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.

12th District debate gets testy

Sparks flew in a debate yesterday as the two Democrats seeking to represent the Twelfth Congressional district met in a televised debate. In a debate broadcast on GPB radio and television, the Democratic challenger to Congressman John Barrow, Savannah State Senator Regina Thomas, launched into the incumbent over veterans affairs, wiretapping and other hot-botton issues. Thomas accused Barrow of dragging his feet on reducing gas prices.

Thomas said, "Being in Congress for four years and still talking about what you're going to do, it already should have been done. I think we need to be honest to the American people, we need to tell them exactly what's happening, that the big oil companies and their executives are getting all the money, that we're being gouged."

The candidates disagreed over offshore oil drilling. Thomas said it wouldn't help to reduce gas prices much or soon, while Barrow said he voted for the measure. Thomas called herself the "true Democrat" in the race, while Barrow characterized his approach in Congress as one open to working with both Republicans and Democrats.

Barrow said, "In my time in Congress, I've earned a reputation for getting things done by working with folks on both sides of the isle and all sides of an issue to find solutions to the problems of the people of this country. I've taken this approach because I genuinely believe that that's what this country needs and I know it's what the people of this district want."

The Democratic debate was followed by a milder Republican face-off, with three GOP contenders on-stage. John Stone of Augusta and Savannahians Ray McKinney and Ben Crystal didn't stray far from the tax-reducing mantra. Whoever wins the GOP primary will face either Thomas or Barrow. Both party primaries are on July 15th. If no one wins more than 50% on the Republican side, there'll be a run-off on August 5th.

Candidates spar in 12th Congressional district debate

Democratic candidates for the 12th Congressional district race sparred last night in a televised debate. State Senator Regina Thomas is challenging John Barrow, a two-term incumbent in the 12th. The Democrats’ debate was followed by that of the three Republicans looking to earn the GOP nomination in the July 15th primary. John Stone of Augusta, Ray McKinney from Savannah, and Ben Crystal--a former talk show host are vying for the nomination.

Obama supporting Barrow in state race

Presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama is throwing his support behind Georgia congressman John Barrow in his race against a state lawmaker.

Experts say Obama’s support could prove crucial for Barrow, a white incumbent from Savannah, who is running against black legislator, state Sen. Regina Thomas.

Black voters are a solid majority in the 12th Congressional District, which includes large portions of Savannah and Augusta.

Obama will soon begin airing his first TV ad in the state since clinching his party’s nomination.

The spot, which will also run 17 other states is a biographical sketch called, “Country I Love.”

Georgia has voted heavily Republican in recent years. The GOP believes the state will give its 15 electoral votes to John McCain, the GOP nominee in waiting, in November.

Click here for more GPB News coverage of the July 15th state race, and here for the presidential elections: http://gpbelectionnews.blogspot.com/

12th Congressional District race adds a name

There is another hat into the ring for the race in Georgia’s 12th Congressional District. Former Savannah talk-radio host Ben Crystal will enter his name to challenge Democratic US Representative John Barrow. Crystal on the radio was known as touting conservative politics. He was fired in 2006 after settling a lawsuit after an accusation of slander. John Stone of Augusta and Ray McKinney of Savannah are also in the 12th district race. The 12th District includes much of Savannah and Augusta as well as a large swath of rural eastern Georgia. Primary elections are July 15th.