A Runoff in Georgia House District 129

    Kip Smith, the son of Vance Smith who previously held the seat before becoming commissioner of the Georgia Department of Transportation in June, received 45.5 percent of the vote Tuesday with 98% of the precincts reporting.  Smith, the managing partner in a commercial management company, needed 50% plus one vote to avoid a runoff.  He will face Pine Mountain businessman Steve Earles who received 22% of the vote.  The runoff will be held on December 1.  Among the other contenders for the house seat, Earl Davis got 15% of the vote and Jerry Luquire received just over 13%.  Voters in southern Troup, most of Harris, and four precincts in northern Muscogee County participated in the special election.  The winner of the runoff will serve the one year remaining on Vance Smith’s two-year term.  The seat will come up for reelection again next year.