Kemp Signs Bill Making Some Metro Atlanta Races Nonpartisan Amid Bipartisan Pushback

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed House Bill 369, a measure that changes elections for district attorneys, county commissioners, tax commissioners and certain other local offices in Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Cobb and Clayton counties from partisan to nonpartisan contests. The change is set to take effect for elections beginning in 2028. Before Kemp's signature, the bill drew opposition from some lawmakers across party lines; Democratic officials publicly called for a veto, and they were joined by some Republicans who also urged Kemp not to sign the legislation. Kemp signed the bill despite this bipartisan pushback, according to reporting from WABE. The reasons cited by opponents for their objections, as well as the specific arguments made by supporters of the bill, are not detailed in available reporting. It also remains unclear how many or which specific lawmakers from each party opposed the measure. Separate reporting from the Governor's office describes Kemp signing additional legislation related to workforce development, including a bill to codify the Georgia DREAMS Scholarship program, but this claim is sourced to a single outlet and has not been independently corroborated.