Macon Mayor Robert Reichert beat former Mayor Jack Ellis in a runoff election Tuesday. The race was close with Reichert getting just 51 percent of ballots cast. With no Republican on the November ballot Reichert will serve a second term in office. The runoff election also included a race for Senate District 26.

State Republicans handling redistricting rejected alternative district maps presented by Democrats late Tuesday. That's even though the Democratic maps would have kept Republican strongholds, and maintained that party's wide majority.

The state is moving forward to satisfy part of the national healthcare reform act. A panel voted to begin creating an online exchange Tuesday. The exchange is an online resource that would help people without health insurance get a good deal on coverage.

US Congressman Jack Kingston is closely watching the once-a-decade redistricting turf war in the state capital. The Savannah Republican wants to keep his Valdosta constituency. Valdosta is home to Moody Air Force Base. Kingston also represents Fort Stewart, Hunter Army Airfield and the King Bay Naval Submarine Base.

A major commuter rail project that would involve a quarter of the state’s transportation districts—is on life support. The proposed Atlanta-to-Griffin-to-middle Georgia line might not go before voters next year.