>> ELECTION 2022
Baldwin County voters seem to agree with the state at large on candidates but favor the Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, while Georgia is deadlocked and likely headed to a runoff election as of press deadline.
Gov. Brian Kemp has been re-elected to a second term in his rematch with challenger Stacey Abrams, and Baldwin County mirrored those results with 7,987 voters, or 53.25%, supporting Kemp over Abrams.
With all Baldwin precincts reporting, former UGA running back Hershel Walker garnered 7,416 votes, 49.59%, compared to incumbent Sen. Raphael Warnock, who earned 7,324 votes, or 48.98%.
Those results nearly matched the state with a different frontrunner Tuesday night as frontrunner Warnock had 1,921,182 votes, 49.37%, to Walker’s 1,889,691 votes, 48.56%.
The spoiler? Chase Oliver (L) garnered 80,259 votes statewide, with 96.23% of precincts reporting, forcing a runoff in Georgia, where candidates must earn 50% plus one vote to win an election.
State Sen. Burt Jones (R), who represents Baldwin County, will be the next lieutenant governor, earning 52.72% of the votes in Baldwin County. Statewide, he garnered 51.46% of the vote.
State Rep. Rick Williams (R) will ascend to the state senate to represent District 25 by winning 61.62% of the vote in the district against challenger Valerie Rodgers (D).
For the seat vacated by Williams, Kenneth Vance (R) has defeated challenger Hoganne Harrison-Walton (D) by a margin of 57.5% in District 133.
In another race that was not competitive for Democrats, Austin Scott was re-elected by a margin of 53.62% of Baldwin County voters. He was more dominant in the district at large, earning 68.5% of the vote against challenger Darrius Butler.
If necessary –and it appears it will be –a runoff election will be Dec. 6.