Alicia Johnson took her oaths at the Georgia Public Service Commission on Dec. 29 after winning a seat on the state board, which regulates utilities.
Johnson, a Democrat from Savannah, beat incumbent Tim Echols for the seat representing District 2 in the Public Service Commission in November.
The representative made history in several ways when she was sworn in – she is the first Black woman to serve on the Public Service Commission, the first female Democrat to serve on the commission and the first Black woman elected to a (non-judgeship) statewide executive office.
Before her PSC campaign, Johnson worked in advocacy, human services and healthcare. She and Peter Hubbard, who unseated incumbent Fitz Johnson in the district covering metro Atlanta, will be the first Democrats to serve on the PSC since 2007.
“For generations, many voices were excluded from the decisions that shaped our economy, our infrastructure and our daily lives, and today’s moment affirms that our democracy continues to move closer to its highest ideals, representation, accountability and service to all,” Johnson said.
Both she and Hubbard’s elections were big, blowout wins for Georgia Democrats — each sweeping their opponents by roughly 20 points.
The campaigns focused on rising public ire over the six electricity rate increases the PSC approved for Georgia Power in the last three years and their impact on affordability for Georgians, as well as on pushing for sustainability and renewable energy.
“This is a historic milestone for this commission, not because of who I am alone, but because of what it represents, a public service commission that should increasingly reflect the people it serves, and a public that demands transparency, fairness and a stronger consumer voice,” Johnson said.
Both commision members will begin their terms on Jan. 1.
This story is available through a news partnership with WABE, Atlanta’s National Public Radio affiliate.