Primary rundown: Runoffs galore!

Maybe Cobb voters are unhappy about that new Braves stadium, eh?

By Thomas Wheatley Wednesday May 25, 2016 09:22 AM EDT

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Ah, primary elections. They’re important, often overlooked, and sometimes throw voters a few surprises. Who knew so many people in Cobb County were so unhappy about Chairman Tim Lee! Here’s a rundown of some of the key races decided yesterday. More than a few candidates will have to encourage voters to return to the polls for a July 26 runoff. Interested in other races? Here are how races played out across the state and in Fulton County.

U.S. Senate: Jim “Have you seen my hat?” Barksdale defeated opponents Mike Coyne and Cheryl Copeland and will face Sen. Johnny Isakson, who handily defeated GOP primary challengers, in November.

Atlanta Public Schools E-SPLOST: Nearly 80 percent of voters gave the OK to continue collecting a 1-percent sales tax to pay for school renovations, technology upgrades, and new buses.

Fulton County Sheriff: Sheriff Ted Jackson and Richard Lankford, a former sheriff who once struck a deal with the U.S. attorney not to work in law enforcement again, earned the most votes in a crowded race and will head to a runoff.

Fulton County Solicitor General: Keith Gammage and Clint Rucker will face off in a July 26 runoff for the important position that prosecutes misdemeanors.

House District 59: Lawyer David Dreyer and Janine Brown, a former labor leader, are heading to a runoff to represent the district that stretches from southeast Atlanta to Hapeville.

House District 91: Vernon Jones, the flamboyant politico who’s lost several campaigns since leaving the DeKalb County CEO’s office, is heading to a runoff against Rhonda Taylor.

Senate District 21: State Sen. Brandon Beach, R-Alpharetta, snagged 58 percent of the votes to fend off Aaron Barlow, who tried to unseat the challenger over his support for MARTA. It didn’t work.

DeKalb County CEO: Mike Thurmond, a former state labor commissioner and DeKalb Schools superintendent, emerged victorious from a three-way Democratic primary for the county’s top seat. He faces Republican Jack Lovelace in November.

DeKalb County District Attorney: Incumbent Robert James, the county’s chief prosecutor, lost to DeKalb Solicitor General Sherry Boston.

Cobb County Chairman: In one of the evening’s most surprising upsets, challenger Mike Boyce garnered more votes than Chairman Tim Lee, forcing the incumbent to a runoff. Maybe people are unhappy about that new Atlanta Braves stadium after all.