Former Trion Mayor Lanny Thomas, a Republican,  and John Bentley “Jack” Zibluk, a Democrat,  are headed to an April 7 runoff election in the race for Georgia State Senate District 53 after no candidate won a majority in Tuesday’s special election.

Results from across the five-county district — Chattooga, Walker, Dade, Catoosa and Floyd counties — show Thomas finishing first and Zibluk finishing second, earning the two spots in the runoff.

Former Chattooga County Commissioner, Republican Blake Eslberry,  finished third in the race, while Denise Pierce Burns placed fourth.

The outcome is significant because the totals reflect the full district, not just one county. While local county returns helped shape the early picture on election night, the final runoff field was determined by the combined vote across all five counties in Senate District 53.

Under Georgia law, a candidate must receive more than 50 percent of the vote to win outright. Because no one crossed that threshold, the race now moves to a head-to-head runoff between Thomas, a Republican, and Zibluk, a Democrat.

The 53rd Senate District includes voters in Chattooga, Walker, Dade, Catoosa and Floyd counties, making it an important Northwest Georgia seat in the state legislature.

The winner of the April 7 runoff will fill the vacant seat in the Georgia State Senate.