Georgia Democrats had high hopes of tipping the balance on the state's highest court in February, when two candidates announced challenges to sitting justices during the May nonpartisan elections.
But despite $8 million in spending from the Democratic Party of Georgia and record early voter turnout where Democratic voters surpassed Republicans, both incumbent justices held their seats.
Presiding Justice Sarah Warren received nearly 60% of the vote, according to unofficial results from the secretary of state's office, while Justice Charlie Bethel finished with roughly 51%.
Former Democratic state Sen. Jen Jordan challenged Warren, while attorney Miracle Rankin ran against Bethel.
The results raise questions about the effectiveness of investing heavily in down-ballot judicial races and whether such efforts can succeed even with favorable turnout conditions.
Jordan, who previously represented parts of Buckhead and Sandy Springs in the state Senate, ran on reproductive rights and democracy issues.