REPUBLICANS DOMINATE GWINNETT

Republicans have dominated Gwinnett County politics for more than a generation. Here’s a look at how they took control of the Board of Commissioners in Georgia’s second-largest county. 1980: Democrats had controlled the County Commission for as long as anyone could remember. But Republican Ronald Reagan wins Gwinnett County over home-state Democrat Jimmy Carter in the presidential election. 1983: In a special election, Norcross businessman Scott Ferguson becomes the first Republican elected to the County Commission. Democrats still hold a 4-1 edge. 1984: Republicans capture three more seats — including the chairman’s post — giving the party a 4-1 majority. 1986: Republican Don Loggins defeats the commission’s last Democrat, Bartow Jenkins. The GOP has held all five commission seats ever since. 1990: Democrats field candidates in both commission seats up for election, but lose both races. They won’t bother to challenge Republicans for every seat again for 20 years. 2010: Democrats challenge Republicans for two open commission seats, but lose both races. The U.S. Census Bureau confirms Gwinnett has become a minoritymajority county – with more black residents, Hispanics and other minorities than white people. The minority population has continued to grow, and some political observers say the county eventually will tilt back to the Democrats. 2016: Three Democrats are running against Republican incumbents — the first time in six years the Democrats have fielded a full slate of candidates.