Final 48 hours: Brown and McNeel make last push in Senate District 18 runoff

MACON, Ga. — With just two days until voters return to the polls, Democrat LeMario Brown and Republican Steven McNeel are in the final stretch of their campaign to represent Georgia’s Senate District 18.

The runoff election on Tuesday, Feb. 17, will determine who fills the seat left vacant when Republican John F. Kennedy resigned in December to focus on his lieutenant governor campaign. Polls will be open until 7 p.m. across the six-county district.

Both candidates described the race in urgent terms as they made their final appeals to voters.

“Fourth quarter, two-minute warning,” Brown said, using a football analogy to describe the campaign’s final hours. “We’re down to it now.”

McNeel’s campaign reported knocking on 2,000 doors since Jan. 20, with over 700 contacts made on Saturday alone with the help of volunteers.

“Hopefully, voters will see us in their neighborhood knocking doors with our team,” McNeel said when asked about his plans for the final two days. “We’re not gonna stop. Even with this rain, we should be able to get out this afternoon.”

The race comes at a pivotal time, with the winner joining the Georgia Senate mid-session. The legislative session began in January and will conclude in early April, meaning the victor will have limited time to make an impact before facing re-election later this year.

Brown, a Fort Valley city councilman, farmer and small business owner, led the Jan. 20 special election with 36.93% of the vote. McNeel, a Bibb County attorney, finished second with 21.29%, narrowly edging out former Forsyth Mayor Eric Wilson and three other Republican candidates who split the GOP vote.

Both candidates identified affordability as a top concern for District 18 voters, though they offered different approaches.

McNeel emphasized property tax relief, saying annual assessment increases have gone “way beyond reasonable” and are “hurting the pocketbooks of senior citizens and those on fixed incomes.” He suggested more local option sales taxes could replace revenue from lowered property taxes.

Brown said he wants to examine pending tax reform legislation carefully to understand its impact on rural counties like Peach, Monroe, Crawford, Upson, and Houston. He expressed concern that cuts to state subsidies could hurt local economies.

“Let’s see what it looks like for us,” Brown said. “We’re going to find out how can we lower the taxes, but also in a sensible way that we’re not robbing our next generation of the resources that they’re gonna need.”

When asked what differentiates him from McNeel, Brown emphasized his local roots and experience.

“I have that local experience,” Brown said. “I started here in Fort Valley on the city council, starting from the ground up.” 

He noted his work with the Georgia Municipal Association and service on state committees. 

“You’re sending someone with experience, but also someone that really has been rooted here in the community and understands the people here in District 18,” he said.

McNeel framed the choice in terms of party ideology, criticizing what he called “failed policies of the Democratic Party,” including higher taxes and regulations that he said would “stifle businesses.”

He emphasized his support for law and order and opposition to social policies like allowing transgender athletes in girls’ sports.

Brown highlighted healthcare access and broadband expansion as critical needs for rural communities in the district.

“One of the bigger issues we have here in a small community like Fort Valley, we don’t have hospitals,” Brown said. “The broadband is not too good. So we want to make sure we’re looking out for communities like Fort Valley and also all the other communities here in District 18.”

As a farmer himself, Brown expressed concerns about data center development near family farms. 

“When you’re talking about bringing these data centers in and locating them right next to farmers or family farms, I think that’s gonna be a detriment to the local farmers here in District 18,” he said. “We gotta be sensible about what we’re doing.”

McNeel mentioned working with Governor Kemp and the Senate Republican caucus on continuing to cut income taxes, fighting crime and addressing local concerns like speed traffic cameras, which he said should be subject to local referendums.

The race presents an uphill battle for Brown despite his first-round lead. District 18 voted for Donald Trump by 21 points in 2024, giving Republicans a structural advantage.

Brown’s strength lies in the district’s more urban and suburban areas. In the first round, he won 36.62% in Bibb County, 49.08% in Houston County, and over 54% in Peach County. McNeel will need to consolidate the Republican vote that was split five ways in January, when GOP candidates collectively earned about 64% of the vote.

Both candidates stressed the importance of voter turnout in the special election.

“I feel like it’s important for everybody to get out and do their civic duty,” Brown said. “We’ve had people die for people to go vote. So we want to make sure we continue to fight for that legacy where people have equal access to actually vote.”

McNeel echoed the sentiment.

“It’s important to have your voice heard and to be part of the civic process and to have somebody that you can vote for that represents your values in the Gold Dome,” he said.

The runoff covers all of Crawford, Monroe, Peach and Upson counties, plus portions of Bibb and Houston counties. Voters can find their polling location by checking the Georgia My Voter Page online or contacting their county elections office.

Absentee ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day, or if mailed, postmarked by Tuesday and received by Friday, Feb. 20.

Both candidates said they would continue door-knocking through Monday and Tuesday, weather permitting, making their final case to undecided voters.

“You have a solid guy going up to the state Capitol to represent you in Lamario Brown,” the candidate told voters in his closing pitch. “So get out and vote this Tuesday.”

McNeel’s message was equally direct: “Do whatever it takes to make Middle Georgia the best place to live, work and raise a family.”