By Rebecca Gaunt
Cobb County was no exception to the seismic shift in control as Democrats dominated in the midterms across the country and in Georgia.
Nowhere was it felt harder than the Cobb County Board of Education, which was the final governing body still under Republican control. Republican incumbent David Chastain lost his bid for a fourth term to Democrat Micheal Garza, who received nearly 55% of the vote.
On his campaign’s Facebook page, Garza wrote, “This victory shows that voters are ready for a new direction in the leadership of our public schools. It was a rejection of a political climate that so often rewards those with deep pockets and negative campaign ads. It shows that voters are ready for us to have conversations rooted in what is best for our classrooms and what matters to our families.”
The fiercely divided board will split 4-3 in favor of the Democrats once Garza takes office in January.
Cobb delegation
Three of Cobb’s Republican legislative incumbents lost their seats.
State Sen. Ed Setzler (R-Acworth), then a representative, was the primary sponsor of 2019’s House Bill 481, commonly referred to as the Heartbeat Bill, to ban abortions at six weeks. He lost to Democratic challenger Darcy Castro.
State Rep. Don Parsons (R-North Cobb) lost House District 44 to Democrat Danielle Bell.
State Rep. Joseph Gullet (R-Dallas) lost in House District 19 to Cynthia Starke-Jones.
Gullett wrote in a statement, “Public service has never been about a title for me. It’s about showing up, listening, helping people, and making a difference. That doesn’t change. Congratulations to my opponent on a hard-fought race. I wish her success as she takes on the responsibility of representing our community.”
Cobb BOC
The Cobb County Board of Commissioners will also swear in a new face.
District 3’s Commissioner JoAnn Birrell, a Republican, lost her bid for a fifth term to Democratic challenger Kevin Redmon. In a statement posted to Facebook, he thanked Birrell for her years of service, and wrote, “I’m ready to listen, work with people across our community, and make the decisions that will move Cobb County forward.”
Rebecca Gaunt earned a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia and a master’s degree in education from Oglethorpe University. After teaching elementary school for several years, she returned to writing. She lives in Marietta with her husband, son, two cats, and a dog. In her spare time, she loves to read, binge Netflix and travel.