Incumbent Tim Echols leads challenger in Public Service Commission primary

But the low-profile race could have a significant effect on how much Georgians pay for their utility bills. The five-person commission regulates the rates many utilities, such as Georgia Power and Atlanta Gas Light, can charge.

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

All registered voters were eligible to participate in either the Democratic or Republican primaries for the District 2 and 3 primary elections, featuring seven candidates.

In District 3, which represents Clayton, DeKalb and Fulton counties, voters chose from Keisha Sean Waites, a former state representative and former Atlanta City Council member; Peter Hubbard, chief executive of Georgia Center for Energy Solutions; and Robert Jones, who has worked in energy and tech for the government and private companies.

None of the candidates had cleared 50% mark need to win outright late Tuesday night. Waites and Hubbard appeared headed to a July 15 runoff, although the results were not final.

Hubbard said he would continue to “fight for a Georgia powered by clean, low-cost renewable energy.”

Incumbent Republican Commissioner Fitz Johnson will challenge the winner of the Democratic primary in November.

Gov. Brian Kemp appointed Johnson to the board in 2021. This is his first election.

PSC members are elected statewide but must live in one of five geographic districts in order to run in that jurisdiction.

One District 3 Democrat, Daniel Blackman, was disqualified for failing to meet that requirement. Signs were posted at polling locations notifying voters that votes cast for Blackman would not be counted.

In District 2, Echols, a Republican who is running to keep his seat on the PSC, held a wide lead over Lee Muns, a founder of engineering and welding companies, Tuesday night.

In a statement, Echols said he is grateful to the voters who supported him in the primaries.

“Our Public Service Commission is laser-focused on protecting Georgia families,” he said.

Alicia Johnson, a Democratic health care consultant, is running unopposed and will challenge the Republican nominee in the fall.

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Bronson Smith, 45, was reminded about the primary last week when he came to pick up books from the library.

The Atlanta reside voted for Echols and said he’s pleased with the decisions the commission has made in recent years.

Other voters were frustrated by the rising Georgia Power electricity rates. The company’s customers have experienced six PSC-approved rate hikes since 2023.

More than 155,000 votes had been counted by about 10 p.m.

Credit: Gray Mollenkamp

Credit: Gray Mollenkamp

Davante Jennings, president of the Young Democrats of Georgia, said he cast his ballot in the District 3 Democratic primary because he wanted Georgia Power to be held accountable.

“Georgia Power’s bills have been crazy high lately,” he said.

Jennings of Atlanta did not disclose who he voted for. But the 28-year-old said he planned to vote for Blackman before he was disqualified.

“Hopefully somebody’s going to come in and hold them accountable,” Jennings said.

Eileen Sherman of Atlanta cast her vote for Hubbard based on name recognition.

Sherman, 72, said she became aware of Hubbard’s candidacy through text notifications sent by the District 3 Democrat’s campaign.

Election officials across metro Atlanta reported light-but-steady turnout at the polls with few disruptions.

A Cobb County Superior Court judge issued an order keeping The Lutheran Church of the Resurrection open past 7 p.m. after the precinct opened late this morning.

Thunderstorms slowed results in a few counties across the state. Taliaferro and Madison counties experienced power outages and Floyd County lost internet connection.

A steady stream of voters came through Briarlake Baptist Church in north DeKalb County, with 127 ballots cast by 1 p.m.

Elvira Delurgio, a Democrat from DeKalb County, said she voted for Hubbard because of his advocacy for clean energy.

Credit: Gray Mollenkamp

Credit: Gray Mollenkamp

“What really stood out was that he was looking into other things that weren’t coal or traditional methods of energy,” she said.