Abrams wins Dem nomination; Kemp, Cagle head to runoff

ATLANTA — The race for Georgia’s next governor has now been narrowed to three as Georgia made history, nominating its first black female nominee by a major party for the position.

If Stacey Abrams wins the election in November, she would become the first black female governor in the United States. 

Abrams became a clear front-runner for the Democrats early in the evening Tuesday, defeating Stacey Evans to become the party's nominee.

[CLICK HERE for LIVE real-time election results]

On the GOP side, candidates Casey Cagle and Brian Kemp will face a July runoff as they continue their push to become the Republican nominee for governor.

Below is a minute-by-minute look at how the evening unfolded:

MINUTE-BY-MINUTE: 

WATCH LIVE: Channel 2 Action News has special Team 2 Coverage of the 2018 Georgia Primary:

10:48 p.m.: Brian Kemp is speaking to his supporters as he gets ready to head into a runoff with Casey Cagle:

10:34 p.m.: Casey Cagle thanks his supporters as he heads into runoff with Brian Kemp:

10:27 p.m.: Carroll County passes Sunday package sales by less than 100 votes.

10:20 p.m.: Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and Secretary of State Brian Kemp face a July runoff for GOP nomination for Georgia governor.

9:58 p.m.: Stacey Abrams speaks to her supporters:

9:43 p.m.: GOP sends out news release calling for Abrams to release her tax returns:

9:27 p.m.: If Stacey Abrams wins election, she would become first black female governor in U.S. history:

9:25 p.m.: AJC reporting that Stacey Evans has called Stacey Abrams to concede race:

9:11 p.m.:  House Speaker David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, appears to be surviving his GOP primary challenge by Margaret Williamson, 74 to 26 percent with 3,500 votes counted.

But state Rep. Matt Gurtler, R-Tiger, who was targeted by Ralston and even Gov. Nathan Deal, appears to be surviving the primary challenger they financed. Gurtler is leading Mickey Cummings, 58 to 42 percent.

9:04 p.m.: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams is claiming victory in primary:

8:57 p.m.: With about 6% of the vote in, Stacey Abrams, 69%, has a commanding lead over Stacey Evans, 31%, on the Democratic side of the governor's race.

Casey Cagle currently hold a large lead of 41% over his five competitors, with Brian Kemp being his closest rival, holding 27% of the vote.

8:40 p.m.: GOP gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp is addressing his supporters:

8:38 p.m.: GOP gubernatorial candidate Casey Cagle says he is in first place right now, and plans on staying there:

8:10 p.m.: Channel 2's Richard Elliot has an update from the Casey Cagle campaign headquarters.

7:54 p.m.: Channel 2's Sophia Choi says Hunter Hill is expected at his headquarters shortly:

7:51 p.m.: With 3 percent of the vote in, Brad Raffensperger leads David Belle Isle, 33 to 31 percent. Presumed favorite Josh McKoon is at 20 percent. Buzz Brockway at 16 percent.

7:38 p.m.: First results coming in for GOP side of governor's race:

7:27 p.m.: Very early results are starting to come in.

7 p.m.: Polls close across Georgia

Cox Media Group