DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody voters turned out in droves for last Tuesday’s general election, yielding favorable results for area Democratic Party candidates.

Congressional 6th District Rep. Lucy McBath, a Democrat, defeated Republican challenger Karen Handel by 36,575 votes, or 9 percent. McBath edged out Handel in the 2018 midterm election by 3,264 votes.

Both incumbents defended Georgia Assembly seats for the first time.

Democratic Sen. Sally Harrell defended her Senate District 40 seat with a 21 percent margin over Republican rival Garry Guan. District 40 includes Dunwoody and several surrounding cities,

House District 79 Democratic Rep. Michael Wilensky defeated Republican Andrea Johnson by almost 20 percent.

Democrats won both contested county seats representing Dunwoody.

Incumbent Republican District 1 County Commissioner Nancy Jester lost her seat to Democratic challenger Robert Patrick by 10,034 votes, more than 13 percent. Jester had been the sole Republican on the county commission.

DeKalb County Sheriff Melody Maddox, the incumbent Democrat, defeated Republican opponent Harold Dennis by 242,672 votes, a margin of almost 2-1.

Democratic success did not translate to immediate success in the Georgia General Assembly since Republicans retained solid majorities in both chambers. Republicans picked up one House seat in rural Georgia. Democrats won three metro Atlanta district races, resulting in a two-seat net gain. Democrats flipped one Senate seat in Gwinnett county.

Democrats hoped to shift the balance of power, reducing Republican control over statewide redistricting set to take place next year following the Census.

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