Jaha Howard narrowly wins Georgia Senate District 35 runoff

Dr. Jaha Howard won the Georgia state Senate election for District 35 with just over 200 votes. 

Howard has experience in education, health care and local government, serving four years on the Cobb County Board of Education.

He received 51% of the vote in the race against fellow Democrat Roger Bruce. The runoff election was required after no candidate received a majority of the vote at the special election Nov. 18.

The election was called after the resignation of state Sen. Jason Esteves, D-Atlanta, who is running for governor in 2026.

Roger Bruce previously served in the Georgia House and raised more funds than any other candidate in the race at $40,802 total contributions, according to the Georgia Campaign Finance System. 

District 35 covers parts of Cobb and Fulton counties, which tend to favor Democratic candidates.

Howard, who raised $36,362, is expected to be sworn in ahead of the next legislative session, according to CBS News.