Special Election Runoff Results

Mark Baker (Dem) — 903 votes (49.62%)
Derrick Jackson (Dem) — 917 votes (50.38%)

Congratulations Derrick Jackson!

We are excited to announce that House District 68 has a new Democratic representative in the Georgia State House! Congratulations to Derrick Jackson, a resident of Fayette County, who won the seat by just 14 votes. The seat was previously filled by the late Rep. Tish Naghise, who sadly passed away a few months ago after a short time in office. Representative Jackson will now take over her role in the Golden Dome until the next election cycle in 2024. Tish, a beloved member of our community, left behind a legacy of kindness, commitment, and passion. The FCDC has the utmost confidence that Derrick Jackson will continue this legacy on behalf of Tish, District 68, and the State of Georgia.

This has been quite a tough special election cycle, with five candidates running in the original race (Jackson, Baker, Idowu, Williams, and Culbreth), and with Derrick Jackson and Mark Baker making it to a special general runoff election. Fayette County is, of course, very pleased to see a local resident filling the seat; Rep. Jackson is now the only Democrat from Fayette County representing us in the State House.

Many of you will have heard of Derrick Jackson as he is no stranger to his new role. Jackson previously spent 6 years in the State House representing District 64. His former District is actually his current District, too. His successor, Tish Naghise, ran for District 68 after the area was subjected to harsh redistricting in 2020.

Derrick Jackson, a retired naval officer of 22 years, ran for Lieutenant Governor of Georgia during the gubernatorial election of 2022, but he is now returning to a role he knows well. His wife, CaMia Jackson, is also a State Representative for House District 153. Together they share seven children and one grandchild.

The Fayette County Democrats wish Representative Jackson the best of luck on his return to the State House, and we look forward to seeing the great things he accomplishes for District 68!

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Fayette County Democratic Comittee

Executive Board, ’23-’24