Georgia Senate District 21 will remain red after Republican Jason Dickerson defeated Democrat Debra Shigley in Tuesday’s runoff.
But even though Democrats lost at the ballot box, they may still be celebrating victory overall.
With 95% of votes counted, Dickerson had 61.5% of the vote, while Shigley received 38.5%, a lead too big to bridge with remaining votes.
The outcome represents a big over-performance for Democrats. Last year, then-Vice President Kamala Harris received 32.5% of the vote. A strong performance in a red district signals Democrats may have much to look forward to in next year’s Midterm Elections.
Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Heather Williams agreed, noting Shigley’s strong appearing at the ballot box as a signal that voters are fed up with GOP policies under the Trump administration.
“Even in deep red areas, voters across the country are showing up and taking a stand against Republicans’ extreme agenda of raising prices, eliminating American jobs, and cutting access to affordable health care,” Williams said. “State Democrats like Deb Shigley are advocating for their communities, and they’re earning a big boost in voter support, even in long-held GOP seats, because of it. The DLCC will continue supporting Democrats running strong campaigns in tough territory across the country.”
While Democrats hoped to flip a seat in the GOP supermajority chamber, a win would have been a major upset in the ruby red district where only 18% of voters are registered Democrats compared to nearly 43% who are Republicans, according to the most recent L2 voter data.
President Donald Trump carried the district by 34 percentage points, further highlighting how Shigley’s performance suggests independent voters and some moderate Republicans may be souring on Trump-aligned conservatives.
Dickerson is a political newcomer, but ran on a conservative agenda aligned with Trump.
The Cherokee County native previously built a successful business career, including co-founding Quest Trucking, a long-haul transportation company that employed more than 400 people, according to Dickerson’s campaign website.
“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 include eliminating state income tax, supporting pro-life policies, securing elections, defending the Second Amendment, deporting undocumented immigrants, and prioritizing students.
Shigley, a small business owner and former employment attorney, ran with support from the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee as Spotlight Candidate.
Shigley ran last year in Georgia House District 47, losing to Republican Jan Jones by a staggering 24 percentage points.
