Georgia State Sen. John F. Kennedy announced his resignation from the state legislature to run for lieutenant governor of Georgia on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, launching a special election to fill his vacant District 18 seat.
Kennedy, who graduated from Mercer with a bachelor’s degree in 1987 and earned his juris doctor from Mercer’s Walter F. George School of Law, served in the General Assembly as a senator since 2014. The district includes parts of west Bibb county and all of Crawford, Houston, Monroe, Peach and Upson county.
Kennedy joined the lieutenant governor race in early June, but state law prohibits senators from holding multiple state offices at the same time. Six candidates are currently running to fill his seat, including five Republicans and one Democrat. Among them are former Republican state Rep. Lauren Daniel, former Forsyth mayor Eric Wilson and the lone Democrat, Fort Valley Mayor pro tempore LeMario Brown.
Turnout for the election, according to results posted by the Macon-Bibb County Board of Elections as of Jan. 10, has been low. Through 11 days of early voting, less than 900 Maconites have cast ballots. Thomas Gillon, supervisor of the Macon-Bibb County Board of Elections, said that while the race “is not as publicized as some of the others,” he believes there is still reason to pay attention to this election.
“Every election gives registered voters their opportunity to have a say in how government works, and I think every election should be treated as important,” Gillon said.
Bibb County residents can cast early ballots through Jan. 16 at the Board of Elections office at the Macon Mall. Residents of other counties in District 18 can vote early at their respective county’s board of elections location. The final day to cast a vote is Jan. 20.
To participate in this special election, voters must be registered residents of District 18. To find out if your area falls in this category, visit Georgia’s My Voter Page.
Precious Clark '26 is a Law & Public Policy major with a minor in Political Science. She works at the circulation desk in Tarver Library and Auxiliary Services. When she is not writing for The Mercer Cluster, she enjoys reading, drawing and listening to Tame Impala.
