ATLANTA — Georgia voters made history Tuesday night by electing Penny Brown Reynolds as the state’s first Black female secretary of state.

Reynolds, who brings decades of experience as a judge, described the election results as a remarkable moment for Georgia during an interview with Atlanta’s Morning News.

“It’s extraordinary! It really is. I’ve never seen anything like this before and it’s refreshing because this is what I think democracy is supposed to be about,” Reynolds said.

As she prepares to take office, Reynolds said she hopes to reduce political divisions and represent all Georgians, regardless of their political beliefs.

“I would really like to see healing in our country and in Georgia. Not turning on our neighbors; I never made my opponent my enemy and I’d like to bring that kind of regard, character, and integrity to the office,” Reynolds said.

The secretary of state-elect also praised outgoing Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger for resisting President Donald Trump’s efforts to find additional votes following the 2020 presidential election.

Reynolds credited Raffensperger with “doing the right thing in the right moment” and emphasized the importance of integrity in the office.

Looking ahead, Reynolds said she wants to assess the office’s operations while drawing on her judicial experience.

“Well I want to get in there and see what’s going on and be fair about that. I think the wonderful thing about being a judge is that I don’t bring a lot of politics with me,” Reynolds said.

Reynolds also expressed hope that Americans can move beyond political disagreements and find common ground.

“No matter what we have done, the divisiveness that we think is there, this is still America and people can still believe and have hope that there is enough room for all of us,” Reynolds said.

Reflecting on her own journey, Reynolds said her election demonstrates the opportunities available in the United States.

“I love America, and I think we need to get back to that. Because only in America, the granddaughter of a farmer and a working mother, could aspire to one of the highest offices in Georgia.”

WSB Radio’s Ashley Simmons & Graham Carroll contributed to this story.