Tanya Miller makes history, becomes first female Georgia Attorney General

Georgia voters have made history by electing Tanya Miller as the state’s next attorney general, making her the first woman ever elected to the office.

The Associated Press projected Miller, a Democrat, as the winner over Republican state Sen. Brian Strickland Tuesday night.

Just before 11 p.m. on Tuesday, Miller had 55.4% of the vote to Strickland’s 44.6%, with an estimated 86.9% of the vote counted.

Miller’s victory breaks a barrier in Georgia politics. No woman has previously served as the state’s attorney general.

She will succeed Chris Carr, who did not seek another term after running for governor. The attorney general serves as Georgia’s chief legal officer, representing the state and its agencies in court and overseeing prosecutions involving crimes such as human trafficking, gangs, Medicaid fraud and public corruption.

From prosecutor to Georgia’s first female attorney general

Miller entered the race with more than two decades of legal experience. She previously worked as a federal prosecutor and with the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office, where she prosecuted homicide cases and other serious crimes.

She entered the Georgia General Assembly in 2023, representing House District 62, and went on to chair the House Democratic Caucus.

Miller overwhelmingly won the Democratic primary earlier this year, defeating former Georgia House Minority Leader Bob Trammell with nearly 85% of the vote.

In the general election, she faced Strickland, a Republican state senator who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee and was endorsed by Gov. Brian Kemp.

During the campaign, Miller emphasized public safety, consumer protection, and government accountability.

She has said combating violent crime, gangs, and human trafficking would be among her priorities, while also calling for stronger action against fraud and unfair business practices.

Her election not only puts a Democrat back in the attorney general’s office, but also adds a historic first to Georgia’s list of statewide elected officials.