Eric Gisler

Who: Eric Gisler

What: Georgia State House District 121

Where: South Athens and Watkinsville; Clarke and Oconee counties

Emboldened by their statewide success this past November, Georgia Democrats are gearing up for the December 9 special election to fill vacant seats in the state house. The open seat in District 121 is yet another opportunity to keep Peach State voters engaged heading into the crucial 2026 Senate and gubernatorial races there.

Democrat Eric Gisler ran a year ago to represent this conservative-leaning district but was defeated by Republican Rep. Marcus Wiedower, who resigned in October to focus on his day job. Even though Gisler’s losing margin was substantial, he already planned to challenge Wiedower again in 2026, and the district has swung Democratic in the past. Eight years ago, in the first year of President Trump’s first term, a Democrat pulled off an upset in this district in a similar special election. Just as in 2017, Trump’s name will not be on the ballot.

Gisler works for an insurance tech startup and owns a small business. He supports rank-choice voting as a way to reduce political polarization and is reaching out to traditional Republican voters who are unhappy about cuts in SNAP benefits and health insurance subsidies. He opposes Wiedower’s vote to ban abortions after six weeks; he supports preserving voting rights and raising the minimum wage.

The Republican candidate is Mack “Dutch” Guest IV. He is president of LAD Truck Lines, a family business, and is focused on improving transportation, strengthening education and keeping communities safe.

Sources: Athens Politics Nerd, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Ballotpedia, Flagpole.com, Georgia Recorder, The Red & Black