The Latest: Voters turn against official over Braves stadium


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ATLANTA (AP) — The Latest on Georgia's runoff elections (all times local):

10:35 p.m.

A county chairman is paying at the polls for brokering the Atlanta Braves' move to the suburbs.

Unofficial returns posted by the Cobb County Board of Elections late Tuesday showed Tim Lee, the incumbent chairman of the Cobb County Commission, badly trailing challenger Mike Boyce with nearly all precincts reporting.

The Marietta Daily Journal reports (http://bit.ly/2avvqwT) that Lee conceded the race.

Lee was the Cobb official credited with engineering the deal to build the Braves a new stadium in suburban Cobb County. Boyce criticized the secrecy of negotiations between Lee and the Braves and argued bonds shouldn't have been issued in the deal without first being approved by voters.

Lee defended the deal, saying the new SunTrust Park will boost the local economy.

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10:10 p.m.

The last World War II veteran serving in the Georgia Legislature has lost his seat in a primary runoff election.

Republican Rep. John Yates of Griffin was defeated Tuesday night by GOP challenger Karen Mathiak, a Griffin chiropractor.

Yates had served in the Legislature for more than two decades. According to unofficial election returns, he's the third incumbent state lawmaker to lose his seat in runoffs Tuesday.

Mathiak will face Democrat Rahim Talley in November.

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9:55 p.m.

Several incumbent Georgia lawmakers are having a tough night in primary runoff elections.

Unofficial returns Tuesday night show two state House members have lost to challengers. Republican Rep. Tom Dickson of Cohutta was defeated by Chatsworth farmer Jason Ridley. And Democratic Rep. Darryl Jordan of Riverdale was narrowly beaten by school administrator Rhonda Burnough.

Meanwhile, GOP Rep. John Yates of Griffin was battling neck-and-neck with Griffin chiropractor Karen Mathiak.

And the leader of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus, Dee Dawkins-Haigler, finished a scant eight votes behind fellow Democrat Tonya Anderson in a state Senate race. That race will likely require a re-count of the votes.

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9:35 p.m.

Republican voters have chosen former West Point Mayor Drew Ferguson as their nominee to replace retiring GOP Rep. Lynn Westmoreland in the 3rd Congressional District.

Ferguson won a GOP primary runoff election Tuesday against state Sen. Mike Crane.

Ferguson was supported by five of his former opponents from the May primary as well as Westmoreland, who called Ferguson "a strong, conservative voice." Crane ran on his reputation as one of the Senate's most socially conservative members and campaigned Friday with Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.

Some sheriffs and police agencies lashed out at Crane after he forcefully criticized so-called "no knock" warrants that can allow police to launch raids without announcing themselves.

The runoff winner will face Democrat Angela Pendley in November. The district strongly favors Republicans.

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2:15 p.m.

Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp took to social media to urge residents to vote.

Kemp said in a video Tuesday on his official Facebook page that runoff elections are being held in 96 counties across Georgia.

Polls are open through 7 p.m. Tuesday in the runoffs following the May primaries.

Kemp said voters can find their polling places at the "My Voter Page" on the Secretary of State's website (https://www.mvp.sos.ga.gov ); or on the agency's free mobile app.

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7 a.m.

Polls are open across Georgia as voters head back to the ballot booth in several runoff elections following May's primaries.

Polls opened at 7 a.m. Tuesday, and will remain open through 7 p.m.

Tuesday's races include the Republican contest to succeed retiring Rep. Lynn Westmoreland in Congress. Either former West Point mayor Drew Ferguson or state Sen. Mike Crane will represent the GOP in November against Democrat Angela Pendley.

In metro Atlanta, voters will determine whether Cobb County commission chair Tim Lee keeps his post. Challenger Mike Boyce has criticized Lee's involvement in a deal bringing a new Atlanta Braves' baseball stadium to Cobb.

One Democrat and two Republican incumbents in the Georgia House also face challengers.

____

2 a.m.

Georgians head back to the polls in several runoff elections following May's primaries.

Tuesday's races include the Republican contest to succeed retiring Rep. Lynn Westmoreland in Congress. Either former West Point mayor Drew Ferguson or state Sen. Mike Crane will represent the GOP in November against Democrat Angela Pendley.

The race has become heated in recent weeks, including a focus on Crane's support for individuals' right to use firearms inside their home even if law enforcement enter using so-called "no knock warrants."

In metro Atlanta, voters will determine whether Cobb County commission chair Tim Lee keeps his post. Challenger Mike Boyce has criticized Lee's involvement in a deal bringing a new Atlanta Braves' baseball stadium to Cobb.

One Democrat and two Republican incumbents in the Georgia House also face challengers.

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