Georgia's 1st Congressional District

Georgia's 1st Congressional District

Incumbent

Earl Carter

Assumed office: January 3, 2015

Georgia's 1st Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives is represented by Earl Carter (R).

As of the 2020 Census, Georgia representatives represented an average of 766,091 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 694,826 residents.

Elections

2024

See also: Georgia's 1st Congressional District election, 2024

Georgia's 1st Congressional District election, 2024 (May 21 Democratic primary)

Georgia's 1st Congressional District election, 2024 (May 21 Republican primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Georgia District 1

Incumbent Earl Carter defeated Patti Hewitt in the general election for U.S. House Georgia District 1 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Earl Carter (R)	62.0	220,576
		Patti Hewitt (D)	38.0	135,281

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 355,857
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Nicholas Brookins (G)
• Joyce Marie Griggs (Independent)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Georgia District 1

Patti Hewitt advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Georgia District 1 on May 21, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Patti Hewitt	100.0	25,082

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 25,082
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Joseph Palimeno (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Georgia District 1

Incumbent Earl Carter advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Georgia District 1 on May 21, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Earl Carter	100.0	51,629

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 51,629
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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2022

See also: Georgia's 1st Congressional District election, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. House Georgia District 1

Incumbent Earl Carter defeated Wade Herring in the general election for U.S. House Georgia District 1 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Earl Carter (R)	59.1	156,128
		Wade Herring (D)	40.9	107,837

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 263,965
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• George Litchfield (Conservative Party)

Democratic primary runoff election

Democratic primary runoff for U.S. House Georgia District 1

Wade Herring defeated Joyce Marie Griggs in the Democratic primary runoff for U.S. House Georgia District 1 on June 21, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Wade Herring	61.9	12,880
		Joyce Marie Griggs	38.1	7,918

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 20,798
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Georgia District 1

Joyce Marie Griggs and Wade Herring advanced to a runoff. They defeated Michelle Munroe in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Georgia District 1 on May 24, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Joyce Marie Griggs	48.6	21,891
✔		Wade Herring	38.0	17,118
		Michelle Munroe	13.4	6,043

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 45,052
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Joseph Palimeno (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Georgia District 1

Incumbent Earl Carter advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Georgia District 1 on May 24, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Earl Carter	100.0	80,757

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 80,757
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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2020

See also: Georgia's 1st Congressional District election, 2020

General election

General election for U.S. House Georgia District 1

Incumbent Earl Carter defeated Joyce Marie Griggs in the general election for U.S. House Georgia District 1 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Earl Carter (R)	58.3	189,457
		Joyce Marie Griggs (D)	41.7	135,238

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 324,695
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary runoff election

Democratic primary runoff for U.S. House Georgia District 1

Joyce Marie Griggs defeated Lisa Ring in the Democratic primary runoff for U.S. House Georgia District 1 on August 11, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Joyce Marie Griggs	55.9	15,958
		Lisa Ring	44.1	12,594

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 28,552
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Georgia District 1

Lisa Ring and Joyce Marie Griggs advanced to a runoff. They defeated Barbara Seidman in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Georgia District 1 on June 9, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Lisa Ring	46.0	28,916
✔		Joyce Marie Griggs	40.7	25,593
		Barbara Seidman	13.3	8,337

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 62,846
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Georgia District 1

Incumbent Earl Carter defeated Daniel Merritt and Ken Yasger in the Republican primary for U.S. House Georgia District 1 on June 9, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Earl Carter	82.2	65,907
		Daniel Merritt	16.4	13,154
	Submit photo	Ken Yasger	1.4	1,153

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 80,214
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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2018

See also: Georgia's 1st Congressional District election, 2018

General election

General election for U.S. House Georgia District 1

Incumbent Earl Carter defeated Lisa Ring in the general election for U.S. House Georgia District 1 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Earl Carter (R)	57.7	144,741
		Lisa Ring (D)	42.3	105,942

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 250,683 (100.00% precincts reporting)
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Georgia District 1

Lisa Ring defeated Barbara Seidman in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Georgia District 1 on May 22, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Lisa Ring	67.5	20,543
		Barbara Seidman	32.5	9,871

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 30,414
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Steve Jarvis (D)
• Adam Bridges (D)
• Rick Jaworski (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Georgia District 1

Incumbent Earl Carter advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Georgia District 1 on May 22, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Earl Carter	100.0	35,552

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 35,552
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2016

See also: Georgia's 1st Congressional District election, 2016

Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Republican. Incumbent Earl "Buddy" Carter (R) defeated Nathan Russo (Write-in) in the general election on November 8, 2016. No Democrats filed to run.

U.S. House, Georgia District 1 General Election, 2016

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Earl "Buddy" Carter Incumbent	99.6%	210,243
	Write-in	Nathan Russo	0.4%	869
Total Votes				211,112
Source: Georgia Secretary of State

2014

See also: Georgia's 1st Congressional District elections, 2014

The 1st Congressional District of Georgia held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Earl "Buddy" Carter (R) defeated Brian Reese (D) in the general election.

U.S. House, Georgia District 1 General Election, 2014

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Earl "Buddy" Carter	60.91%	95,337
	Democratic	Brian Reese	39.09%	61,175
Total Votes				156,512
Source: Georgia Secretary of State

General election candidates

• Earl "Buddy" Carter
• Brian Reese

July 22, 2014, Republican primary runoff candidates

• Earl "Buddy" Carter - State Senatora
• Bob Johnson

July 22, 2014, Democratic primary runoff candidates

• Amy Tavio
• Brian Reesea

May 20, 2014, primary results

Republican Primary

• Earl Martin
• Earl "Buddy" Carter: State Senatora
• Darwin Carter: Businessman
• Jeff Chapman: Former state Senator
• Bob Johnson: Surgeon and former Army Rangera
• John McCallum: Former aide for Newt Gingrich

Democratic Primary

• Brian Reesea
• Marc Smith
• Amy Tavioa

Withdrew prior to primary

• Lesli Messinger: 2012 1st District candidate
• David Schwarz: Former Rep. Jack Kingston staffer

2012

See also: Georgia's 1st Congressional District elections, 2012

The 1st Congressional District of Georgia held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 6, 2012. Incumbent Jack Kingston won re-election in the district.

U.S. House, Georgia District 1 General Election, 2012

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Jack Kingston Incumbent	63%	157,181
	Democratic	Lesli Messinger	37%	92,399
Total Votes				249,580
Source: Georgia Secretary of State "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election"

2010
On November 2, 2010, Jack Kingston won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Oscar L. Harris II (D) in the general election.

U.S. House, Georgia District 1 General Election, 2010
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Jack Kingston incumbent	71.6%	117,270
	Democratic	Oscar L. Harris II	28.4%	46,449
Total Votes				163,719

2008
On November 4, 2008, Jack Kingston won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Bill Gillespie (D) in the general election.

U.S. House, Georgia District 1 General Election, 2008
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Jack Kingston incumbent	66.5%	165,890
	Democratic	Bill Gillespie	33.5%	83,444
Total Votes				249,334

2006
On November 7, 2006, Jack Kingston won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Jim Nelson (D) in the general election.

U.S. House, Georgia District 1 General Election, 2006
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Jack Kingston incumbent	68.5%	94,961
	Democratic	Jim Nelson	31.5%	43,668
Total Votes				138,629

2004
Kingston ran unopposed for re-election in 2004.

2002
On November 5, 2002, Jack Kingston won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Don Smart (D) in the general election.

U.S. House, Georgia District 1 General Election, 2002
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Jack Kingston incumbent	72.1%	103,661
	Democratic	Don Smart	27.9%	40,026
Total Votes				143,687

2000
On November 7, 2000, Jack Kingston won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Joyce Marie Griggs (D) in the general election.

U.S. House, Georgia District 1 General Election, 2000
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Jack Kingston incumbent	69.1%	131,684
	Democratic	Joyce Marie Griggs	30.9%	58,776
Total Votes				190,460

Redistricting

2020-2023

See also: Redistricting in Georgia after the 2020 census

On December 8, 2023, Governor Brian Kemp (R) signed revised congressional maps into law. Legislators in the Georgia House of Representatives voted 98-71 to adopt the new congressional map on December 7. The Georgia State Senate voted 32-22 to adopt the congressional map on December 5.

On October 26, 2023, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia ruled that the state's congressional and legislative district boundaries violated the Voting Rights Act and enjoined the state from using them for future elections. The court directed the Georgia General Assembly to develop new maps by December 8, 2023.

On December 28, 2023, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District upheld the maps enacted on December 8, which were later used in the 2024 elections, and found them in compliance with the Voting Rights Act.

“

The Court finds that the General Assembly fully complied with this Court’s order requiring the creation of a majority-Black congressional district in the region of the State where vote dilution was found. The Court further finds that the elimination of 2021 CD 7 did not violate the October 26, 2023 Order. Finally, the Court declines to adjudicate Plaintiffs’ new Section 2 claim based on a coalition of minority voters. Hence, the Court OVERRULES Plaintiffs’ objections ... and HEREBY APPROVES SB 3EX.

”

The district court's approval of remedial state legislative maps was appealed to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Oral argument was held on January 23, 2025.

How does redistricting in Georgia work? In Georgia, both congressional and state legislative district lines are drawn by the state legislature. A simple majority in each chamber is required to approve redistricting plans, which are subject to veto by the governor.

The Georgia Constitution requires that state legislative districts be contiguous. There are no similar requirements for congressional districts.

Below are the congressional maps in effect before and after the 2020 redistricting cycle. The map on the right was in effect for Georgia’s 2024 congressional elections.

Georgia District 1
before 2020 redistricting cycle

Click a district to compare boundaries.

Georgia District 1
after 2020 redistricting cycle

Click a district to compare boundaries.

2010-2011

This is the 1st Congressional District of Georgia after the 2001 redistricting process.

See also: Redistricting in Georgia after the 2010 census

In 2011, the Georgia State Legislature re-drew the congressional districts based on updated population information from the 2010 census.

On August 22, 2011, Georgia's Republican leadership released their proposed Congressional redistricting map. Due to population growth, Georgia gained a 14th Congressional district following the 2010 census. The new district, according to the plan, is located in the northwestern part of the state. Rep. Tom Graves (R) was drawn into the new district, which left 9th District seat open in 2012. After redistricting, the 9th District leaned Republican. In addition, the plan displaced Rep. John Barrow (D), but Barrow (who had been displaced before) moved into the district in order to remain in the 12th District. Rep. Sanford Bishop's (D) district will become a majority-minority district. Also, Rep. Phil Gingrey's (R) 11th District picked up part of Atlanta. Overall, the plan was expected to bolster the Republican majority in the state's congressional delegation.

District analysis

See also: The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index

See also: FiveThirtyEight's elasticity scores

2026

Heading into the 2026 elections, based on results from the 2024 and 2020 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district is R+8. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 8 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made Georgia's 1st the 159th most Republican district nationally.

2024

Heading into the 2024 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was R+9. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 9 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made Georgia's 1st the 153rd most Republican district nationally.

Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Donald Trump (R) would have defeated Joe Biden (D) 56.0%-42.6%.

2022

Heading into the 2022 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was R+9. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 9 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made Georgia's 1st the 151st most Republican district nationally.

Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Joe Biden (D) would have received 42.6% of the vote in this district and Donald Trump (R) would have received 56.0%.

2018

Heading into the 2018 elections, based on results from the 2016 and 2012 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was R+9. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 9 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made Georgia's 1st Congressional District the 152nd most Republican nationally.

FiveThirtyEight's September 2018 elasticity score for states and congressional districts measured "how sensitive it is to changes in the national political environment." This district's elasticity score was 0.87. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 0.87 points toward that party.

See also

• Redistricting in Georgia
• Georgia's 1st Congressional District election, 2024
• Georgia's 1st Congressional District election, 2022
• Georgia's 1st Congressional District election, 2020
• Georgia's 1st Congressional District election, 2018

External links

• GovTrack District 1

Footnotes

[show]

Georgia's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Jon Ossoff (D)

Raphael Warnock (D)

Representatives

District 1

Earl Carter (R)

District 2

Sanford Bishop (D)

District 3

Brian Jack (R)

District 4

Hank Johnson (D)

District 5

Nikema Williams (D)

District 6

Lucy McBath (D)

District 7

Rich McCormick (R)

District 8

Austin Scott (R)

District 9

Andrew Clyde (R)

District 10

Mike Collins (R)

District 11

Barry Loudermilk (R)

District 12

Rick Allen (R)

District 13

David Scott (D)

District 14

Marjorie Greene (R)

Republican Party (9)

Democratic Party (7)