Georgia Voters Choose Lower Power Bills Over Party Lines

Georgia voters delivered a stunning upset this week, electing two Democrats to the state’s Public Service Commission and breaking decades of Republican control over the body that regulates the state’s largest utility company. The victory signals that rising electricity bills may be a more powerful motivator than traditional party loyalty.

Democrats Alicia Johnson and Peter Hubbard decisively defeated Republican incumbents, each capturing about 63% of the vote. Remarkably, they flipped several counties that had strongly supported Donald Trump in both 2020 and 2024. The wins came after Georgia’s all-Republican commission approved six power bill increases over the past three years while overseeing Georgia Power’s plans to meet surging energy demand from data centers—primarily through natural gas expansion.

Political scientists see the results as a clear message that voters prioritized pocketbook issues over partisan politics. “When civic education is explained in how these offices impact one’s daily life, when we go beyond rhetoric to actual education, perhaps there can be a shift in how the electorate votes,” said Georgia State University’s Tammy Greer.

While Republicans will maintain a narrow 3-2 majority when the new commissioners take office in January, utility experts believe the newcomers can still influence policy decisions. The commission faces immediate challenges including addressing Hurricane Helene cleanup costs and fuel price impacts on customer bills. However, major changes to Georgia’s fossil fuel-heavy energy mix may take years, as the utility’s long-term planning documents won’t come up for review until 2028.