Democrat, Republican advance to runoff in Georgia Senate District 18 race

A Democrat and a Republican will face off in a special runoff election Feb. 17 for Georgia Senate District 18.

Democrat LeMario Brown received the most votes at nearly 37%, and Republican Steven McNeel finished second with 21%. 

The special election was called shortly after the resignation of former state Sen. John Kennedy, who is running for lieutenant governor on the Republican ticket.

Brown was the only Democrat in the election with five Republican candidates. The district covers a large portion of Middle Georgia, including parts of Macon-Bibb and Houston counties and all of Crawford, Monroe, Peach and Upson counties.

Brown, a farmer and small business owner, lists his campaign priorities as affordability, protecting communities, expanding healthcare access and investing in public safety solutions.

“I’m running because our communities deserve leadership that shows up, listens, and delivers,” Brown said. “This campaign is about people over politics, progress over promises, and building a future we can all be proud of.”

McNeel, a farmer, said in a Facebook post that he would fight for safe neighborhoods, low taxes, farms, Second Amendment rights and conservative values.

The Democratic Party of Georgia has touted Brown’s performance in the district that has long been held by Republicans and said it shows growing Democratic momentum in the state.