In yesterday’s runoff election (to fill the seat left vacant by David Ralston’s death), Johnny Chastain received 4,556 votes (52.76%) to Sheree Ralston’s 4,080 votes (47.24%). Total votes cast were 8,636.
This is a somewhat surprising result, given the Governor Kemp endorsed Ralston, and apparently provided help with the “get out the vote” effort. On the other hand, she may have overdone it, with at least once daily texts and phone calls, which may have irritated some voters. Others may have been turned off by the fact that she was David Ralston’s second wife.
On the other hand, there’s no doubt that Chastain is well known in Fannin County, as he is the President of the local United Community Bank. To my knowledge, he has not been active in politics before.
District 7 is comprised of Fannin County, Gilmer County, and parts of Dawson County.