Georgia Senate primary election results and winners in Chatham County

The Georgia Senate primary election results are in, setting the stage for general elections in Chatham County. 

This year, Democratic primaries took place in District 1 and District 2 with the latter holding the only Republican primary.

Two Democrats challenged Republican incumbent Ben Watson, who assumed office in 2015. Four candidates — two Democrats and two Republicans — ran for Lester Jackson’s open seat after the long-time senator elected to campaign for State Labor commissioner instead of going up for re-election. 

Election results: Race-by-race results for local and statewide contests

Read More:Who is running for Georgia Senate in the 2022 primary?

GA primary election: Polls are closed, vote tally begins in Savannah, Chatham County

Election Day issues:Chatham’s Election Day problems stemmed from equipment, electrical issues: elections chief

Take a closer look at the winners of each race below. 

Georgia Senate District 1

Incumbent Sen. Ben Watson, who won office in 2014, faced no opposition in the Republican primary and will face Democratic candidate James “Jay” Jones in the November general election.

Jones defeated his opponent, Andrew Robert Niquette, with 78.95% of the votes. 

Jones serves as the chairman of the Chatham Democratic Committee and previously sat on the Chatham County Commission. He mounted an unsuccessful campaign for Chatham Commission chairman in 2020, losing to Chester Ellis.

Georgia Senate District 2

Republican Clinton Young and Democrat Derek Mallow will face off in November to represent District 2 in the Georgia State Senate.

Young defeated Ken Yasger in the Republican primary with 55.93% of the vote. Mallow defeated opponent Orlando Scott with 65.61% of the vote in the Democratic primary. 

Related:House Rep. Derek Mallow announces his run for Georgia Senate seat

Mallow joined the Georgia House in 2021 after winning a 2020 election runoff against Anne Westbrook by 19 votes. Mallow is a champion for more educational funding and wants to further expand Medicaid and criminal justice reform. He also wants to address the need for affordable housing.