Democrats Win Georgia PSC Seats From GOP; Governors-Elect Campaigned on Internet Issues
Democrats won Tuesday night in special elections for two Georgia Public Service Commission seats, marking the first time party members have earned spots on the regulatory body since 2006. Those victories were part of the Democratic Party’s broader rout in the elections, including selection of its candidates for governor in New Jersey and Virginia. Ex-U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, who won the Virginia gubernatorial race, and Rep. Mikie Sherrill, who won in New Jersey, both raised internet issues during the campaign.
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In Georgia, Democrat Alicia Johnson won 63%-37% over incumbent Republican Commissioner Tim Echols to represent PSC District 2, which covers Savannah, Augusta and other eastern parts of the state. Democrat Peter Hubbard won by the same margin over incumbent GOP Commissioner Fitz Johnson to represent District 3, which covers much of metropolitan Atlanta. Georgia canceled its 2022 and 2024 PSC elections amid an unsuccessful lawsuit arguing that the statewide election of commissioners violates the Voting Rights Act (see 2408190038). Each commissioner represents one regional district, but all Georgia voters elect them. Republicans will retain a 3-2 majority when the new members take office Jan. 11.
Both PSC incumbents conceded Tuesday night, although Johnson said he plans to run against Hubbard again when that PSC seat comes back up in 2026. Georgia Republicans had pointed to potential Democratic victories for the commission seats before Tuesday because the contests coincided with votes in several municipalities’ elections. Both PSC Democrats’ campaigns focused on electric utilities rather than telecom regulatory issues, although the commission has in recent years handled matters such as reducing the state’s USF fee (see 2106150054).
Meanwhile, Spanberger won the Virginia gubernatorial contest 57%-43% over Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears. Spanberger made internet access one of her campaign pledges, saying on her website that universal broadband was a priority when she was in the U.S. House -- apparently a reference to her vote to pass the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. She also said on her website that she would "continue to support strong investments and state-level grant programs to help more Virginians finish their homework assignments, keep up with telehealth appointments, grow their businesses, and stay in touch with their loved ones."
In the New Jersey race, Sherrill, who defeated Republican Jack Ciattarelli 56%-43%, campaigned on children's online safety and data privacy. "We ... need to protect communities and families from bad actors who seek to exploit new technologies, like AI and deepfakes, to harass school-aged children or scam seniors," she said on her campaign website. She promised to "work with the legislature to ensure that New Jersey’s data privacy, harassment, and fraud laws are modernized to crack down on these bad actors and deter them from targeting New Jerseyans."