2.svg 10
Democratic 7366Decrease2.svg 7
Independent 11Steady2.svg
Vacant30Decrease2.svg 3

Judicial elections

One seat on the Georgia Supreme Court and three seats on the Georgia Court of Appeals were up for nonpartisan statewide elections. Of these, two were contested: Supreme Court justice David Nahmias faced challengers in his bid for reelection while lawyer Chris McFadden was elected to an open seat on the Court of Appeals. [21]

Georgia Supreme Court

Candidates

General election

Runoff results by county Nahmias: >90% 80-90% 70-80% 60-70% 50-60% Adkins: 50-60% 2010 Georgia Supreme Court runoff election results.svg
Runoff results by county
Nahmias:
  •   >90%
  •   80–90%
  •   70–80%
  •   60–70%
  •   50–60%
Adkins:
  •   50–60%
2010 Georgia Supreme Court election (first round)
PartyCandidateVotes%
Nonpartisan David Nahmias (incumbent) 1,007,828 48.2%
Nonpartisan Tammy Lynn Adkins 735,799 35.2%
Nonpartisan Matt Wilson346,53716.6%
Total votes2,090,164 100%
2010 Georgia Supreme Court runoff election
PartyCandidateVotes%
Nonpartisan David Nahmias (incumbent) 176,627 67.0%
Nonpartisan Tammy Lynn Adkins86,93833.0%
Total votes263,565 100%

Georgia Court of Appeals

Candidates

General election

Runoff results by county McFadden: 80-90% 70-80% 60-70% 50-60% Davis: 60-70% 50-60% 2010 Georgia Court of Appeals runoff election results.svg
Runoff results by county
McFadden:
  •   80–90%
  •   70–80%
  •   60–70%
  •   50–60%
Davis:
  •   60–70%
  •   50–60%
2010 Georgia Court of Appeals election (first round)
PartyCandidateVotes%
Nonpartisan Antoinette Davis 477,113 25.5%
Nonpartisan Chris McFadden 422,996 22.6%
Nonpartisan David N. Schaeffer336,28118.0%
Nonpartisan Adrienne Hunter-Strothers226,94912.1%
Nonpartisan Stan Gunter 213,85711.4%
Nonpartisan James Babalola193,30310.3%
Total votes1,870,499 100%
2010 Georgia Court of Appeals runoff election
PartyCandidateVotes%
Nonpartisan Chris McFadden 157,790 62.0%
Nonpartisan Antoinette Davis96,73738.0%
Total votes254,527 100%

Ballot measures

Source: Ballotpedia

Amendment 1

Results by county Yes: 80-90% 70-80% 60-70% 50-60% 2010 Georgia Amendment 1 results map by county.svg
Results by county
Yes:
  •   80–90%
  •   70–80%
  •   60–70%
  •   50–60%

Allows the enforcement of contracts that restrict competition during or after the term of employment.

Amendment 1
ChoiceVotes %
Check-71-128-204-brightblue.svg Yes1,633,06667.6
No783,39032.4
Total votes2,416,456100.00

Amendment 2

Results by county Yes: 60-70% 50-60% No: 80-90% 70-80% 60-70% 50-60% 2010 Georgia Amendment 2 results map by county.svg
Results by county
Yes:
  •   60–70%
  •   50–60%
No:
  •   80–90%
  •   70–80%
  •   60–70%
  •   50–60%

Imposes $10 fee on car registration; funds directed to trauma care centers.

Amendment 2
ChoiceVotes %
Light brown x.svg No1,207,83652.6
Yes1,342,55547.4
Total votes2,550,391100.00

Amendment 3

Results by county Yes: 60-70% 50-60% No: 60-70% 50-60% 2010 Georgia Amendment 3 results map by county.svg
Results by county
Yes:
  •   60–70%
  •   50–60%
No:
  •   60–70%
  •   50–60%

Authorizes state multiyear contracts for long-term transportation projects.

Amendment 3
ChoiceVotes %
Light brown x.svg No1,216,78050.1
Yes1,212,86349.9
Total votes2,429,643100.00

Amendment 4

Results by county Yes: 70-80% 60-70% 50-60% No: 50-60% Tie: 50% 2010 Georgia Amendment 4 results map by county.svg
Results by county
Yes:
  •   70–80%
  •   60–70%
  •   50–60%
No:
  •   50–60%
Tie:
  •   50%

Authorizes state multiyear contracts for energy efficiency and conservation projects.

Amendment 4
ChoiceVotes %
Check-71-128-204-brightblue.svg Yes1,480,27360.8
No954,44839.2
Total votes2,434,721100.00

Amendment 5

Results by county Yes: 70-80% 60-70% 50-60% 2010 Georgia Amendment 5 results map by county.svg
Results by county
Yes:
  •   70–80%
  •   60–70%
  •   50–60%

Allows owners of industrial-zoned property to remove the industrial designation.

Amendment 5
ChoiceVotes %
Check-71-128-204-brightblue.svg Yes1,520,63663.5
No873,89036.5
Total votes2,394,526100.00

Referendum A

Results by county Yes: 60-70% 50-60% No: 50-60% 2010 Georgia Referendum A results map by county.svg
Results by county
Yes:
  •   60–70%
  •   50–60%
No:
  •   50–60%

Provides for inventory of businesses to be exempt from state property tax.

Referendum A
ChoiceVotes %
Check-71-128-204-brightblue.svg Yes1,310,11654.0
No1,115,58646.0
Total votes2,425,702100.00

References

  1. ↑ "11/2/2010 - United States Senator, Isakson". Archived from the original on April 9, 2013. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
  2. 1 2 "Official Results of the Tuesday, July 20, 2010 General Primary Election [Governor, Republican]". Georgia Election Results. Georgia Secretary of State. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
  3. 1 2 "Official Results of the Tuesday, August 10, 2010 Primary Election Runoff (Governor, Republican)". Georgia Election Results. Georgia Secretary of State. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
  4. 1 2 "Official Results of the Tuesday, July 20, 2010 General Primary Election [Governor, Democratic]". Georgia Election Results. Georgia Secretary of State. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
  5. ↑ "Official Results of the Tuesday, November 02, 2010 General Election [Governor]". Georgia Election Results. Georgia Secretary of State. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
  6. ↑ "Ga. Libertarian candidate for lt. Gov. Drops out". August 26, 2010.
  7. ↑ "Georgia 2010 Midterm Election".
  8. ↑ Governor Appoints Brian Kemp Secretary of State Archived 2010-05-27 at the Wayback Machine (Press release).
  9. ↑ "Georgia 2010 Midterm Election".
  10. ↑ "Georgia 2010 Midterm Election".
  11. ↑ Carolyn Crist (17 May 2010). "Cox leaving state's top education post". Gainesville Times. Archived from the original on 12 September 2012. Retrieved 17 May 2010.
  12. ↑ The Blackshear Times: Bryant a good choice as state’s interim school superintendent
  13. ↑ "AJC: It's official: Brad Bryant will not run for state school superintendent". Archived from the original on October 12, 2012. Retrieved July 21, 2010.
  14. ↑ "Georgia 2010 Midterm Election".
  15. ↑ "Georgia 2010 Midterm Election".
  16. ↑ "A Georgia political icon is retiring from public service - The Times-Herald". Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved May 8, 2010.
  17. ↑ "Georgia 2010 Midterm Election".
  18. ↑ "Georgia 2010 Midterm Election".
  19. ↑ "Filling Bobby Baker's shoes at the PSC | Political Insider". Archived from the original on May 1, 2010. Retrieved May 8, 2010.
  20. ↑ "[UPDATED] The Best Damn Candidates Ga Will See In 2010 « SWGA Politics". Archived from the original on November 29, 2010. Retrieved May 8, 2010.
  21. ↑ "Georgia judicial elections, 2010". Ballotpedia. Retrieved July 7, 2025.
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