Democrats win big over GOP incumbents in 2 statewide Georgia utility regulator races

Democrats Score Historic Wins in Georgia Public Service Commission Races

Two Democrats achieved stunning victories over Republican incumbents in Tuesday’s elections to the Georgia Public Service Commission, marking the first time Democrats have won statewide elections to a state-level office in Georgia since 2006.

Peter Hubbard and Alicia Johnson each captured nearly 63% of the vote against Republicans Tim Echols and Fitz Johnson in what represents the largest statewide margins of victory by Democrats in more than two decades. While turnout reached only 30% of last year’s presidential election, the magnitude of these wins in a swing state like Georgia suggests growing voter discontent over high electricity bills.

“The people of Georgia came out very strong and said, ‘You know what? We’re not putting up with it no more,'” said Democratic Party of Georgia Chair Charlie Bailey. “We’re ready to turn the page on this 22 years of Republican rule in our state that has made the American dream less attainable now than it was 22 years ago.”

The victories could significantly boost Democratic fundraising and enthusiasm heading into 2025, when Georgia’s ballot will feature Democratic U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff’s reelection bid and an open governor’s race.

Rising electricity costs have become a potent political issue extending beyond Georgia. Electric prices for residential consumers nationwide increased 5.2% from July 2024 to July 2025, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, and energy costs were debated in recent governor’s races in New Jersey and Virginia.

Hubbard told The Associated Press that commissioners have been “rubber-stamping” the plans of Georgia Power Co., the state’s only privately owned utility, rather than prioritizing consumers. “I think that we decisively won this election, flipped two seats to the Democrats on this all-Republican Public Service Commission because they were not centering the people in their decision making,” he said.

Despite these Democratic gains, a three-member Republican majority will remain on the five-member commission when Hubbard and Johnson take office in January. Georgia Power spokesperson Matthew Kent stated, “Georgia Power has always worked constructively with the elected members of the Georgia Public Service Commission, and we will continue to do so.”

Johnson’s victory carries additional historical significance as she becomes the first Black woman elected to a partisan statewide office in Georgia.

Environmental groups, led by Georgia Conservation Voters, invested more than $3 million to support Hubbard, a green energy advocate, and Johnson, a healthcare consultant. These organizations view the current commission as too accommodating to utility plans that continue relying on climate-changing fossil fuels for power generation.

In response, Governor Brian Kemp and other Republicans pledged millions in campaign spending, urging voters to reject green energy initiatives and vote along party lines. Republicans have characterized Tuesday’s results as anomalous, influenced by unusual off-year elections following a court case that coincided with municipal elections in Atlanta and other cities that typically draw Democratic voters.

Fitz Johnson, appointed to the commission by Kemp in 2021, acknowledged the outcome while questioning whether it truly reflects Georgian values. “Voters have chosen a different direction in this election, but I’m certain the underlying policies offered by the Democrats don’t reflect the preferences of the majority of Georgians,” he said, pledging to challenge Hubbard when he faces reelection in 2026.

Hubbard has committed to aggressive action on rate reduction in his first year. “I intend to ask hard questions of Georgia Power Co. about why they’re constantly pushing what is lucrative for their shareholders,” he stated.

Tim Echols, who had served on the commission since 2011, credited Democrats with effectively focusing their message on consumer costs. Georgia Power has implemented six rate increases in recent years, citing higher natural gas costs and construction projects including two new nuclear reactors at Plant Vogtle near Augusta. A typical Georgia Power residential customer now pays more than $175 monthly including taxes.

Republicans had touted a three-year freeze in base rates enacted in July while claiming Democrats would drive up costs through environmental mandates and by closing natural gas plants.

The scale of the Republican defeat was remarkable, with Democrats making significant inroads into traditionally Republican strongholds. They even won Columbia County, an Augusta suburb that Trump carried by 25 percentage points in the 2024 presidential election.

Even some voters not served by Georgia Power expressed their discontent at the polls. “I’ve heard a lot of bad things about Georgia Power,” said Angela Ford of Stone Mountain, who receives her electricity from a cooperative.