Here’s how Bibb, Houston County residents voted in the Nov. 8 election

Caleb Slinkard, Hannah Jones & Henry Keating

Despite all the ads, flyers, stump speeches and campaign contributions, there were few surprises across Georgia Tuesday night.

Gov. Brian Kemp defeated Stacey Abrams by a significant margin, while Rep. Sanford Bishop comfortably held on to his Second Congressional District Seat over challenger Chis West. Sen. Raphael Warnock and Herschel Walker are almost certainly headed to a Dec. 6 runoff election.

The same can be said for Bibb and Houston counties. Voter turnout was high in both counties, and local voters followed statewide and historic trends. Here’s how Middle Georgians voted in the Nov. 8 election:

Significant voter turnout for Bibb County

Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock speaks during an election night watch party on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock speaks during an election night watch party on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

While voting totals are unofficial until they’re certified, about 52% of registered Bibb County voters cast a ballot in the Nov. 8 election — 54,217 people. That’s an impressive turnout for a midterm election, even considering the important races on the ballot.

Warnock outperformed Abrams, a trend that held up across the state. The incumbent Democratic Senator earned 32,997 votes, easily eclipsing Herschel Walker’s 20,179 for a wider margin than Abrams’ 31,409 to 22,368 lead over Gov. Brian Kemp.

In Georgia’s Second Congressional District, which does not cover all of Bibb County, Bishop earned the lion’s share of local votes, celebrating a more than 43-point margin over West (23,616 votes to 9,254).

Macon Water Authority, District 2

  • Desmond D. Brown: 4,692 votes (41.34%)

  • Lindsey D. Holliday: 2,410 votes (21.24%)

  • Michele Parks: 1,359 votes (11.97%)

  • Marshall Talley: 1,464 votes (12.9%)

  • Jeff Howell: 1,424 votes (12.55%)

The only contested local race was for the Macon Water Authority’s second district. The seat was originally held by Desmond Brown. Brown was censured by the MWA earlier this year and the authority was considering asking Gov. Brian Kemp’s office to remove him from office following an investigation into how Brown’s disaster mitigation company billed the MWA.

That process was halted when Brown vacated his District 2 seat to run for MWA chairman. After he lost a runoff against Gary Bechtel for that seat, he ran for his old District 2 position.

Tuesday, Brown received a plurality of the votes and now faces a Dec. 6 runoff against Lindsey Holliday.

House races split in Houston County

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Herschel Walker speaks during an election night watch party on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in Atlanta. Walker is running against Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Herschel Walker speaks during an election night watch party on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in Atlanta. Walker is running against Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

More people voted in Houston than Bibb County: 59,279, with only 18,406 of those on Election Day.

Unsurprisingly, Kemp received about 11,000 more votes in Houston County than Abrams. Warnock earned a higher percentage of votes than Abrams, with Walker leading him 32,225 votes to 25,629.

Two Congressional districts that cover portions of Houston County mirrored final results. Bishop (7,518 votes) lead West (5,776) while incumbent Republican Rep. Austin Scott won Georgia’s Eighth Congressional District both in Houston County (28,813 votes to challenger Darrius Butler’s 16,517) and across the district.

Houston County Commission Post 2

  • Shane Gottwals: 34,918 votes

  • Tim Riley: 23,494 votes

In the only competitive local race, Republican business owner Shane Gottwals handily defeated Democrat Tim Riley for Houston County commissioner.

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