Georgia House of Representatives District 7
Georgia House of Representatives District 7 is represented by Johnny Chastain (R).
As of the 2020 Census, Georgia state representatives represented an average of 59,585 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 54,042 residents.
About the chamber
Members of the Georgia House of Representatives serve two-year terms and are not subject to term limits. Georgia legislators assume office the second Monday in January.
Qualifications
Paragraph 3 of Section 2 of Article 3 of the Georgia Constitution states, "At the time of their election, the members of the House of Representatives shall be citizens of the United States, shall be at least 21 years of age, shall have been citizens of this state for at least two years, and shall have been legal residents of the territory embraced within the district from which elected for at least one year."[1]
GA Code § 21-2-8 states that an individual cannot hold public office if they are "not a qualified voter entitled to vote."[2]
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2024[3] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $24,341.64/year | $247/day |
Vacancies
If there is a vacancy in the Georgia General Assembly, the vacant seat must be filled by a special election. If the vacancy occurs during a legislative session, the governor must declare a special election no later than 10 days after the vacancy happens. If the vacancy occurs after the regular legislative session held during the first year of the term of office for members, the governor may order a special election at any time but no later than 60 days before the November general election. If the vacancy occurs between 60 days before the November general election and the next legislative session, the governor is required to order a special election within 10 days.[4]
The special election must be held no less than 30 days and no later than 60 days after the governor calls for the election. The counties representing the vacant district are responsible for conducting the election.[4]
See sources: Georgia Code § 21-2-544
District map
Redistricting
- See also: Redistricting in Georgia
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.[5]
The Georgia Constitution requires that state legislative districts be contiguous. There are no similar requirements for congressional districts.[5][6]
2020-2023
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.[7]
Governor Kemp (R) signed revised legislative maps into law on December 8, 2023. Legislators in the Georgia House of Representatives voted 98-71 to adopt the new state legislative maps on December 5. The Georgia State Senate voted 32-23 to adopt the state legislative maps on December 1. For more information about the enacted legislative maps, click here.[8][9]
Below are the maps in effect before and after the 2020 redistricting cycle. The map on the right was in effect for Georgia’s 2024 state legislative elections.
Georgia House of Representatives District 7
before 2020 redistricting cycle
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Georgia House of Representatives District 7
after 2020 redistricting cycle
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Elections
2024
See also: Georgia House of Representatives elections, 2024
General election
General election for Georgia House of Representatives District 7
Incumbent Johnny Chastain won election in the general election for Georgia House of Representatives District 7 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Johnny Chastain (R) | 100.0 | 32,125 |
| Total votes: 32,125 | |||
 = 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. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Georgia House of Representatives District 7
Incumbent Johnny Chastain advanced from the Republican primary for Georgia House of Representatives District 7 on May 21, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Johnny Chastain | 100.0 | 8,956 |
| Total votes: 8,956 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
2023
A special election for Georgia House of Representatives District 7 was called for January 3, 2023. A runoff took place on January 31, 2023. The candidate filing deadline was December 7, 2022.[10]
The seat became vacant after the death of Georgia House Speaker David Ralston (R) on November 16, 2022.[11]
General runoff election
Special general runoff election for Georgia House of Representatives District 7
Johnny Chastain defeated Sheree Ralston in the special general runoff election for Georgia House of Representatives District 7 on January 31, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Johnny Chastain (R) | 52.8 | 4,565 |
| Sheree Ralston (R) | 47.2 | 4,085 | ||
| Total votes: 8,650 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
General election
Special general election for Georgia House of Representatives District 7
Sheree Ralston and Johnny Chastain advanced to a runoff. They defeated Justin Heitman, Brian Pritchard, and Richie Stone in the special general election for Georgia House of Representatives District 7 on January 3, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Sheree Ralston (R) | 45.0 | 3,582 | |
| ✔ | | Johnny Chastain (R) | 39.3 | 3,125 |
| Justin Heitman (R) | 7.4 | 590 | ||
| Brian Pritchard (R) | 6.2 | 490 | ||
 | Richie Stone (R) | 2.1 | 169 | |
| Total votes: 7,956 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
2022
General election
General election for Georgia House of Representatives District 7
Incumbent David Ralston won election in the general election for Georgia House of Representatives District 7 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | David Ralston (R) | 100.0 | 24,886 |
| Total votes: 24,886 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Georgia House of Representatives District 7
Incumbent David Ralston advanced from the Republican primary for Georgia House of Representatives District 7 on May 24, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | David Ralston | 100.0 | 12,931 |
| Total votes: 12,931 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
2020
General election
General election for Georgia House of Representatives District 7
Incumbent David Ralston defeated Rick Day in the general election for Georgia House of Representatives District 7 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | David Ralston (R) | 83.7 | 27,074 |
 | Rick Day (D) | 16.3 | 5,255 | |
| Total votes: 32,329 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Georgia House of Representatives District 7
Rick Day advanced from the Democratic primary for Georgia House of Representatives District 7 on June 9, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Rick Day | 100.0 | 2,193 |
| Total votes: 2,193 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Georgia House of Representatives District 7
Incumbent David Ralston advanced from the Republican primary for Georgia House of Representatives District 7 on June 9, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | David Ralston | 100.0 | 12,916 |
| Total votes: 12,916 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
2018
General election
General election for Georgia House of Representatives District 7
Incumbent David Ralston defeated Rick Day in the general election for Georgia House of Representatives District 7 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | David Ralston (R) | 84.3 | 21,058 |
| Rick Day (D) | 15.7 | 3,909 | |
| Total votes: 24,967 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Georgia House of Representatives District 7
Rick Day advanced from the Democratic primary for Georgia House of Representatives District 7 on May 22, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Rick Day | 100.0 | 937 |
| Total votes: 937 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Georgia House of Representatives District 7
Incumbent David Ralston defeated Margaret Williamson in the Republican primary for Georgia House of Representatives District 7 on May 22, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | David Ralston | 74.1 | 5,755 |
| Margaret Williamson | 25.9 | 2,012 | ||
| Total votes: 7,767 | |||
| = 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
Elections for the Georgia House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on May 24, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was March 11, 2016.
Incumbent David Ralston ran unopposed in the Georgia House of Representatives District 7 general election.[12][13]
| Georgia House of Representatives, District 7 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  David Ralston Incumbent (unopposed) |
100.00% | 21,666 | |
| Total Votes | 21,666 | |||
| Source: Georgia Secretary of State | ||||
Incumbent David Ralston defeated Sam Snider in the Georgia House of Representatives District 7 Republican primary.[14][15]
| Georgia House of Representatives, District 7 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | David Ralston Incumbent |
66.04% | 6,560 | |
| Republican | Sam Snider | 33.96% | 3,374 | |
| Total Votes | 9,934 | |||
2014
Elections for the Georgia House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on May 20, 2014, with runoff elections taking place where necessary on July 22, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 7, 2014. Incumbent David E. Ralston defeated S.L. "Sam" Snider in the Republican primary and was unchallenged in the general election.[16][17][18]
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
|
David Ralston Incumbent |
64.8% | 5,887 |
| S.L. "Sam" Snider | 35.2% | 3,203 |
| Total Votes | 9,090 | |
2012
Elections for the office of Georgia House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on July 31, 2012, and a general election on November 6, 2012. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was May 25, 2012. Incumbent David Ralston (R) was unopposed in both the general election and Republican primary.[19][20]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | David Ralston Incumbent |
100% | 18,545 | |
| Total Votes | 18,545 | |||
Campaign contributions
From 2004 to 2024, candidates for Georgia House of Representatives District 7 raised a total of $7,508,189. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $341,281 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money
| Campaign contributions, Georgia House of Representatives District 7 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Amount | Candidates | Average |
| 2024 | $63,671 | 1 | $63,671 |
| 2023 | $306,900 | 5 | $61,380 |
| 2022 | $1,209,248 | 1 | $1,209,248 |
| 2020 | $1,206,099 | 2 | $603,050 |
| 2018 | $1,233,674 | 3 | $411,225 |
| 2016 | $843,321 | 2 | $421,661 |
| 2014 | $1,028,626 | 2 | $514,313 |
| 2012 | $797,700 | 1 | $797,700 |
| 2010 | $509,505 | 1 | $509,505 |
| 2008 | $83,300 | 1 | $83,300 |
| 2006 | $85,584 | 1 | $85,584 |
| 2004 | $140,561 | 2 | $70,281 |
| Total | $7,508,189 | 22 | $341,281 |
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Justia, "Constitution of the State of Georgia," accessed May 21, 2025
- ↑ Justia, "GA Code § 21-2-8," accessed May 27, 2025
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 The State of Georgia, "Official Code of Georgia," accessed January 23, 2024 (Statute 21-2-544)
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 All About Redistricting, "Georgia," accessed April 23, 2015
- ↑ Georgia Constitution, "Article 3, Section 2," accessed April 23, 2015
- ↑ Democracy Docket, "11th Circuit Considers Fate of Georgia Maps in High-Stakes Redistricting Case," January 21, 2025
- ↑ Georgia General Assembly, "Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment Office - Proposed Plans," accessed December 11, 2023
- ↑ Twitter, "RedistrictNet," December 7, 2023
- ↑ Georgia Secretary of State, "CALL FOR SPECIAL ELECTION FOR STATE HOUSE, DISTRICT 7," accessed December 5, 2022
- ↑ New York Post, "Georgia House Speaker David Ralston dead at 68," November 17, 2022
- ↑ Georgia Secretary of State, "Qualifying Candidate Information," accessed August 17, 2016
- ↑ Georgia Secretary of State, "General Election results," accessed November 23, 2016
- ↑ Georgia Secretary of State, "Qualifying Candidate Information," accessed March 13, 2016
- ↑ Georgia Secretary of State, "General primary results," accessed May 24, 2016
- ↑ Georgia Secretary of State, "Official candidate list," accessed March 10, 2014
- ↑ Georgia Secretary of State, "GA - Election Results," accessed May 28, 2014
- ↑ Georgia Secretary of State, "GA - Election Results," accessed November 13, 2014
- ↑ Georgia Secretary of State, "Official 2012 Primary Results," accessed November 16, 2012
- ↑ Georgia Elections Division, "2012 Election Results" accessed November 16, 2012
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