Incumbent Public Service Commissioner Tim Echols secured a decisive victory in Tuesday’s Republican primary for District 2. Democrats Keisha Waites and Peter Hubbard will advance to a July 15 runoff election in District 3.
Registered voters can vote in the runoff if they selected a non-partisan or Democratic ballot or did not vote at all in the June 17 primary election.
District 2 results
Echols defeated challenger Lee Muns by a large margin in the Republican primary, which drew far fewer voters than the Democratic primary. He will face Democrat Alicia Johnson — who ran unopposed in her primary — in the general election in November. Johnson secured 125,154 votes by 11:30 p.m.
In a statement released Wednesday, Johnson said “over 125,000 Georgians made it clear that years of unchecked rate increases demand a change at the Public Service Commission. The people are ready for accountability that leads to affordability.”
Muns campaigned as a Republican alternative to incumbent commissioners — like Echols — who are viewed by some voters as being too cozy with the utility interests they regulate, like Georgia Power. He forswore taking campaign donations from regulated utilities and their business interests, and told Atlanta Civic Circle that he criss-crossed the state to connect with voters and make up for his financial disadvantage against Echols. But it wasn’t enough to pull off what would have been a long-shot upset.
By 11:30 p.m. Echols had 47,811 votes, or 75.8% to Muns’ 15,263 votes, or 24.2%.
Echols in a statement Wednesday morning said “I am grateful to voters who value our low rates and grid reliability — allowing us to stay the #1 state to do business.”
“Our Public Service Commission is laser focused on protecting Georgia families,” he said.
Muns, speaking to Atlanta Civic Circle Wednesday said “Mr. Echols soundly beat me but I’m very concerned about the voter turnout, I’m very concerned about his ability to debate or go against a Democrat because money is not going to win the election.”
Voter turnout was about 2.8% according to the Secretary of State’s Office, and more than twice as many Democratic primary ballots were cast than Republican ones.
Muns said future runs for office are not on his agenda, but he hoped his run against Echols would push the incumbent commissioner to be a stronger Republican candidate.
“I hope he will be more attentive to ratepayer issues and I hope he will vote against the rate freezes because I think everyone knows what’s going on there and the Democrats will exploit that in the race in November,” Muns said. “They locked in the profit margins [for Georgia Power]… and people are smart enough to see through it.”
District 3 results
The disqualification of Democrat Daniel Blackman may have opened the race for three remaining Democratic contenders: Peter Hubbard, Robert Jones and Keisha Waites.
Waites held an early lead in the vote total, but as votes were counted that lead dwindled. Ultimately she fell short of the 50% plus one vote threshold to avoid a runoff.
By 11:30 p.m. Waites secured 57,771 votes, or 46.1%; Hubbard secured 41,794 votes, or 33.3% while Jones secured 25,856 votes, or 20.6%.
The winner of the July 15 runoff will face incumbent Republican Fitz Johnson, who secured 54,420 votes statewide.
Waites, who served as a state representative from 2012-2017 and later as an Atlanta City Council member from 2022-2024 pitched herself to voters as an experienced politician and capable dealmaker they could trust, despite a self-avowed lack of expertise in the technical aspects of energy policy. Voters “want a fighter on the PSC,” she said in a statement to Atlanta Civic Circle.
“I look forward to continuing to work for all the people of Georgia making the case that I am the best choice to serve them on the PSC,” Waites said.” We will continue to watch the race tonight to make sure all votes are counted and continue with the campaign tomorrow,” she added.
Hubbard, an energy policy expert and clean energy advocate, in a statement said “I am grateful to be in the runoff election for Public Service Commission to fight for a Georgia powered by clean, low-cost renewable energy.”
“I have a detailed plan to create that future and to lower power bills,” he said, asking voters to support his campaign.
Hubbard also thanked Jones and Blackman “for their public service, dedication, and work to improve the lives of all Georgians.”
“Mr. Blackman’s record of service with the EPA and Mr. Jones’s regulatory service in California speak to their character. It was an honor to speak alongside them on the campaign trail.”
Jones in a statement congratulated his opponents and thanked his team. A first time candidate, he said “the opportunity to meet and engage with so many informed voters on the important issues of getting electricity bills under control, transitioning to clean energy, and delivering full transparency with ethical fund raising, has personally been truly rewarding and enriching.”
“As this election now shifts to November it is my intent to offer my full support to the eventual Democratic nominee for this critically important state office.”
The June 17 primary election results reported are unofficial until counties certify the results by June 23. Early voting for the July 15 primary runoff is set to begin no later than July 7.
Note: This story was updated to include statements from Echols, Muns and Alicia Johnson.