'Blood in the water': Typically low-key race has Georgia Republicans 'terrified'
A typically low-key statewide race in Georgia has Republicans campaigning in a panic, according to a new report.
"Terrified" Republicans are tossing out red-meat culture war issues to voters as they defend a pair of seats on the Public Service Commission, which regulates Georgia Power and other utilities, to avoid an upset that would jolt the state's politics heading into next year's midterm elections, reported the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
“If we don’t put a stake in the ground in November, there’s going to be blood in the water,” said Republican state Sen. Larry Walker. “The Democrats are going to be emboldened — and they’re going to spend ungodly amounts of money next year.”
Even if Democrats win both open seats, they would still be in the minority on the five-member panel, but Republicans fear a loss would demonstrate their grip on statewide offices would be loosening.
“If Democrats win, the results would reverberate strongly into the 2026 election where all the state’s biggest prizes are on the line,” said GOP strategist Brian Robinson.
Republicans have held full control of the PSC since 2006, but Democrats Alicia Johnson and Peter Hubbard are challenging GOP incumbents Tim Echols and Fitz Johnson in an off-year race where voters who turned out for Donald Trump's win last year may not show up.
“About a year ago, we elected Trump with a 115,000-vote margin,” said Georgia GOP chair Josh McKoon. “We hardly had 115,000 votes total in the Republican primary for this race.”
"Republicans see warnings signs everywhere," the AJC reported, as the commission has approved six straight rate increases that have sent bills up $43 a month for Georgia Power residential customers, and voters who do show up may wish to voice their frustration.
“Georgians know their power bills are too damn high — and Georgia Democrats are organizing across the state to make sure they know exactly who’s to blame: Republicans on the Public Service Commission,” said state party chair Charlie Bailey.