Incumbent Governor Sonny Perdue (R) was ineligible to seek re-election due to term limits. The Republican primary featured four candidates who received over 15% of the vote in the first round: former Secretary of StateKaren Handel, former U.S. Representative Nathan Deal, former Georgia State SenatorEric Johnson, and Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine.[2] Handel, Deal, and Johnson all resigned their offices during or shortly before the campaign. Because no candidate received a majority of the vote, the race went to a runoff between the top two candidates, Handel and Deal.
Deal won the runoff narrowly, with a margin of about 0.4%, or 2,519 votes out of 579,551 cast.[3] The Democratic nomination was won easily by former Governor Roy Barnes without a runoff; his most prominent opponent was Attorney GeneralThurbert Baker.[4]
In the general election, Deal defeated Barnes, becoming just the third Republican to be elected Governor of Georgia, after Perdue and Reconstruction-era governor Rufus Bullock.
Incumbent Secretary of State Brian Kemp (R), who succeeded Karen Handel (R) after she resigned to focus on her gubernatorial bid,[8] sought election to a full term and won the Republican primary on July 20. Georganna Sinkfield defeated Gail Buckner in a runoff for the Democratic nomination.
Incumbent Superintendent of Education Kathy Cox (R) originally intended to seek re-election, but on May 17 announced that she would resign effective July 1, 2010 in order to take a position as CEO of a new non-profit, the U.S. Education Delivery Institute in Washington D.C.[11]William Bradley Bryant was appointed by Gov. Perdue to fill the vacancy,[12] but failed to qualify to run in the November election as an independent.[13]Joe Martin and John D. Barge won the Democratic and Republican nominations, respectively.
Incumbent Commissioner of Insurance John Oxendine (R) was retiring from his position to run for Governor of Georgia. Ralph Hudgens defeated Maria Sheffield in a runoff for the Republican nomination, while Mary Squires was unopposed for the Democratic nomination.
Incumbent Commissioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin (D) was retiring in 2010.[16]Gary Black won the Republican nomination, while J. B. Powell was unopposed for the Democratic nomination.
Incumbent Commissioner of Labor Mike Thurmond (D) was retiring from his position to run for the United States Senate. Darryl Hicks narrowly won the Democratic nomination, according to unofficial results, while Mark Butler easily won the Republican nomination.
In 2010, one seat on the Georgia Public Service Commission was up for election. Though candidates must come from the districts that they wish to represent on the commission, they are elected statewide.
Incumbent second District Public Service Commissioner Bobby Baker (R) is retiring.[19]Tim Echols defeated John Douglas in a runoff for the Republican nomination, while Keith Moffett was unopposed for the Democratic nomination.
Two measures, both legislatively referred constitutional amendments, will be on the ballot: the Trauma Care Funding Amendment (Impose $10 fee on car registration; funds directed to trauma care centers) and the Employment Contract Enforcement Amendment (Allow the enforcement of contracts that restrict competition during or after the term of employment).
