Democrat Eric Gisler Declares Narrow Upset in Georgia’s House District 121

ATLANTA — Democrat Eric Gisler declared victory Tuesday in a special election for Georgia House District 121, saying he led Republican Mack “Dutch” Guest by roughly 200 votes out of more than 11,000 in final unofficial returns.

Robert Sinners, a spokesperson for the secretary of state’s office, cautioned that a small number of provisional ballots could still be counted before the result is certified, leaving the margin subject to slight change.

Gisler credited energized Democratic turnout and voter frustration with the status quo for his showing. “I think we had the right message for the time,” he told The Associated Press by phone. He added that some traditional conservatives had been disappointed by promises of lower prices and other expectations that were not met, prompting them to look for change at the ballot box.

Guest did not immediately respond to a text message seeking comment late Tuesday.

Democrat Eric Gisler talks to supporters about his election victory in a Georgia state House race on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025 at the Trappeze Pub in Athens, Ga. (Christopher Dowd/Athens Political Nerd via AP)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)

A Small Win With Broader Implications

The result — if finalized — would be one of several Democratic gains in 2025 and would further erode the Republican majority in the Georgia House. Republicans still control the chamber, but their margin is expected to narrow to about 99-81 when lawmakers convene in January.

Democrats have enjoyed a string of successes this year, from statewide special-election wins for the Public Service Commission in Georgia driven by concerns over rising electricity costs, to decisive gubernatorial victories in Virginia and New Jersey. On Tuesday, a Democrat defeated a Trump-endorsed candidate in Miami’s officially nonpartisan mayoral race, becoming the city’s first Democratic mayor in nearly 30 years.

Local Context: District 121

District 121, northeast of Atlanta in the Athens area, was vacated when Republican Marcus Wiedower resigned midterm to focus on business interests. Most of the district lies in Oconee County, a Republican-leaning suburb, and extends into heavily Democratic Athens-Clarke County. Critics have long argued the lines were drawn to concentrate Democratic voters in one Athens-Clarke district while carving the remainder into seats favorable to Republicans.

Gisler, 49, of Watkinsville, works in insurance technology and owns a gourmet olive oil shop. He ran on a platform emphasizing improved health care access, increased affordability, and reinvestment of Georgia’s budget surplus. He previously challenged Wiedower in 2024, losing 61% to 39%.

Guest, who was making his first run for public office, is the president of a trucking company. He highlighted community ties and campaigned on improving public safety and cutting taxes. He was endorsed by Republican Gov. Brian Kemp and outraised Gisler in campaign fundraising.

Bottom line: The margin is narrow and unofficial, but Gisler’s reported lead underscores shifting dynamics in several local and statewide contests this year and could further reduce the GOP’s edge in the Georgia House.