Eric Gisler announces candidacy for state house in surprise special election

UPDATE (11/3/25): The special election to replace Wiedower will take place on December 9. Qualifying ends on November 10.

State Representative Marcus Wiedower (R – District 121) has suddenly resigned, setting up a special election in December that could help swing the political balance of power in Georgia statewide.

A date has not yet been set for the December special election, but Democrat Eric Gisler has already announced his candidacy. Gisler has been campaigning for months for the regularly scheduled 2026 election, giving him a huge head start in the special election over whichever Republican decides to jump in. Given the incredibly short timeline of the race and the high motivation level of the Democratic base in the age of Trump, Gisler could well pull off a victory even in this Republican-majority district. That would give Athens a Democratic representative in the state house to help long-time Representative Spencer Frye for the first time since 2018, when Democrats Deborah Gonzalez and Jonathan Wallace took office after a special election in similar circumstances.

Gisler’s campaign has issued a statement on the surprise developments:

“Eric Gisler confirmed today that he will be running for the Georgia House of Representatives seat in District 121 in the special election to be held in December.

‘Our community deserves a representative who listens, works across divides, and focuses on solutions that make life better for everyone,’ Gisler said. ‘Our district and the state of Georgia face an important choice about the future in this special election.’

The current representative in District 121, Republican Marcus Wiedower, announced overnight that he will be stepping down as the district’s representative, effective immediately, to concentrate on his work as vice president of external affairs at the real estate development company Hillpointe.

Gisler, who was born in Georgia and is a University of Georgia graduate, is a product manager and small business owner in Oconee County. He ran against Wiedower for the District 121 seat in the Georgia House in 2024. ‘I am proud to step up again to fight for the interests of the people of District 121. I’m running to ensure that Georgia’s economy remains strong, and that every Georgian has access to affordable healthcare, strong public schools and a fair shot at a decent life.’

Gisler noted that the state of Georgia under its current leadership has built $15 billion in financial reserves, even as more and more Georgians are being left behind because of massive cuts to federal programs, growing job insecurity, and soaring grocery, housing and utility costs.

‘I have always respected State Representative Wiedower’s long service and commitment to our community, and I wish him the very best in his future endeavors,’ Gisler said. ‘But I disagree with the direction his party has taken in recent years. At this critical time of uncertainty and hardship for so many Georgians, with even more cuts to jobs and programs looming, it is time for us to find new directions and new leadership.'”

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