Spencer Frye, the Athens Area Habitat for Humanity Director who ousted longtime state Rep Keith Heard in this summer’s Democratic primary, has defeated Republican Carter Kessler to win the race for Athens’ House District 118. Kessler, who won his July primary over fellow Republican Chris Perlera, was counting on local Tea Party support to propel what would have been an upset victory over Frye, who will take part in his first legislative session in January.

Three northeast Georgia sheriffs picked up Election Day reelection wins: Republican Kip Thomas defeated Democrat Brent Zellner in Madison County, while incumbent Jud Smith scored another win for the GOP with a reelection victory in Barrow County. Smith defeated Democrat James Scott.  It was closer in Oglethorpe County, where incumbent Democrat Mike Smith held off Republican challenger Kelly LaCount. And an incumbent was apparently defeated in Elbert County, where Republican Barry Haston looks to have lost to Democrat Melvin Andrews .

Madison County state Senator Frank Ginn cruised to an easy election victory over challenger Tim Riley in the race for a northeast Georgia Senate seat. Republican Ginn defeated Democrat Riley to win another term as Senator from the 47^th District.

Hall County state Rep Doug Collins scored an easy election victory over Gainesville attorney Jody Cooley. Republican Collins defeated Democrat Cooley in the race for the newly reconfigured 9^th Congressional District. Collins goes to Washington to represent a district that stretches north from Athens through Gainesville to the state line, taking in all or parts of twenty counties across northeast Georgia.