Metro Atlanta runoff to decide state senator in a deep-red district where a Democrat made gains

Democratic state Senate candidate Debra Shigley poses for a photo in Canton, Ga. Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Kramon, File)

This story was updated on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, at 5:09 p.m.

A Democrat who drew national attention for her better-than-expected performance in a Georgia special election is facing a GOP businessman Tuesday for a state Senate seat in a heavily Republican district.

Democrat Debra Shigley and Republican Jason Dickerson are competing in a runoff after no candidate in a seven-person field won a majority to take the seat outright last month.