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Georgia, State Senate, District 48

Georgia State Senate District 48
Current incumbentZahra Karinshak Democratic Party

Georgia's forty-eighth state senate district is represented by Democratic Senator Zahra Karinshak.

Georgia state senators represent an average of 172,994 residents. After the 2000 Census, each member represented 157,437 residents.

About the chamber

Members of the Georgia State Senate serve two-year terms and are not subject to term limits. Georgia legislators assume office the second Monday in January.

Qualifications

According to the Georgia Constitution, Georgia Senators must be at least 25 years old, American citizens, Georgia citizens for at least two years and a resident of his or her Senatorial District for at least one year immediately preceding election.

Salaries

State legislators
SalaryPer diem
$17,342/year$173/day, set by the Legislative Services Committee.

Vacancies

If there is a vacancy in the senate, the vacant seat must be filled by a special election. The Governor must declare a special election no later than 10 days after the vacancy happened. The election must be held no less than 30 days and no later than 60 days after the Governor calls for the election. The counties representing the vacant district are responsible for conducting the election.

Elections

2020

Elections for the office of Georgia State Senate will take place in 2020. The general election will be held on November 3, 2020. A primary is scheduled for May 19, 2020, and a primary runoff is scheduled for July 21, 2020. A runoff election is scheduled for December 1, 2020. The filing deadline is March 6, 2020.

2018

General election
General election for Georgia State Senate District 48

Zahra Karinshak (D) defeated Matt Reeves (R) in the general election for Georgia State Senate District 48 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Zahra Karinshak (D)
53.6
35,440

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Matt Reeves (R)
46.4
30,710

Total votes: 66,150
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Georgia State Senate District 48

Zahra Karinshak advanced from the Democratic primary for Georgia State Senate District 48 on May 22, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Zahra Karinshak (D)
100
6,594

Total votes: 6,594
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Georgia State Senate District 48

Matt Reeves advanced from the Republican primary for Georgia State Senate District 48 on May 22, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Matt Reeves (R)
100
6,233

Total votes: 6,233

2016

Elections for the Georgia State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on May 24, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was March 11, 2016.

Incumbent David Shafer ran unopposed in the Georgia State Senate District 48 general election.

Georgia State Senate, District 48 General Election, 2016

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Green check mark transparent.png David Shafer Incumbent (unopposed) 100.00% 51,546
Total Votes 51,546
Source: Georgia Secretary of State


Incumbent David Shafer ran unopposed in the Georgia State Senate District 48 Republican primary.

Georgia State Senate, District 48 Republican Primary, 2016

Party Candidate
Republican Green check mark transparent.png David Shafer Incumbent (unopposed)

2014

Elections for the Georgia State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on May 20, 2014 with a runoff election taking place where necessary on July 22, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 7, 2014. David J. Shafer was unopposed in the Republican primary and was unchallenged in the general election. Richard A. "Rick" Underwood (D) filed to run but did not appear on the official primary returns.

2012

Elections for the office of Georgia State Senate consisted of a primary election on July 31, 2012, and a general election on November 6, 2012. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was May 25, 2012. Incumbent David Shafer (R) was unopposed in both the general election and Republican primary. A total of $312,999 was raised by 2012 candidates in the district, with Shafer raising all $312,999.

Georgia State Senate, District 48, General Election, 2012

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Green check mark transparent.pngDavid Shafer Incumbent 100% 45,004
Total Votes 45,004

Campaign contributions

From 2002 to 2016, candidates for Georgia State Senate District 48 raised a total of $2,618,439. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $261,844 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, Georgia State Senate District 48

Year Amount Candidates Average
2016 $508,500 1 $508,500
2014 $528,383 1 $528,383
2012 $312,999 1 $312,999
2010 $162,190 1 $162,190
2008 $305,565 1 $305,565
2006 $263,727 1 $263,727
2004 $270,530 1 $270,530
2002 $147,832 1 $147,832
2000 $118,713 2 $59,357
Total $2,618,439 10 $261,844