Early voting ends today for voters in Fulton and Cobb counties deciding who should complete the term of former state Sen. Jason Esteves, who resigned earlier this year to run for governor.
Six candidates are competing in the Tuesday, Nov. 18, special election for Senate District 35, a Democratic-leaning seat stretching from South Fulton to Smyrna. A runoff, if required, is set for Dec. 16. Find your polling place here.
The field includes retired state Rep. Roger Bruce, an Atlanta Democrat returning to politics less than a year after leaving the House. He faces former Cobb County school board member and frequent candidate Jaha V. Howard. Both cite concerns about affordability and public safety, though Bruce says he entered the race partly because the short window between Esteves’ resignation and the election leaves voters with “sound bites” instead of substance. Bruce told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution he likely wouldn’t pursue a full term in 2026 if elected.
Four newcomers are also seeking the seat. Democrats Erica-Denise Solomon, a South Fulton communications consultant, and John Williams, a longtime Cobb County community volunteer, emphasize mental health support in policing and continued civic service, respectively. Independent candidate Corenza Morris, a former College Park police officer and Smyrna business owner, says he hopes to represent the full district without party constraints. Republican Josh Tolbert, of Smyrna, argues the district needs more political competition, telling the AJC that unopposed candidates often “cater to only one side of the aisle.”
All candidates identified economic pressures and neighborhood safety as top concerns for voters in a district undergoing rapid growth and political change.
