David Adelman has never lost an election.  In his first try for elective office, David prevailed in a three-person Democratic Primary which included a former DeKalb County District Attorney without the need for a run-off. He went on to win the General Election with more than 60 percent of the vote. In 2002, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution endorsed David and described him as “a candidate with vision and depth.”

After a judicial redistricting changed the boundaries of Senate District 42, in the 2004 Democratic Primary David prevailed with more than 73% of the vote. In that election, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution again endorsed him calling him one of the “brainiest” members of the Senate and urging voters to “rush to send him back” to the state Senate.

David received more than 78% of the vote in the 2004 General Election, winning every precinct in his district.  In that contest, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution endorsed David calling him of of the "brightest lights" in the Georgia Senate.  Also in 2004 David was elected by his colleagues in the Senate as Democratic Whip, making him the second highest ranking Democrat in the Senate in only his second term.