Democrats are one step closer to flipping a seat after Debra Shigley earned enough votes Tuesday to advance to a runoff for Senate District 21, likely against Republican Steve West, though a win for a Democrat in the runoff remains unlikely.
With unofficial results 95% in on Tuesday night, Shigley overwhelmingly led the seven-person contest with 39.5% of the vote, while West received 17.4%. Five other candidates, all Republicans, split the remaining votes, with Jason Dickerson finishing in third place with 17.1%. The vote margin between West and Dickerson puts the two in recount territory. Georgia does not conduct automatic recounts, but it does allow candidates to request one if the vote margin is less than half a percentage point.
Voter turnout in the race was just 14%.
Democrats celebrated the runoff berth.
“In Georgia, we overperformed in a key seat in the state Senate. This race now heads to a runoff where we have a chance to chip away at the GOP’s majority and elect a Democratic champion who will fight back against state Republicans’ MAGA agenda,” the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) emailed Tuesday night, already soliciting donations to continue the fight.
Later, the group expanded on its praise for Shigley.
“As voters become increasingly fed up with Republicans’ broken promises and attacks on working families, Georgia Democrats’ success is on the rise. State Democrats like Debra Shigley continue to earn the support of voters because they’re listening to their constituents and pledging to fight for their communities, which are hurting from the MAGA agenda in Washington,” DLCC President Heather Williams said. “The state legislative level is where the Democratic Party can continue to turn to find the leadership we need, and there are many special elections coming up where these leaders will shine.”
Candidates are vying to replace Alpharetta Republican Sen. Brandon Beach, who stepped down to serve as U.S. Treasurer in the Trump administration.
Democrats are hoping to flip a seat in the GOP supermajority chamber. However, a win in September would be a major upset in the red district, where only 18% of voters are registered Democrats compared to nearly 43% who are registered Republicans, according to the most recent L2 voter data. Shigley’s overperformance could signal that independent voters, at least for the moment, are souring on the GOP. President Donald Trump carried SD 21 by 34 percentage points in 2024.
Shigley, a small-business owner and former employment attorney, ran with support from the DLCC as a Spotlight Candidate.
“Together, we can make raising a family right here in our district more affordable, enact common sense solutions to lower your costs, invest in our schools, and ensure everyone in our district feels safe and healthy,” Shigley’s campaign website reads. “Together, we can build a better future for our families.
Shigley ran last year in Georgia House District 47, losing to Republican Jan Jones by a staggering 24 percentage points.
Her Republican opponent, West, is the CEO of a metal fabrication company and previously served as a Republican member of the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners before stepping down from his position to run for the Georgia Senate.
“I’m running to be your voice under the Gold Dome and will only support policies that put Georgia and America First. No exceptions. No excuses!” West states on his campaign website.
West’s priorities are focused on cutting the state income tax, upholding pro-life values, securing elections, defending the Second Amendment, deporting undocumented immigrants, and promoting Georgia’s economic growth.
“Liberals fear the beard and say I’m just a Trump-supporting, gun-toting, pro-life, MAGA Republican. And they are 100% correct,” West wrote on social media.
According to the most recent data available in the Georgia Campaign Finance System, West has raised just over $185,000 and has approximately $47,524 remaining in the bank.
Shigley, meanwhile, raised less than $144,000 and has just about $32,000 left in the bank.
Dickerson, meanwhile, is a political newcomer running on a conservative agenda, who describes himself as “not a typical politician.”
“I know how to work hard and get things done. I’m ready to fight to protect our conservative way of life,” Dickerson said.
Dickerson’s priorities are focused on eliminating the state income tax, upholding pro-life values, securing elections, defending the Second Amendment, deporting undocumented immigrants, and prioritizing students.
“The good ole boy politicians and special interests have controlled our Senate District for long enough. It’s time to stand up and take our community back once and for all,” Dickerson wrote on social media ahead of the election. “No more dirty politics or empty promises from the establishment.”
According to the most recent data available in the Georgia Campaign Finance System, Dickerson was the top fundraiser in the race, with more than $500,000 in funds raised. He maintains about $90,000 heading into the runoff.
