Voters in Georgia’s State Senate District 35 found themselves back at the polls on November 18, 2025, as a crowded slate of candidates vied to fill a seat left vacant by Democrat Jason Esteves, who stepped down to focus on his campaign for governor. With portions of south Fulton, Douglasville, and Austell included in the district, the special election drew attention from across the state, especially given the timing and the issues at stake.
The vacancy, as reported by local outlets, was created when Esteves announced his gubernatorial ambitions, leaving his Senate seat up for grabs. The field was diverse—six candidates, each bringing unique professional backgrounds and priorities, hoping to sway voters with their vision for the district’s future. The candidates were Roger Bruce (Democrat), Jaha V. Howard (Democrat), Corenza Morris (Independent), Erica-Denise Solomon (Democrat), Josh Tolbert (Republican), and John D. Williams (Democrat).
As the polls closed and ballots were tallied, it became clear that none of the hopefuls would reach the 50-percent-plus-one-vote threshold required to win outright. This outcome, while perhaps frustrating for some, was not altogether surprising given the number of contenders and the range of issues on the table. According to the Georgia Secretary of State’s elections portal, Democrats Jaha Howard and Roger Bruce emerged as the top two finishers, setting the stage for a runoff election scheduled for December 16, 2025.
So, who are the candidates left standing? Roger Bruce is no stranger to Georgia politics. A longtime lawmaker, he represented House District 61 from 2003 through 2024. His legislative record is extensive, with particular emphasis on expanding voting rights, increasing fairness in minority business contracting, and strengthening community development. Bruce played a central role in the incorporation of the City of South Fulton—a point he highlighted frequently during his campaign. According to reporting from local outlets, Bruce has built his reputation on “expanding voting rights, increasing fairness in minority business contracting, and strengthening community development.”
Jaha V. Howard, meanwhile, brings a different kind of experience to the table. A pediatric dentist by trade and a former Cobb County Board of Education member, Howard’s campaign focused on supporting small businesses, lowering healthcare barriers, and expanding affordable housing options. His background in education and healthcare gave him a distinct voice in the crowded field. As noted in coverage by Georgia news sources, Howard’s priorities included “small business support, lowering healthcare barriers, and expanding affordable housing options.”
The rest of the field was no less impressive. Corenza Morris, running as an Independent, is a former police officer, Army National Guard veteran, and small business owner. His campaign zeroed in on job creation, reducing crime, and expanding economic opportunities for families and youth. Erica-Denise Solomon, a Democrat and former journalist, centered her platform on workforce training, infrastructure investments, small business growth, and affordable housing. Josh Tolbert, the lone Republican, is an engineer and small business owner who emphasized strengthening K–12 education, supporting entrepreneurs, and making housing more affordable for working families. Rounding out the list was John D. Williams, a Democrat, community mentor, and organizer, who prioritized expanding youth programs, addressing voter suppression, improving infrastructure, and fostering better relationships between law enforcement and neighborhoods.
The issues at stake in this special election were as varied as the candidates themselves. Infrastructure upgrades, youth mentorship, policing, small business growth, and affordable housing were all front and center. But the broader context—whoever wins will serve out the remainder of Esteves’s term and likely play a pivotal role in debates over education funding, economic development, voting rights, and criminal justice—gave the race added significance. As one local observer put it, “The eventual winner will complete the remainder of Esteves' term and likely play an influential role in legislative debates around education funding, economic development, voting rights, and criminal justice, issues that dominated this year's campaigns.”
With no clear majority, the race now heads to a runoff. This is not unusual in Georgia politics, where crowded fields often split the vote and force a second round of balloting. The runoff, scheduled for December 16, will pit Howard and Bruce—both Democrats—against each other in what promises to be a closely watched contest. The winner will not only fill Esteves’s seat but will also have a chance to shape policy on some of the most pressing issues facing the district and the state at large.
For voters in District 35, the choice is now between two candidates who, while sharing a party affiliation, offer distinct perspectives shaped by their backgrounds and priorities. Roger Bruce’s long tenure in state government and focus on legislative achievements stand in contrast to Jaha Howard’s emphasis on healthcare, education, and housing. The runoff will likely hinge on which candidate can best articulate a vision that resonates with voters’ concerns—a tall order, given the district’s diversity and the range of issues at play.
It’s worth noting the broader implications of this race for Georgia politics. Special elections, especially in off years, often serve as a barometer for shifting political winds. With Esteves aiming for the governor’s mansion, the outcome in District 35 could offer clues about voter sentiment heading into the next statewide election cycle. Moreover, the issues debated during this campaign—education, economic opportunity, criminal justice, and voting rights—mirror those playing out across Georgia and the nation.
As the runoff approaches, both Howard and Bruce will be working to shore up support, not just among their base but also among voters who backed other candidates in the initial round. The challenge will be to unite a district that, if this election is any indication, is far from monolithic in its priorities or its politics.
For now, all eyes are on December 16, when voters in District 35 will return to the polls to decide who will represent them in the Georgia State Senate. The outcome will determine not just the immediate future of the district, but perhaps the direction of policy debates in the state for years to come.
With the field narrowed and the stakes high, District 35’s special election runoff is shaping up to be a contest worth watching—one that could have ripple effects well beyond the boundaries of Fulton and Cobb counties.
