Dr. Jaha Howard Wins Special Election for Georgia Senate District 35; 2026 Campaign Already Underway

Smyrna, GA – Dr. Jaha Howard is the newly elected State Senator for Georgia’s 35th Senate District, following a closely watched special election runoff on December 16, 2025. Howard, a pediatric dentist and former Cobb County Board of Education member, won the seat with approximately 51.9% of the vote over longtime former state representative Roger Bruce.

As the newly elected senator for District 35, Howard will serve in the 158th Georgia General Assembly and represent the needs and interests of his constituents during the upcoming legislative session.

Dr. Howard brings a background in education and healthcare to the General Assembly. He previously served on the Cobb County Board of Education and is a practicing dentist in the metro area. His campaign focused on issues including support for small businesses, expanded healthcare access, and educational investments.

The special election was called after State Senator Jason Esteves resigned in September 2025 to focus on his 2026 campaign for governor of Georgia. Howard will serve out the remainder of Esteves’ term in the Georgia Senate, representing parts of Cobb County and the City of South Fulton. Because this is a special election, Howard must run again in 2026 if he wishes to retain the District 35 seat for a full term, but he will have the advanatge of running as the incumbent for the seat.

Several potential candidates are already positioning themselves for the 2026 election cycle for the District 35 seat including William “Will” Boddie, Jr., a former member of the Georgia House of Representatives, representing District 62, where he held several leadership roles, including House Minority Whip. He has also been active in state-level politics. and was the 2022 Democratic nominee for Georgia Labor Commissioner. Boddie launched his campaign for Georgia Senate District 35 in early 2025. His campaign website and social media identify him as a candidate seeking to bring his legislative experience and community leadership to the State Senate.

With his initial term being a special election term, Howard is likely already building upon his campaign infrastructure for 2026.

About Senate District 35
Georgia’s 35th Senate District is part of the Metro Atlanta region and includes areas of southeastern Cobb County and western Fulton County, encompassing portions of South Fulton, Smyrna, Vinings, and nearby communities.

As the 2026 election cycle approaches, District 35 residents will have an early look at what could be a competitive contest. Voters can expect candidate forums, debates, and an active campaign season as the candidates outline their visions for the district, legislative priorities, and how they plan to address local and statewide challenges.