ALPHARETTA, Ga. (AP) — A GOP business owner won a Georgia state Senate race Tuesday over a Democrat who drew national attention for a better-than-expected showing in a special election last month.
Republican Jason Dickerson bested Democrat Debra Shigley in the runoff after no candidate in a seven-person field won a majority to take the seat outright in August.
Dickerson, who had a big lead in unofficial results, declared victory Tuesday night, and Shigley conceded.
“Conservatives in District 21 sent a strong message: woke liberal ideology has no place here,” Dickerson said in a statement. “I’m looking forward to taking office and fulfilling their mandate to champion the America First values that make us the greatest state to live, work, and raise a family.”
Dickerson, who self-funded his campaign and promised to lower taxes and support stricter immigration policies. will replace former Republican state Sen. Brandon Beach, who was drafted by President Donald Trump to be U.S. treasurer. Beach won the seat north of Atlanta with more than 70% of the vote in 2024.
Shigley’s finish in the August election drew attention from Democrats nationally, who said it was a sign of Democratic enthusiasm and frustration with Trump’s policies. On Saturday, Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin traveled to Georgia to campaign with Shigley in Alpharetta, a bustling suburb 26 miles (42 kilometers) north of Atlanta.
State Senate Democrats said grassroots organizing built momentum that could help them flip seats in 2026 races for governor, U.S. senator and other offices.
Shigley, the only Democrat in the special election, won 40% of the vote in the heavily Republican district. Georgia Republican political strategist Brian Robinson said Democrats generally perform well in low-turnout races like that one.
Kramon is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
Campaign signs for Georgia's Senate District 21 race are displayed, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, in Milton, Ga. (AP Photo/Charlotte Kramon)
Campaign signs for Georgia's Senate District 21 race are displayed, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, in Milton, Ga. (AP Photo/Charlotte Kramon)
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The father of NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin died and his mother was critically injured after a weekend fire heavily damaged the North Carolina home where they lived, officials said Monday.
Firefighters arrived Sunday night at a two-story home near Stanley that was mostly engulfed in fire, with flames showing through the attic, the Gaston County Office of Emergency Management and Fire Services said in a news release.
Dennis Hamlin, 75, and Mary Lou Hamlin, 69, were found outside the home, suffering from catastrophic injuries, officials said. Dennis Hamlin later died from his injuries at a hospital, officials said.
Mary Lou Hamlin was taken to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Burn Center in Winston-Salem, where she was being treated Monday, officials said.
The fire caused the structure to collapse. The cause is under investigation.
Stanley is located about 20 miles (32 kilometers) northwest of Charlotte.
The home is owned by a company called Won One Real Estate that lists Denny Hamlin as its manager, according to local property tax records and a business document filing with the North Carolina Secretary of State’s Office.
Representatives for Hamlin had not responded to requests for comment as of Monday evening.
Hamlin is one of the marquee drivers in NASCAR's top circuit, having won 60 NASCAR Cup Series races, including the Daytona 500 three times.
The 45-year-old driver for Joe Gibbs Racing has yet to win a Cup points championship. He fell short of the title during this season's final race in Arizona last month.
Weeks earlier, Hamlin said his father — who nearly went broke with financial sacrifices to try to get his son into NASCAR — was battling a serious illness, and that he didn't have much time left to live.
“I know for a fact this is my last chance for my dad to see it. I don’t want him going and never getting to see the moment,” Hamlin told The Associated Press.
Hamlin also mentioned his dad in emotional testimony this month at the start of a federal antitrust trial against NASCAR brought in part by 23XI Racing, which is owned by Hamlin and Basketball Hall of Famer Michael Jordan. NASCAR, 23XI Racing and another race team reached a settlement during the trial before jurors ever deliberated.
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Sainz reported from Memphis, Tennessee.
FILE - Denny Hamlin looks on prior to a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, in Concord, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley, File)
