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Georgia, State Senate, District 1

Georgia State Senate District 1
Current incumbentBen Watson Republican Party

Georgia's first state senate district is represented by Republican Senator Ben Watson.

Georgia state senators represent an average of 172,994 residents. After the 2000 Census, each member represented 157,437 residents.

About the chamber

Members of the Georgia State Senate serve two-year terms and are not subject to term limits. Georgia legislators assume office the second Monday in January.

Qualifications

According to the Georgia Constitution, Georgia Senators must be at least 25 years old, American citizens, Georgia citizens for at least two years and a resident of his or her Senatorial District for at least one year immediately preceding election.

Salaries

State legislators
SalaryPer diem
$17,342/year$173/day, set by the Legislative Services Committee.

Vacancies

If there is a vacancy in the senate, the vacant seat must be filled by a special election. The Governor must declare a special election no later than 10 days after the vacancy happened. The election must be held no less than 30 days and no later than 60 days after the Governor calls for the election. The counties representing the vacant district are responsible for conducting the election.

Elections

2020

Elections for the office of Georgia State Senate will take place in 2020. The general election will be held on November 3, 2020. A primary is scheduled for May 19, 2020, and a primary runoff is scheduled for July 21, 2020. A runoff election is scheduled for December 1, 2020. The filing deadline is March 6, 2020.

2018

General election
General election for Georgia State Senate District 1

Incumbent Ben Watson (R) defeated Sandra Workman (D) in the general election for Georgia State Senate District 1 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Ben Watson (R)
60.8
42,316

Sandra Workman (D)
39.2
27,258

Total votes: 69,574
(100.00% precincts reporting)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Georgia State Senate District 1

Sandra Workman advanced from the Democratic primary for Georgia State Senate District 1 on May 22, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Sandra Workman (D)
100
7,193

Total votes: 7,193
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Georgia State Senate District 1

Incumbent Ben Watson advanced from the Republican primary for Georgia State Senate District 1 on May 22, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Ben Watson (R)
100
9,262

Total votes: 9,262

2016

Elections for the Georgia State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on May 24, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was March 11, 2016.

Incumbent Ben Watson ran unopposed in the Georgia State Senate District 1 Republican primary.

Georgia State Senate, District 1 Republican Primary, 2016

Party Candidate
Republican Green check mark transparent.png Ben Watson Incumbent (unopposed)
Incumbent Ben Watson ran unopposed in the Georgia State Senate District 1 general election.

Georgia State Senate, District 1 General Election, 2016

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Green check mark transparent.png Ben Watson Incumbent (unopposed) 100.00% 59,151
Total Votes 59,151
Source: Georgia Secretary of State

2014

Elections for the Georgia State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on May 20, 2014 with a runoff election taking place where necessary on July 22, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 7, 2014. B.L. "Ben" Watson was unopposed in the Republican primary and was unchallenged in the general election.

2012

Elections for the office of Georgia State Senate consisted of a primary election on July 31, 2012, and a general election on November 6, 2012. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was May 25, 2012. Incumbent Earl "Buddy" Carter (R) was unopposed in both the general election and Republican primary. A total of $158,103 was raised by 2012 candidates in the district, with Carter raising all $158,103.

Georgia State Senate, District 1, General Election, 2012

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Green check mark transparent.pngEarl Carter Incumbent 100% 53,821
Total Votes 53,821

Campaign contributions

From 2002 to 2016, candidates for Georgia State Senate District 1 raised a total of $2,209,483. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $169,960 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, Georgia State Senate District 1

Year Amount Candidates Average
2016 $92,900 1 $92,900
2014 $111,285 1 $111,285
2012 $158,103 1 $158,103
2010 $262,272 2 $131,136
2008 $-36,070 1 $-36,070
2006 $758,507 2 $379,254
2004 $535,519 3 $178,506
2002 $194,511 1 $194,511
2000 $132,456 1 $132,456
Total $2,209,483 13 $169,960