Tim Bearden (Republican) 58.87% – 4548 votes
Ashley Kecskes Godwin (Democrat) 17.18% – 1327 votes
Robert Smith (Republican) 12.80% – 989 votes
Renae Bell (Republican) 11.16% – 862 votes

story by Sue Horn

A total of 7726 voters participated in the February 13, 2024 Special Election for District 30 State Senate, giving Republican candidate Tim Bearden 4548 of those votes (58.87%) – an easy, clear win, negating a need for a run-off as his total surpassed the 50% plus-one vote threshold. 

Bearden is a past State Representative for District 68, resigning in 2011 to  accept a position as director of the Georgia Law Enforcement Training Center. He will begin serving as State Senator for the newly drawn District 30 when the Secretary of State certifies the results which is expected by Friday, February 16, 2024.

This short (40 days) four-county race with four candidates encompassed parts of Carroll, Douglas, Haralson, and Paulding counties.

There were three Republican candidates, Bearden, Renae Bell, and Robert Smith, and one Democrat candidate Ashley Kecskes Godwin.

Results were:

Tim Bearden (Republican) 58.87% – 4548 votes

Ashley Kecskes Godwin (Democrat) 17.18% – 1327 votes

Robert Smith (Republican) 12.80% – 989 votes

Renae Bell (Republican) 11.16% – 862 votes