ATLANTA (AP) _ Republican Lauren "Bubba" McDonald has reclaimed a seat on the Public Service Commission.

He fended off a spirited challenge from Jim Powell in today's runoff -- striking a blow to Democrats seeking a foothold on the five-member panel.

With most precincts reporting, McDonald held a comfortable lead over Powell with about 56 percent of the vote.

It was a second helping of bad news for Democrats searching for a key statewide victory on a day when Democrat Jim Martin's effort to unseat Republican U.S. Saxby Chambliss fell short. The party had thrown its support behind the "two Jims," parading the candidates across the state.

McDonald's victory thwarted the Democratic Party's bid to muscle its way onto the commission, which regulates Georgia utilities and is firmly in GOP hands. All five members of the panel, along with outgoing commissioner Angela Speir, are Republicans.

Sara Doyle also claimed a victory over Mike Sheffield in her bid for an open seat on the Georgia Court of Appeals. Doyle carved out a narrow lead over Sheffield, grabbing about 52 percent of the vote.

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