Georgia primary wrapup

A glance at some of the races of interest and results from around the state Tuesday:

Conservative Democrat Vernon Jones ended on top of the five-man U.S. Senate primary. Jones garnered 40-percent of the vote to 2nd-place finisher Jim Martin’s 34-percent. The two will face-off in the runoff in three weeks.

From the 10th district Republican primary, Congressman Paul Broun of Athens topped state representative Barry Fleming by a margin of more than 2-to-1.

In the 12th district Democratic primary, John Barrow rolled to victory over state Senator Regina Thomas of Savannah. Barrow picked up 76-percent of the vote. He will face Republican John Stone in November.

The first primary challenge in 16 years for longtime Atlanta congressman John Lewis was an easy win against a pair of challengers.

In central Georgia’s 8th congressional district, it was the easy win for representative Jim Marshall.

Voters in Banks, Barrow, and Jackson counties voted to oust the district attorney appointed by Governor Sonny Perdue in the Piedmont Circuit. Richard Bridgeman was appointed last August to replace Tim Madison, who eventually admitted guilt to stolen funds from the DA's office and is serving a six-year sentence. Voters in a runoff will now decide between two other Republican candidates.

For more on these races and other election news and results, please check-out our special website page: gpb.org/election

Primary elections underway in Georgia

The polls are open across the state as primary election races will be contested today. Voters can cast their ballots until 7pm tonight, and elections officials remind voters that they must present one of six approved forms of photo ID at the polls.

The major statewide race is the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate seat. Five candidates are battling, vying for the right to meet Saxby Chambliss in a November election tussle.

Other races of note include those in the 10th and 12th congressional districts. In the 10th, Paul Broun is getting the fierce challenge from well-funded Republican opponent Barry Fleming. In the 12th, the decision for voters is between John Barrow, aiming for a third term this fall, or challenger Regina Thomas. Also, for congressman John Lewis, he’s in his first primary fight in 16 years.

Schaefer Bows Out of Congressional Race

Demorest -- State senator Nancy Schaefer is withdrawing her bid to run for the 10^th Congressional District against incumbent and fellow Republican Dr. Paul Broun.

In a brief press release, Senator Schaefer said she has mixed emotions about withdrawing from the race for the 10^th District, but said the state of her husband’s health was more important.

According to the release, Schaefer's husband Bruce has been sick for some time from an undisclosed illness.

The release stated, “Nancy has been aware following several doctor’s visits, that to move forward with an active campaign at this critical time is unthinkable.”

The release goes on to say Schaefer intends to serve out the remainder of her term as a state senator which ends in December, but it made no mention of whether she intends to run for re-election to the 50^th District.

Qualifying for state and federal offices begins Monday, April 28 at 9 a.m. and runs through Friday, May 2, 2008 at noon.

Republican money shifts to Fleming

Republican money in the 10th Congressional District is again lining up against newly elected GOP Representative Paul Broun of Athens. Broun was a surprise winner in the July election to succeed the late Charlie Norwood in Congress. Fundraising reports show he had less than $35,000 in the bank this quarter. In contrast is state Representative Barry Fleming, a Republican challenger from Harlem who raised $273,000 in September alone.

Recount likely in 10th Congressional District

The 10th district runoff election results appear headed for a recount. Out of Tuesday night, Athens doctor Paul Broun held a narrow lead over former state Senator Jim Whitehead of Evans. The margin was just under 400 votes, from a total of more than 46-thousand cast. It means the results are within the one-percent margin needed for the trailing candidate to be granted a recount if requested. Ballots from military, overseas, and provisional are still outstanding.

Voters to polls today in 10th district and Macon

The polls are open this morning in the cities and areas around Augusta, Athens, and Macon.

Augusta and Athens are included within the 10th Congressional district, where today’s runoff election will decide matters between Jim Whitehead and Paul Broun. The two Republicans are hoping to win the seat of the late Charlie Norwood.

In Macon, residents today will choose between seven mayoral candidates in primary voting. Five Democrats and two Republicans are in the mix. Winners from each party will face-off in November.

10th District to elect US Representative tomorrow

Tenth Congressional District residents head to the polls Tuesday to elect a replacement for late Congressman Charlie Norwood.

Two conservative Republicans are in this run-off: former State Senator Jim Whitehead of Evans, and physician Paul Broun of Athens. They beat out eight other candidates in June’s special election.

Athens-Clarke County Election Supervisor Gayle Schraeder is predicting an eight to 10 percent voter turnout. Columbia County Registration Coordinator Nancy Gay has a slightly more optimistic forecast.

"For the July 17th run-off, we’re predicting anywhere from 10 to 15 percent of the registered voters to come out and participate in the run-off."

The main campaign issues revolved around local politics. Whitehead said he would favor the Augusta area for any funding opportunities, while Broun said he would serve the entire district and not just the needs of his hometown, Athens.

Advance voting for 10th Congressional District election

Advance voting begins today for the 10th Congressional District runoff election. Voters will choose between Republicans Jim Whitehead of Evans, and Paul Broun of Athens. The runoff election is scheduled for July 17th, a week from tomorrow.

The election will fill the seat of the late Charlie Norwood, who died in February. The 10th district covers all or part of 21 counties in northeast Georgia.

Whitehead raised more money than Broun in 10th congressional

Financial disclosure statements in Georgia’s 10th congressional district show that Jim Whitehead has raised four times as much as his opponent Paul Broun.

Both candidates for the July 17th runoff in the north Georgia district are Republican. They are seeking to fill the seat left vacant by the death of Charlie Norwood.

Jim Whitehead, a tire salesman from the Augusta area has the endorsement of Norwood’s widow and is favored by Georgia’s GOP establishment. Since June 1st, he has raised over 188 thousand dollars. His opponent Paul Broun, a physician from suburban Athens, has raised just over 47 thousand dollars.

With little difference in ideology between the candidates, the race has grown into a regional competition between the districts largest cities, Athens vs. Augusta.

Whitehead did get twice as many votes as Broun in the June election, but not enough to avoid a runoff. Voter turnout in the middle of the July heat is expected to be very low. Political analysts say in such cases, the candidate with the most money for ads and flyers is likely to win.

10th District results certified-runoff official

It's official: Fellow Republicans Jim Whitehead and Paul Broun will face-off in a runoff election for the 10th Congressional District seat. State election officials certified the results from the special election. It showed Broun finished second in the balloting by 198 votes ahead of Democrat James Marlow. Officially, Whitehead drew 43.5 percent of the vote--Broun with 20.7 percent. The 10th district covers all or portions of 21 counties in northeast Georgia, and includes Augusta and Athens. The runoff election is set for July 17th.

Whitehead draws wide GOP support

Jim Whitehead has received the support of Republican party chairmen in nine counties from the 10th Congressional district. Whitehead is expected to face fellow Republican Paul Broun July 17th in the runoff-election for the district seat.

The GOP chairmen from the counties of Columbia, Elbert, Lincoln, Madison and McDuffie counties have said they are backing Whitehead, as well from Putnam, Richmond, Stephens and Towns counties.

The special election last week has not yet been certified. Only 187 votes separated Broun and James Marlow for second place in the balloting.

Runoff ahead for 10th Congressional District seat

The 10th Congressional district race is headed for a runoff. Tuesday's special election tallied 44-percent of the vote for Jim Whitehead, a former State Senator. The Republican will face either fellow Republican Paul Broun, or Democrat James Marlow. Those two candidates were separated by just over 100 votes. Broun finished on top, but there is likely to be a recount. The runoff election is set for July 17th. Officials said Tuesday's 10th District special election had a higher than expected turnout of 16-percent of the district's 340-thousand registered voters.


In the election to replace Whitehead in the District-24 Senate seat, that was won by William Jackson. He took victory with 63 percent of the vote, defeating three other candidates.

10th Congressional District voting today

Voters are going to the polls today for the special election in the 10th Congressional district-casting ballots for a replacement to Charlie Norwood, who died in February.

The district includes Athens and parts of Augusta, and has voted Republican for over a decade. For this election, it is a crowded field with ten candidates. If no candidate garners more than 50-percent of the vote, there would be a runoff for the top-two finishers-on July 17th. Officials expect light turnout, perhaps no more than 10 percent.

10th District candiates debate at GPB

Candidates for the 10th congressional district held a debate today in the studios of Georgia Public Broadcasting
Of the 10 candidates 9 showed up for the debate.

Once again Former Republican State Senator Jim Whitehead was not present. As one of 6 republicans in the field, he is considered the favorite of Georgia’s GOP establishment.

He is the only state lawmaker in the race When candidates got a chance to ask question off each other 2 of them Republican Bill Green and Democrat James Marlow directed them to the empty podium.

Whitehead has set out several debates including one by the Athens Press Club last week.
The 10th congressional district runs from Augusta to Towns County in North Georgia.

The election will be held next Tuesday to replace the seat left vacant by the late Charlie Norwood.

Other candidates who attended are Libertarian Jim Sendelbach, Democrats Evita Paschall and Denise Freeman as well as Republicans Paul Broun, Mark Myers, Erik Underwood and Nate Pulliam.

They discussed the war in Iraq, Immigration and Healthcare among other issues. The Debate was sponsored by the Atlanta Press Club.

It will broadcast on GPB television tonight at 7 pm

Early voting for 10th Congressional district

The early voting period begins today in the 10th Congressional District race, to replace the late Charlie Norwood. Voters can cast their ballot early this week, or wait until June 19th, next Tuesday, to choose the successor to Norwood. The field has 10 candidates-6 Republicans, 3 Democrats, and a Libertarian. There is one statewide televised debate ahead--that will be broadcast tomorrow night on GPB television.

Forum for candidates in 10th Congressional district race

Nine candidates for the 10th Congressional District seat were together on one stage in Athens last night for a forum discussion on an array of issues. The main topic of discussion among the candidates--the war in Iraq. The special election is a week from this Tuesday, on June 19th.

Debate tonight for 10th Congressional District

Candidates to replace the late northeast Georgia Congressman Charlie Norwood debate tonight in Augusta. The debate starts at 7PM at Augusta State University. A special election is scheduled for June 19th. Norwood passed away in February after a long battle with cancer.

10 candidates line up to replace Charlie Norwood

10 candidates will be on the ballot for northeast Georgia’s 10th District congressional district seat to replace the late Congressman Charlie Norwood. Secretary of State Karen Handel made the list official today. Six Republicans are running … Bill Greene, Paul Broun, Mark Meyers, Nate Pulliam, Jim Whitehead and Erik Underwood. Three Democrats are running … Denise Freeman, James Marlow, and Evita Paschall. One Libertarian is in the running … Jim Sendelbach. Congressman Charlie Norwood passed away in February after a long battle with cancer.