Janice Van Ness edged out Tonya Anderson to win the Georgia State Senate District 43 seat Tuesday night.

With provisional votes yet to come in, Van Ness received 50.6 percent of the vote, thanks in large part to carrying her home county of Rockdale.

“It is an honor to have the opportunity to represent the people of Senate District 43,” Van Ness said. “I want to personally thank each and every one that took the time to vote. I look forward to serving all of the citizens of the district.”

Van Ness received 2,748 of the 4,450 votes in Rockdale (61.7 percent), where she once served as a county commissioner.
Tonya Anderson, the Democrat candidate, received her biggest advantage in DeKalb County, 1023-93 (91.7 percent), but couldn’t overcome Van Ness’ Rockdale edge.

There were a total of 7,641 votes cast, with 3,864 going to Van Ness, who was the leading vote getter in the general election on Nov. 3.

Newton voted for Anderson by a count of 1,052-1,025 (50.67 percent).