Marshall wins 8th District

Jim Marshall is heading back to Congress to represent Middle Georgia. The Macon Democrat won a resounding victory over his Republican opponent.
Supporter's at Marshall's victory celebration were able to go home much earlier this time. Back in 2006 Marshall barely won against challenger, Mac Collins. The race was too close to call on the night of the election. But, last night Republican Rick Goddard called him to concede shortly after 10:00pm.
Marshall refers to his race against Collins as "dreadful." The Republican Party pumped in 5-million dollars and began running ads months before the election.

"This time around we didn't have that kind of bombardment, and that alleviated an awful lot of the stress."

Marshall also enjoys wide support from many conservative groups like the NRA. He beat Goddard by 14-percentage points and will be serving his fourth term in office.

Marshall offers support for Obama

Over the last several months of his campaign, 8th District Congressman, Jim Marshall has remained quiet on the Presidential race.
But in a recent debate he had kind words for Presidential candidate, Barack Obama.
Middle Georgia Democratic Congressman Jim Marshall has never publicly endorsed Barack Obama. In fact he did not attend the Democratic convention despite being a super delegate.
In a debate Sunday night against challenger Rick Goddard he stopped short of endorsing Obama, but did have kind words for him.

"I do think he is qualified to be President of the United States, and I think if he is elected he will be a very good President of the United States, and I intend to do everything I possibly can if he is President of the United States to help him be the best possible president."

Marshall went on to say that he felt McCain is qualified as well. The 8th District is considered to be conservative. Last time Marshall won by less than 2-thousand votes. This year he faces stiff opposition from Republican challenger Rick Goddard.

8th District poll shows close race

Just one week before the election a new poll finds candidates in the 8th District locked in a very tight race. The Survey USA poll, conducted for Washington, D.C. newspaper, Roll Call, finds Congressman Jim Marshall leading Republican challenger, Rick Goddard by just four percentage points. The 8th District is considered to be conservative. In the same poll John McCain leads Barack Obama by 16 points. The poll looked at 700 registered voters. Most of them already cast their ballots. African-American voters could be crucial for a Marshall victory. The three term congressman leads strongly among them, and the 8th District is one-third African-American. In 2006 Marshall beat his Republican challenger by less than 2-thousand votes.

Survey USA poll:
http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=09f8180d-a6c3-4047-8bfe-c8e8e2d149bf

Newt Gingrich stumps for Rick Goddard in Macon

Former Georgia Congressman and House Speaker, Newt Gingrich traveled to Macon to show his support for Republican Congressional candidate, Rick Goddard.
Gingrich told a room filled with Goddard supporters the Democrats are likely to gain seats in the House and Senate during the upcoming election. He says Senator John McCain is in a very deep hole against Senator Barack Obama and that people are unhappy with President George Bush.
Goddard is running in the 8th Congressional District against Congressman Jim Marshall, a Democrat from Macon who is serving his third term in office.

Marshall voter reaction

On Monday Congress failed to pass a 700-billion dollar rescue plan for Wall Street. Just two Georgia Congressman, both Democrats, voted in favor of the measure. One is in the midst of a reelection campaign.

Macon Congressman, Jim Marshall told a group of Georgia Democrats he is willing to give up his seat over the plan designed to shore up the nation's ailing mortgage industry. Marshall says he hopes the predicted, resulting damage can be avoided and that lawmakers can get back together and salvage the proposal.

Dr. Lori Johnson is a political science professor at Mercer University in Macon. She says constituents in Marshall's 8th District could react badly to his vote.

"It's a fine line he walks between the Democrats and the Republicans and I think this is an example where when it comes to conservative Republican voters in Middle Georgia, they're not going to be pleased by this vote."

Marshall faces a tight election against Republican Rick Goddard for his seat. In 2006 Marshall won with just fifty-one percent of the vote.

Marshall votes yes on failed bailout package

Of Georgia’s 13 House members that voted Monday on the massive 700-billion dollar bailout plan, only two cast 'yes' votes--Democrats Sanford Bishop and Jim Marshall. Marshall, representing 21 mostly rural counties in the 8th district, was quoted as telling some colleagues he was willing to lose his seat over his stand. He told NPR why he had to back the bailout plan.

"I don’t want to help out one wit the irresponsible people who have dragged us into this...whether it's the borrowers, or the lenders, or the investors or the Wall Street crowd. I don't care who they are. But this is something that's going to affect our overall economy and an awful lot of people I represent in the 8th district in a very bad way. So although it's very unpopular, I've got to take a different view and take my licks if that's what I get".

Marshall is in a tough re-election fight as a Democrat in the mainly conservative 8th district.

Challenger for long-time Congressman

Middle Georgia Congressman Jim Marshall has a challenger. The Macon Telegraph reports teacher Robert Nowak plans to challenge Marshall in the Democratic primary next year. Macon Mayor Jack Ellis announced last week he will make his own bid.

Macon's mayor may run for Congress

Macon Mayor, Jack Ellis, leaves office in December and now he's eying a seat in Congress.

Ellis has formed a committee so he can start raising money. He also plans to travel around the district to gauge support and talk with potential voters. He says the 8th District needs a "real" democrat.

He made those comments after Congressman Jim Marshall voted against expanding SCHIP, a government program that provides insurance to the working poor.

Ellis recently stirred controversy when he sent a letter of support to Venezuelan dictator, Hugo Chavez. Earlier in the year he converted to Islam and announced plans to change his name to Hakim Mansour Ellis.

If Ellis does run. it will be Marshall's first challenge by a fellow democrat since taking office. Republican Rick Goddard will be running as well.