Republican Ben Watson, the incumbent state senator from Savannah, has beat Democratic challenger Corey Foreman, a U.S. Army veteran and NAACP member, to retain his Ga-1 seat representing parts of Chatham, Bryan and Liberty counties.
The seat, held by Watson since 2014, appeared competitive as of Election Day, with almost half of early voters leaning Democrat. Unofficial totals after polls closed on Election Day showed Watson winning 52% to 48%
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Watson, a physician, is part of Coastal Georgia political royalty. He’s the uncle of newly elected Congressman Jim Kingston and considered a close ally of outgoing Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp.
Kemp supporters like Dereall Joyner voted Republican all down the ballot Tuesday to help keep the Republican governor’s legacy alive after he steps down at the end of the year. “Since Kemp’s out we gotta find out if somebody can take his spot. That’s basically it,” Joyner said.
Watson considers himself an old-school Republican who votes for common sense policies. He told The Current GA this fall that he considered Zell Miller to be one of his moral guides when it comes to politics, citing his support for the Hope Scholarship. “That’s been a big, really positive influence on our university system and for the citizens of the state of Georgia,” he said.
Foreman came to prominence in early 2026 as a Richmond Hill community organizer who helped defeat a proposal by an Oklahoma company to build a nickel refinery amidst the growing suburban communities in south Bryan County.
Watson, along with neighbor Jesse Petrea — who represents House District 166 —and Rep. Buddy DeLoach — who represents House District 167 — were among the few Coastal Georgia Republican state legislators running in competitive races to keep their seats. Incumbents Ron Stephens from District 164 and Bill Hitchens from District 161 both lost to Democratic challengers.
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