| Election Name: | 2014 Georgia elections |
| Country: | Georgia (U.S. state) |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 2012 Georgia state elections |
| Previous Year: | 2012 |
| Next Election: | 2016 Georgia state elections |
| Next Year: | 2016 |
A general election was held in the U.S. state of Georgia on November 4, 2014. All of Georgia's executive officers were up for election as well as a United States Senate seat, all of Georgia's fourteen seats in the United States House of Representatives and all seats in both houses of the Georgia General Assembly. Primary elections were held on May 20, 2014. Primary runoffs, necessary if no candidate wins a majority of the vote, were held on July 22, 2014.
See main article: 2014 United States Senate election in Georgia. Incumbent Republican senator Saxby Chambliss chose to retire rather than run for re-election to a third term in office.
Seven Republicans ran for their party's nomination: U.S. Representative Paul Broun,[1] patent attorney Art Gardner,[2] U.S. Representative Phil Gingrey,[3] conservative political activist Derrick E. Grayson,[4] former Secretary of State of Georgia Karen Handel,[5] U.S. Representative Jack Kingston[6] and Georgia Ports Authority board member David Perdue.[7] Perdue and Kingston came first and second, respectively in the primary. As no candidate won a majority, the two proceeded to a runoff. Perdue won the runoff by a narrow margin.
Four Democrats ran for their party's nomination: former state senator Steen Miles,[8] daughter of former U.S. Senator Sam Nunn and CEO of Points of Light Michelle Nunn,[9] physician Branko Radulovacki[10] and Reserve Officers' Training Corps instructor Todd Robinson.[11] Nunn easily won the Democratic nomination with almost 75% of the vote.
See main article: 2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Georgia. All of Georgia's fourteen seats in the United States House of Representatives were up for election in 2014.
The race in the 12th congressional district is considered by political prognosticators to be the most competitive. In addition, open seat contests in the 1st, 10th, and 11th districts featured competitive Republican primaries for seats held by retiring Republican incumbents. There was also a competitive Democratic primary in the 4th district.[12]
See main article: 2014 Georgia gubernatorial election. Incumbent Republican Governor Nathan Deal ran for re-election to a second term as governor.
Deal was challenged in the Republican primary by State Superintendent of Schools John Barge[13] and Dalton Mayor David Pennington.[14] He defeated them all, winning renomination with 72% to 17% for Pennington and 11% for Barge.
State Senator Jason Carter, a grandson of former president and former governor Jimmy Carter, was unopposed for the Democratic Party's nomination.[15]
| Election Name: | 2014 Georgia lieutenant gubernatorial election |
| Country: | Georgia (U.S. state) |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Turnout: | 42.25% |
| Previous Election: | 2010 Georgia state elections#Lieutenant governor |
| Previous Year: | 2010 |
| Next Election: | 2018 Georgia lieutenant gubernatorial election |
| Next Year: | 2018 |
| Election Date: | November 4, 2014 |
| Nominee1: | Casey Cagle |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 1,462,720 |
| Percentage1: | 58.1% |
| Nominee2: | Connie Stokes |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 1,056,298 |
| Percentage2: | 41.9% |
| Lieutenant Governor | |
| Before Election: | Casey Cagle |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Casey Cagle |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
Incumbent Republican lieutenant governor Casey Cagle ran for re-election to a third term in office.[16] He was unopposed in the Republican primary.
Connie Stokes, a former DeKalb County Commissioner, former state senator and candidate for Georgia's 4th congressional district in 2004 and 2010 was the Democratic nominee and was unopposed in her primary election.[17]
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | class=small | Sample size | class=small | Margin of error | Casey Cagle (R) | Connie Stokes (D) | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | November 1–3, 2014 | 975 | ± 3.1% | align=center | 52% | 38% | 10% | |
| Landmark Communications | November 2, 2014 | 1,500 | ± 2.5% | align=center | 54% | 42% | 5% | |
| SurveyUSA | October 30 – November 2, 2014 | 591 | ± 4.1% | align=center | 54% | 38% | 9% | |
| Landmark Communications | October 29, 2014 | 1,500 | ± 2.5% | align=center | 53% | 42% | 5% | |
| SurveyUSA | October 24–27, 2014 | 611 | ± 4% | align=center | 52% | 41% | 7% | |
| SurveyUSA | October 17–20, 2014 | 606 | ± 4.1% | align=center | 48% | 40% | 12% | |
| SurveyUSA | October 10–13, 2014 | 563 | ± 4.2% | align=center | 49% | 42% | 9% | |
| Landmark Communications | October 7–9, 2014 | 1,000 | ± 3.1% | align=center | 50% | 42% | 8% | |
| SurveyUSA | October 2–6, 2014 | 566 | ± 4.2% | align=center | 51% | 39% | 10% | |
| Public Policy Polling | October 2–5, 2014 | 895 | ± 3.3% | align=center | 48% | 37% | 16% | |
| SurveyUSA | September 19–22, 2014 | 550 | ± 4.3% | align=center | 47% | 43% | 10% | |
| Landmark Communications | September 9–11, 2014 | 1,109 | ± 2.9% | align=center | 50% | 41% | 9% | |
| SurveyUSA | September 5–8, 2014 | 558 | ± 4.2% | align=center | 51% | 40% | 9% | |
| SurveyUSA | August 14–17, 2014 | 560 | ± 4.2% | align=center | 53% | 36% | 12% |
| Election Name: | 2014 Georgia attorney general election |
| Country: | Georgia (U.S. state) |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Turnout: | 42.25% |
| Previous Election: | 2010 Georgia state elections#Attorney general |
| Previous Year: | 2010 |
| Next Election: | 2018 Georgia Attorney General election |
| Next Year: | 2018 |
| Election Date: | November 4, 2014 |
| Nominee1: | Sam Olens |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 1,432,638 |
| Percentage1: | 57.0% |
| Nominee2: | Greg Hecht |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 1,081,007 |
| Percentage2: | 43.0% |
| Attorney General | |
| Before Election: | Sam Olens |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Sam Olens |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
Incumbent Republican attorney general Sam Olens ran for re-election to a second term in office.[18] He was unopposed in the Republican primary.
Greg Hecht, a former state representative, former state senator and candidate for lieutenant governor in 2006 was unopposed for the Democratic nomination.[19]
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | class=small | Sample size | class=small | Margin of error | Sam Olens (R) | Greg Hecht (D) | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | November 1–3, 2014 | 975 | ± 3.1% | align=center | 51% | 37% | 12% | |
| SurveyUSA | October 30 – November 2, 2014 | 591 | ± 4.1% | align=center | 51% | 39% | 9% | |
| SurveyUSA | October 24–27, 2014 | 611 | ± 4% | align=center | 48% | 43% | 10% | |
| Landmark Communications | October 20–21, 2014 | 1,000 | ± 2.75% | align=center | 52% | 44% | 4% | |
| SurveyUSA | October 10–13, 2014 | 563 | ± 4.2% | align=center | 46% | 43% | 11% | |
| Landmark Communications | October 7–9, 2014 | 1,000 | ± 3.1% | align=center | 50% | 44% | 7% | |
| SurveyUSA | October 2–6, 2014 | 566 | ± 4.2% | align=center | 46% | 39% | 15% | |
| Public Policy Polling | October 2–5, 2014 | 895 | ± 3.3% | align=center | 45% | 36% | 19% | |
| SurveyUSA | September 19–22, 2014 | 550 | ± 4.3% | align=center | 48% | 41% | 12% | |
| SurveyUSA | September 5–8, 2014 | 558 | ± 4.2% | align=center | 49% | 41% | 10% | |
| SurveyUSA | August 14–17, 2014 | 560 | ± 4.2% | align=center | 49% | 36% | 15% |
| Election Name: | 2014 Georgia Secretary of State election |
| Country: | Georgia (U.S. state) |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Turnout: | 42.25% |
| Previous Election: | 2010 Georgia state elections#Secretary of State |
| Previous Year: | 2010 |
| Next Election: | 2018 Georgia Secretary of State election |
| Next Year: | 2018 |
| Election Date: | November 4, 2014 |
| Nominee1: | Brian Kemp |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 1,452,554 |
| Percentage1: | 57.5% |
| Nominee2: | Doreen Carter |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 1,075,101 |
| Percentage2: | 42.5% |
| Map Size: | 250px |
| Secretary of State | |
| Before Election: | Brian Kemp |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Brian Kemp |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
Incumbent Republican Secretary of State Brian Kemp ran for re-election to a second term in office.[20] He was unopposed in the Republican primary.
Gerald Beckum, the Mayor of Oglethorpe,[21] and Doreen Carter, president of the Greater Lithonia Chamber of Commerce and a former Lithonia City Councilwoman, ran for the Democratic nomination.[22]
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | class=small | Sample size | Margin of error | Gerald Beckum | Doreen Carter | Undecided | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SurveyUSA | May 8–12, 2014 | 549 | ± 4.2% | 20% | align=center | 48% | 32% | |
| SurveyUSA | April 24–27, 2014 | 435 | ± 4.8% | 23% | align=center | 48% | 29% | |
| SurveyUSA | March 16–18, 2014 | 443 | ± 4.8% | 22% | align=center | 45% | 33% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | class=small | Sample size | class=small | Margin of error | Brian Kemp (R) | Doreen Carter (D) | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | November 1–3, 2014 | 975 | ± 3.1% | align=center | 50% | 41% | 10% | |
| SurveyUSA | October 30 – November 2, 2014 | 591 | ± 4.1% | align=center | 52% | 40% | 8% | |
| Landmark Communications | October 29, 2014 | 1,500 | ± 2.5% | align=center | 51% | 42.8% | 6.2% | |
| SurveyUSA | October 24–27, 2014 | 611 | ± 4% | align=center | 51% | 40% | 9% | |
| SurveyUSA | October 17–20, 2014 | 606 | ± 4.1% | align=center | 47% | 40% | 13% | |
| SurveyUSA | October 10–13, 2014 | 563 | ± 4.2% | align=center | 48% | 41% | 11% | |
| Landmark Communications | October 7–9, 2014 | 1,000 | ± 3.1% | align=center | 50% | 44% | 7% | |
| SurveyUSA | October 2–6, 2014 | 566 | ± 4.2% | align=center | 49% | 39% | 13% | |
| Public Policy Polling | October 2–5, 2014 | 895 | ± 3.3% | align=center | 48% | 39% | 13% | |
| SurveyUSA | September 19–22, 2014 | 550 | ± 4.3% | align=center | 46% | 44% | 10% | |
| SurveyUSA | September 5–8, 2014 | 558 | ± 4.2% | align=center | 52% | 39% | 9% | |
| SurveyUSA | August 14–17, 2014 | 560 | ± 4.2% | align=center | 53% | 36% | 11% |
Incumbent Republican Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black ran for re-election to a second term in office.[20] He was unopposed in the Republican primary.
Christopher Irvin, a contractor, nominee for the State House of Representatives in 2010 and grandson of former Commissioner Tommy Irvin, ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination.[23]
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | class=small | Sample size | class=small | Margin of error | Gary Black (R) | Christopher Irvin (D) | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | November 1–3, 2014 | 975 | ± 3.1% | align=center | 47% | 41% | 12% | |
| SurveyUSA | October 17–20, 2014 | 606 | ± 4.1% | align=center | 49% | 40% | 11% | |
| Landmark Communications | October 7–9, 2014 | 1,000 | ± 3.1% | align=center | 48% | 43% | 9% | |
| Public Policy Polling | October 2–5, 2014 | 895 | ± 3.3% | align=center | 45% | 36% | 19% |
Incumbent Republican Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire Ralph Hudgens ran for re-election to a second term in office.[21] He was unopposed in the Republican primary.
Ted Metz qualified as the Libertarian nominee.
Insurance associate and former state representative Keith Heard[24] and retired insurance professional Liz Johnson ran for the Democratic nomination.[25]
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | class=small | Sample size | Margin of error | Keith Heard | Liz Johnson | Undecided | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SurveyUSA | May 8–12, 2014 | 549 | ± 4.2% | 26% | align=center | 43% | 31% | |
| SurveyUSA | April 24–27, 2014 | 435 | ± 4.8% | 28% | align=center | 48% | 25% | |
| SurveyUSA | March 16–18, 2014 | 443 | ± 4.8% | 29% | align=center | 45% | 26% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | class=small | Sample size | class=small | Margin of error | Ralph Hudgens (R) | Liz Johnson (D) | Ted Metz (L) | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | November 1–3, 2014 | 975 | ± 3.1% | align=center | 46% | 37% | 6% | 11% | |
| Landmark Communications | October 20–21, 2014 | 1,000 | ± 2.75% | align=center | 46% | 41% | 9% | 4% | |
| GaPundit.com | October 13–14, 2014 | 1,543 | ± 2.49% | align=center | 46% | 37% | 9% | 8% | |
| Public Policy Polling | October 2–5, 2014 | 895 | ± 3.3% | align=center | 41% | 34% | 10% | 15% |
Incumbent Republican Commissioner of Labor Mark Butler ran for re-election to a second term in office.[21] He was unopposed in the Republican primary.
Attorney and former state representative Robbin Shipp is the Democratic nominee. She was unopposed in the primary election.[21]
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | class=small | Sample size | class=small | Margin of error | Mark Butler (R) | Robbin Shipp (D) | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | November 1–3, 2014 | 975 | ± 3.1% | align=center | 47% | 39% | 14% | |
| Public Policy Polling | October 2–5, 2014 | 895 | ± 3.3% | align=center | 45% | 36% | 19% |
Incumbent Republican State Superintendent of Schools John Barge did not run for re-election to a second term in office. He instead ran for governor.[26]
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | class=small | Sample size | Margin of error | Mary Kay Bacallo | Ashley Bell | Mike Buck | Sharyl Dawes | Allen Fort | Nancy Jester | Fitz Johnson | Kira Willis | Richard Woods | Undecided | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SurveyUSA | May 8–12, 2014 | 634 | ± 4% | 5% | align=center | 13% | align=center | 9% | 5% | 7% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 8% | align=center | 38% | |
| SurveyUSA | April 24–27, 2014 | 501 | ± 4.5% | 4% | align=center | 10% | 7% | 4% | 7% | 7% | 5% | 3% | align=center | 9% | align=center | 43% | |
| SurveyUSA | March 16–18, 2014 | 508 | ± 4.2% | 2% | align=center | 10% | 8% | 3% | 8% | 7% | 5% | 3% | align=center | 9% | align=center | 45% |
Buck and Woods advanced to the runoff, which Woods won by 199,453 votes to 198,740. As his 713-vote margin of victory was less than 1%, a recount was considered likely.[35] Buck duly requested one on July 29[36] and two days later, Woods was confirmed as the winner after Buck only narrowed the margin by 13 votes.[37]
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | class=small | Sample size | Margin of error | Tarnisha Dent | Denise Freeman | Jurita Forehand Mays | Alisha Thomas Morgan | Rita Robinzine | Valarie Wilson | Undecided | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SurveyUSA | May 8–12, 2014 | 549 | ± 4.2% | 10% | 13% | 6% | align=center | 20% | 3% | align=center | 17% | align=center | 30% | |
| SurveyUSA | April 24–27, 2014 | 435 | ± 4.8% | 10% | 13% | 5% | align=center | 19% | 5% | align=center | 16% | align=center | 30% | |
| SurveyUSA | March 16–18, 2014 | 443 | ± 4.8% | 9% | align=center | 16% | 11% | 12% | 5% | align=center | 17% | align=center | 29% |
Wilson and Morgan advanced to a runoff, which Wilson won handily.[39]
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | class=small | Sample size | class=small | Margin of error | Richard Woods (R) | Valarie Wilson (D) | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | November 1–3, 2014 | 975 | ± 3.1% | align=center | 47% | 40% | 13% | |
| SurveyUSA | October 30 – November 2, 2014 | 591 | ± 4.1% | align=center | 47% | 44% | 8% | |
| Landmark Communications | October 29, 2014 | 1,500 | ± 2.5% | align=center | 47% | 46% | 6% | |
| SurveyUSA | October 24–27, 2014 | 611 | ± 4% | align=center | 48% | 43% | 9% | |
| Landmark Communications | October 20–21, 2014 | 1,000 | ± 2.75% | align=center | 50% | 46% | 5% | |
| SurveyUSA | October 17–20, 2014 | 606 | ± 4.1% | align=center | 46% | 44% | 11% | |
| GaPundit.com | October 13–14, 2014 | 1,543 | ± 2.49% | align=center | 47% | 43% | 10% | |
| SurveyUSA | October 10–13, 2014 | 563 | ± 4.2% | 46% | 46% | 8% | ||
| SurveyUSA | October 2–6, 2014 | 566 | ± 4.2% | align=center | 46% | 42% | 12% | |
| Public Policy Polling | October 2–5, 2014 | 895 | ± 3.3% | align=center | 46% | 40% | 14% | |
| SurveyUSA | September 19–22, 2014 | 550 | ± 4.3% | align=center | 46% | 44% | 10% | |
| SurveyUSA | September 5–8, 2014 | 558 | ± 4.2% | align=center | 47% | 43% | 10% | |
| GaPundit.com | August 24–25, 2014 | 1,578 | ± 2.47% | align=center | 47% | 43% | 10% | |
| SurveyUSA | August 14–17, 2014 | 560 | ± 4.2% | align=center | 51% | 39% | 10% |
Two members of the five-person Georgia Public Service Commission were up for election.
District 1 incumbent Republican Herman D. "Doug" Everett ran for re-election.[21]
Libertarian John Monds, the nominee for the seat in 2008 and the nominee for Governor in 2010 qualified as the Libertarian nominee to oppose Everett, who had no Democratic opponent.
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | class=small | Sample size | class=small | Margin of error | Doug Everett (R) | John Monds (L) | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GaPundit.com | October 13–14, 2014 | 1,543 | ± 2.49% | align=center | 45% | 31% | 24% |
District 4 incumbent Republican Lauren McDonald ran for re-election to a second consecutive and third overall term in office.[40]
Business manager and candidate for the State House of Representatives in 2008 Daniel Blackman was unopposed for the Democratic nomination in District 4.[21] Aaron Gilmer was the Libertarian nominee.
He was opposed in the Republican primary by attorney Doug Kidd[41] and insurance agent and Hall County Commissioner Craig Lutz.[42]
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | class=small | Sample size | class=small | Margin of error | Lauren McDonald (R) | Daniel Blackman (D) | Aaron Gilmer (L) | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GaPundit.com | October 13–14, 2014 | 1,543 | ± 2.49% | align=center | 43% | 37% | 11% | 9% |