In an Upset, Democrats Oust Two Republicans on Georgia’s Utility Board

In an upset, Democrats ousted two Republican members of Georgia’s utility board on Tuesday, according to preliminary results from the secretary of state’s office.

The closely watched races for two of the five seats on the Georgia Public Service Commission had been viewed not only as a referendum on rising electric bills but also as a bellwether for next year’s contests for governor and U.S. Senate.

Since 2007, no Democrat has served on the commission, whose members have six-year terms. But the two Democratic candidates tapped into anger over rising electric bills at a time when prices have risen sharply across the country. Over the last two years, the commission has approved six rate increases for Georgia Power, the state’s largest electric provider.

The obscure but powerful commission