Arlene Nelson

In 1984, Nelson announced that she would challenge State Senator Howard Peterson for re-election in the 35th district, which was based in Hall County.^[2] During the campaign, Nelson attacked Peterson for opposing the impeachment of state Attorney General Paul L. Douglas but abstaining on the impeachment resolution, arguing that Peterson was "playing politics."^[3] In the primary election, Nelson placed first over Peterson in a landslide, receiving 62 percent of the vote to his 38 percent,^[4] which observers suggested was because of Peterson's rhetoric during the impeachment debate and for seeing things "in absolutes" in the Senate.^[5] In the general election, Nelson defeated Peterson by a wide margin, winning 56–44 percent.^[4][6]

Nelson ran for re-election in 1988,^[7] and was challenged by Hall County Supervisor Gary Quandt.^[8] In the primary election, Nelson received 60 percent of the vote to Quandt's 40 percent.^[9] In the general election, she defeated Quandt in a landslide, winning 60–40 percent.^[9]

In 1992, Nelson ran for re-election to a third term.^[10] She was challenged by businessmen Bill Bremer and Dan Fisher.^[11] In the primary election, Nelson placed first, receiving 43 percent of the vote to Fisher's 32 percent and Bremer's 25 percent.^[12] Nelson and Fisher advanced to the general election,^[13] where Fisher defeated Nelson by a wide margin, winning 59 percent of the vote to her 41 percent.^[12]

Nelson died on August 22, 2017.^[14]