Georgia Democrats celebrate historic wins in Public Service Commission races

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — Georgia Democrats are celebrating sweeping victories in the state’s Public Service Commission races, marking their strongest statewide showing in decades.

Both Democratic candidates — Alicia Johnson and Peter Hubbard — won by more than 25 points, a margin not seen by the party in years.

Their decisive victories delivered a message about voter frustration over rising utility costs, according to party leaders.

“This election is for most of what governs our utility bills,” said Royal Anderson, Muscogee County Democratic Party chairperson. “Our messaging was plain — is your electricity bill too high? We mobilized our voters, we made phone calls, we knocked doors.”

Republicans, who hold every statewide constitutional office, are now reflecting on the losses ahead of the 2026 election cycle.

“The Republicans got outworked and, to some extent, outsmarted,” said Alton Russell, past Muscogee County Republican chairman. “They had a better message — which is not my favorite thing to say.”

Democrats framed their campaigns around affordability and everyday economic concerns. State Sen. Jason Esteves, who recently announced his run for governor, said Georgia voters are “tired of the same old politics.”

“They’re tired of their costs continuing to go up and leadership not doing anything about it,” Esteves said.

Even Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who is also running for governor, acknowledged that affordability was central to Tuesday’s results.

“Affordability was on the ballot,” Raffensperger said. “I’m running as Georgia’s next governor to make sure that we keep Georgia affordable — and safe.”

In Muscogee County, both Democratic PSC winners earned nearly 80% of the vote, carrying almost every precinct, including areas that typically lean Republican.

Anderson said the results are a preview of what’s to come.
“This was a glimpse of what we will do in 2026,” she said. “Democrats will show up.”

Russell believes Republicans will regroup.
“I think 2026 will be a rallying point,” he said. “Last night was a wake-up call that we can’t take anything for granted.”