UPDATE: Gubernatorial runoff for GOP; Abrams wins among Democrats

Published 10:48 pm Tuesday, May 22, 2018

10:30 p.m.

ATLANTA (AP) — In Georgia’s gubernatorial primary, Democrats elected the state’s first woman nominee from either party, but no Republican candidate could gather more than 50 percent of the vote — so the top two face a July runoff.

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If Stacey Abrams wins in November, she’ll become the first black woman governor in the U.S. She will face either Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle or Secretary of State Brian Kemp. Their runoff is scheduled for July 24.

Abrams beat former state Rep. Stacey Evans. The one-time legislative colleagues tussled over ethics accusations and their records on education. Both are Atlanta-area attorneys. Abrams got a last-minute boost with an endorsement — in the form of a 60-second robo-call — from Hillary Clinton.

In the Republican race, Cagle and Kemp beat three GOP rivals in a race characterized by strong support for gun rights and tough talk on immigration. The field was all white men – former legislators, officeholders and businessmen, some with decades of political experience and others positioning themselves as outsiders challenging the establishment.

In the ballroom of a downtown Atlanta hotel, Abrams supporters trickled in to a soundtrack of R&B and hip-hop songs. Two young women — one black and one white and both wearing shirts reading “Elect Black Women” — huddled over a table as Rihanna’s “Diamonds” played in the background.

At Cagle’s gathering in Gainesville, he walked through a crowd of supporters shaking hands, offering hugs and taking selfies while country singer Tyler Hammond performed on stage.

In Athens, supporters of Kemp streamed into the upstairs ballroom of the Holiday Inn to await returns.

The candidates are vying to succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Nathan Deal, who has held the office since 2011.

All of Georgia’s statewide constitutional offices are up for grabs this election cycle, including those vacated by Cagle and Kemp, as well as the position of insurance commissioner vacated by Ralph Hudgens, who isn’t seeking re-election.

Georgia’s 180 state House and 56 state Senate seats are also up for a vote.

Five of Georgia’s U.S. House members face primary challengers.

9:50 p.m.

x – indicates candidate has been declared victorious.

Governor Dem – Primary

1,211 of 2,619 precincts – 46 percent

x-Stacey Abrams 175,903 – 75 percent

Stacey Evans 58,597 – 25 percent

Governor GOP – Primary

1,069 of 2,619 precincts – 41 percent

Casey Cagle 124,148 – 39 percent

Brian Kemp 83,452 – 27 percent

Hunter Hill 54,728 – 17 percent

Clay Tippins 36,351 – 12 percent

Michael Williams 15,396 – 5 percent

Eddie Hayes 491 – 0 percent

Lieutenant Governor Dem – Primary

1,067 of 2,619 precincts – 41 percent

Sarah Amico 104,983 – 56 percent

Triana James 82,148 – 44 percent

Lieutenant Governor GOP – Primary

1,065 of 2,619 precincts – 41 percent

David Shafer 134,175 – 48 percent

Rick Jeffares 73,630 – 26 percent

Geoff Duncan 72,448 – 26 percent

Secretary of State Dem – Primary

1,007 of 2,619 precincts – 38 percent

John Barrow 96,147 – 52 percent

Dee Dawkins-Haigler 55,448 – 30 percent

Rakeim Hadley 33,788 – 18 percent

Secretary of State GOP – Primary

999 of 2,619 precincts – 38 percent

Brad Raffensperger 94,867 – 35 percent

David Isle 74,715 – 28 percent

Josh McKoon 56,464 – 21 percent

Buzz Brockway 41,296 – 15 percent

Appeals Court Judge Ellington Seat

895 of 2,619 precincts – 34 percent

Ken Hodges, NP 277,721 – 70 percent

Ken Shigley, NP 120,294 – 30 percent

9:30 p.m.

Stacey Abrams has won the Democratic primary in Georgia’s gubernatorial race.

She is the state’s first woman nominee for governor from either major party, and if she wins the general election in November, she’ll become the first black female governor in the U.S.

Former state House Minority Leader Abrams beat former state Rep. Stacey Evans in Tuesday’s race. Both are Atlanta-area attorneys. The race was characterized by a battle over the candidates’ legislative records on education.

Abrams is a celebrated romance novelist who made economic mobility and affordable health care cornerstones of her campaign.

Abrams has garnered major party endorsements including Hillary Clinton, U.S. Rep. John Lewis and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders.

Abrams would succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Nathan Deal, who has held the office since 2011.

9:20 p.m.

Governor Dem – Primary

649 of 2,619 precincts – 25 percent

Stacey Abrams 98,593 – 73 percent

Stacey Evans 35,826 – 27 percent

Governor GOP – Primary

646 of 2,619 precincts – 25 percent

Casey Cagle 86,799 – 40 percent

Brian Kemp 57,505 – 26 percent

Hunter Hill 37,563 – 17 percent

Clay Tippins 24,896 – 11 percent

Michael Williams 10,435 – 5 percent

Eddie Hayes 360 – 0 percent

Lieutenant Governor Dem – Primary

637 of 2,619 precincts – 24 percent

Sarah Amico 68,567 – 56 percent

Triana James 52,834 – 44 percent

Lieutenant Governor GOP – Primary

635 of 2,619 precincts – 24 percent

David Shafer 90,146 – 47 percent

Rick Jeffares 52,710 – 27 percent

Geoff Duncan 49,025 – 26 percent

Secretary of State Dem – Primary

617 of 2,619 precincts – 24 percent

John Barrow 59,987 – 51 percent

Dee Dawkins-Haigler 36,024 – 31 percent

Rakeim Hadley 21,528 – 18 percent

Secretary of State GOP – Primary

601 of 2,619 precincts – 23 percent

Brad Raffensperger 62,493 – 35 percent

David Isle 52,197 – 29 percent

Josh McKoon 37,569 – 21 percent

Buzz Brockway 27,546 – 15 percent

Appeals Court Judge Ellington Seat

420 of 2,619 precincts – 16 percent

Ken Hodges, NP 142,971 – 70 percent

Ken Shigley, NP 62,247 – 30 percent

8:54 p.m.

Governor Dem – Primary

209 of 2,619 precincts – 8 percent

Stacey Abrams 36,965 – 69 percent

Stacey Evans 16,486 – 31 percent

Governor GOP – Primary

198 of 2,619 precincts – 8 percent

Casey Cagle 43,880 – 41 percent

Brian Kemp 29,482 – 27 percent

Hunter Hill 17,319 – 16 percent

Clay Tippins 11,509 – 11 percent

Michael Williams 5,400 – 5 percent

Eddie Hayes 192 – 0 percent

Lieutenant Governor Dem – Primary

194 of 2,619 precincts – 7 percent

Sarah Amico 27,185 – 56 percent

Triana James 21,411 – 44 percent

Lieutenant Governor GOP – Primary

194 of 2,619 precincts – 7 percent

David Shafer 42,578 – 46 percent

Rick Jeffares 26,015 – 28 percent

Geoff Duncan 23,824 – 26 percent

Secretary of State Dem – Primary

178 of 2,619 precincts – 7 percent

John Barrow 23,423 – 52 percent

Dee Dawkins-Haigler 13,816 – 31 percent

Rakeim Hadley 7,861 – 17 percent

Secretary of State GOP – Primary

178 of 2,619 precincts – 7 percent

Brad Raffensperger 29,129 – 34 percent

David Isle 24,978 – 29 percent

Josh McKoon 17,714 – 21 percent

Buzz Brockway 13,761 – 16 percent

Appeals Court Judge Ellington Seat

132 of 2,619 precincts – 5 percent

Ken Hodges, NP 76,619 – 70 percent

Ken Shigley, NP 33,051 – 30 percent