The career of one of Middle Georgia’s longest-serving politicians is over — at least for now.

Paris took 55.9 percent of the vote, well ahead of Lucas’ 44.1 percent.

In front of a crowd of about 60 supporters at her real estate office in downtown Macon, Paris was introduced by her father, Javors Lucas, as “the next senator for this state.”

“First, I want to thank everyone,” Paris told the crowd. “Everyone gathered, to all my supporters, it’s been a great night.”

Lucas had a sizeable group of supporters at his campaign office on Cotton Avenue. He said the race came down to Republican support for Paris, noting the heavy disparity in favor of his opponent from predominantly white precincts in Bibb County.

“The race was never about the issues,” Lucas said. “It was about the tea party Republicans. Look at the Republican precincts. They voted against David Lucas. It’s about having an ‘R’ in front of your name.”

Macon.com – Paris, 51, said she has always been a Democrat.

“It was a great night for District 26, it was a great night for women and it was a great night for Democrats,” Paris told supporters. “I’m here for all the people of District 26, whether you supported me or not.”

In fact, the election was a nonpartisan race to replace Brown. Brown resigned his Senate seat earlier this year to run in the Macon mayoral election, where he finished a distant third to Mayor Robert Reichert and former Mayor C. Jack Ellis in July.

Lucas subsequently resigned as a state representative to run for Brown’s seat. Paris, who briefly toyed with the idea of running for mayor, soon announced her own candidacy for Senate.

Paris said she faced a huge task in challenging Lucas.

“I was up against (essentially) an incumbent of almost four decades,” she said. “But we stayed steady and we stayed on point. I think people were ready for a change. That’s the sentiment across the country, and it’s the sentiment here.”

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