ATLANTA — Democrat Josh McLaurin has won Georgia’s race for lieutenant governor, defeating Republican Greg Dolezal and flipping one of the state’s top elected offices.
The Associated Press called the race for McLaurin Tuesday night. At the time of the call, McLaurin had about 56% of the vote with approximately 86% counted.
McLaurin, a state senator and attorney from Sandy Springs, will succeed Republican Lt. Gov. Burt Jones.
The victory represents a significant political shift in Georgia. McLaurin will become the first Democrat elected lieutenant governor of the state since 2002.
As lieutenant governor, McLaurin will preside over the Georgia State Senate and have significant influence over the legislative agenda at the State Capitol.
From Cobb County to statewide office
McLaurin, 38, is from Cobb County and lives in Sandy Springs. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Georgia before earning his law degree from Yale.
Before entering politics, McLaurin worked as an attorney, including serving as acting general counsel for ExpressJet Airlines and as a law clerk for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit.
His political career began in 2018 when voters elected him to Georgia House District 51. He served in the House from 2019 through 2022 before winning election to the Georgia Senate, where he has represented District 14 since 2023.
McLaurin entered the lieutenant governor’s race in 2025. He advanced from a crowded Democratic primary this spring before winning the Democratic nomination in a June runoff against Nabilah Islam Parkes.
He then faced Dolezal, a Republican state senator from Cumming, in Tuesday’s general election.
During the campaign, McLaurin emphasized expanding Medicaid, increasing funding for public education and giving local governments more control over zoning decisions involving industrial facilities.
Connection to Vice President JD Vance
McLaurin also gained national attention because of his connection to Vice President JD Vance. The two were roommates while attending Yale Law School.
In 2022, McLaurin released private messages from 2016 in which Vance was sharply critical of Donald Trump.
Now, McLaurin moves from representing a north metro Atlanta Senate district to holding Georgia’s second-highest statewide office.
©2026 Cox Media Group
