North Fulton’s Josh McLaurin Wins Georgia Lieutenant Governor’s Race

Josh McLaurin, the state senator whose district includes parts of North Fulton, has won Georgia’s lieutenant governor’s race, moving from a local legislative seat to the office that presides over the state Senate.

The Sandy Springs Democrat defeated Republican state Sen. Greg Dolezal in Tuesday’s election. WABE reported the Associated Press race call Tuesday night. McLaurin will succeed Republican Burt Jones; returns remain unofficial pending certification.

His victory gives North Fulton a direct connection to one of the state’s highest offices. Senate District 14 includes portions of Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Roswell, Sandy Springs and Atlanta.

From the House to a statewide office

McLaurin served four years in the Georgia House before winning his Senate seat in 2022. He grew up in Cobb County, graduated from the University of Georgia and earned his law degree at Yale. His legal work has focused on business litigation and aviation law, according to his official legislative biography.

During the campaign, he emphasized affordability, housing and his ability to work with members of both parties. In a message after the election, he thanked voters and identified the cost of living, civil and human rights, and young people’s future among his priorities, WABE reported.

What the office can do

The lieutenant governor is the president of the Georgia Senate, an office elected statewide every four years. That places McLaurin at the center of the chamber’s proceedings when the next administration takes office.

The position can carry substantial influence over legislation, but winning it does not give him unilateral control of the Senate. Senators determine important parts of the office’s authority through their rules, and bills still need legislative support.

For North Fulton residents, the issues he takes into the job are familiar ones: housing costs, public services and the affordability of living in the communities he has represented. Whether his proposals advance will depend on the bills lawmakers introduce, the budget they approve and the coalitions he can build.

McLaurin’s win accompanies Keisha Lance Bottoms’ victory in the governor’s race. The two offices are elected separately, and each brings a different role in shaping the state’s next legislative agenda.