ATLANTA — A Republican incumbent on the Georgia Public Service Commission announced Tuesday that she will not stand for reelection, just months after two Democrats ejected two GOP incumbents with decisive electoral victories.
Tricia Pridemore, appointed in 2018 and up for reelection this year, announced on social media that she was considering a run for Congress rather than for another term on the agency that regulates monopoly utilities such as Georgia Power.
“This decision comes after deep reflection and with profound gratitude for the honor of serving our great state,” she said in her statement.
Pridemore voted in December with the rest of the five-member PSC to approve a controversial 10 gigawatt expansion for Georgia Power, mostly to serve anticipated demand from data centers.
Among the other four members who voted with Pridemore were Republicans Tim Echols and Fitz Johnson. The pair had lost their seats in November to Democrats Alicia Johnson and Peter Hubbard, who powered their way to upset victories by channeling frustration over the cost of living.
Both Republicans had voted in recent years to approve a series of utility rate increases that hit voters’ in the pocketbook.
When the two new Democrats succeeded the two outgoing Republicans last month, the GOP was left with a one-vote margin. Pridemore’s decision to stand down, leaves the future balance of power uncertain.
The commissioners must live within their PSC district, but they each stand for election statewide.
Pridemore said she was considering a run for the northwest metro Atlanta U.S. House seat held by Rep. Barry Loudermilk, a Republican who recently announced that he will not be running for reelection.