Democrats pulled off another upset in Georgia on Tuesday, flipping a state House seat that President Trump carried by double digits. CNN’s Decision Desk rushed to project the outcome, and Democrats wasted no time turning it into a victory parade. Eric Gisler, a Democrat who runs an olive oil shop, is projected to defeat Republican Mack Dutch Guest in the 121st House District near Athens. The seat opened after GOP Rep. Marcus Wiedower resigned in late October, and apparently the district decided to take a temporary break from voting red.
Democrats have been bragging nonstop about a string of off year wins. They flipped seats in Virginia and New Jersey, grabbed a few in Mississippi after maps were redrawn, and even snatched a couple in Iowa and one in Pennsylvania. They say voters are buying what they are selling. That is one way to interpret it. Another is that Republicans in a handful of places might have gotten a little too comfortable assuming past margins would magically carry into the present without any work.
Republicans still control the Georgia House by a wide margin, but the state GOP has definitely had a rough few weeks. Democrats recently took two statewide Public Service Commission seats, which gave them even more reason to celebrate. Now they have a House pickup in a district that should not have been competitive. Even if it does not change the balance of power, it sends a message that ignoring local races while Democrats pour in money and volunteers is not exactly a winning strategy.
Democratic leaders responded with their usual victory lap. The Democratic Party of Georgia declared that the win was not just a win for them, but for every family in Oconee and Clarke Counties struggling under what they called 22 years of failed Republican leadership. Apparently the olive oil business is booming enough to fund a campaign that can suddenly rewrite the entire narrative of Georgia politics.
Party chair Charlie Bailey added that Georgians are realizing there is only one party working to lower costs, keep health care affordable, and put people ahead of big corporations. He promised that Democrats will keep outworking, out organizing, and out strategizing Republicans heading into 2026. In other words, they are feeling pretty good right now.
Republicans should take the hint. Districts once considered safe are not safe if the party treats them like autopilot seats. If Democrats can flip a Trump district with a shop owner who bottles olive oil, then it is time for the state GOP to wake up and get serious before the next round of elections arrives.
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