McCain to Campaign for Chambliss

By the end of today, we should have official word confirming a run off for the US Senate seat will be needed. Neither Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss or his challenger, Democrat Jim Martin, have reached the fifty percent threshold to avoid a runoff.

But Republicans, still facing the prospect of losing a filibuster proof minority in the Senate, are taking no chances here in Georgia. According to the Chambliss campaign, John McCain will be stumping for his Republican colleague.

Chambliss endorsed McCain days before the February 5th primary, a race ultimately won by former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee.

Martin, for his part, has taken to the airwaves linking himself to President-Elect Barack Obama. Martin endorsed former North Carolina Senator John Edwards before the primary, even though Edwards had withdrawn from the race. That endorsement caused Martin some headaches during his primary runoff with Vernon Jones.

Georgia holds primary runoff election

It was the resounding victory for Jim Martin in the Democratic runoff for the U.S. Senate. Martin took 60-percent of the vote to 40-percent for Vernon Jones. Martin last night was already looking ahead to November’s general election fight against incumbent Saxby Chambliss, and the Republican’s war-chest of four-million dollars.

"It's not about money, that's what the voters are saying. They want people who are genuine...who are talking about their issues, and we're going to do that."

In other various runoff election results: The Democratic face-off for Chatham County district attorney--Larry Chisolm won with 66 percent to 34 percent over Jerry Rothschild. The Republican battle for D.A. of the Piedmont Circuit was taken by Brad Smith--56 to 43 percent over Donna Sikes.

For more election coverage, please check out our website, gpb.org, and check out the Georgia News page.

Latest statewide election results (Updated)

From the Secretary of State's Office:

Unofficial And Incomplete Results of the Tuesday, August 05,
2008 Primary Election Runoff

The results displayed are UNOFFICIAL AND INCOMPLETE until
certified by both county election superintendents and the
Secretary of State, a process that will not be completed until
the week of August 11.

Last Updated Wednesday, August 06, 2008 7:55:08 AM

United States Senator, Chambliss 97% of precincts reporting Republican Candidates Votes % of Votes No Candidates 0 0.0%
Democratic Candidates Votes % of Votes Jim Martin 188,331 59.8% Vernon Jones 126,577 40.2% Totals 314,908 County Results
State Senator, District 13 91% of precincts reporting Republican Candidates Votes % of Votes John Dickey Crosby 1,779 33.6% Wally Roberts 1,193 22.5% Rusty Simpson 1,115 21.0% Horace Hudgins 695 13.1% Bob Usry 515 9.7% Totals 5,297 County Results
Democratic Candidates Votes % of Votes No Candidates 0 0.0%
State Senator, District 44 95% of precincts reporting Republican Candidates Votes % of Votes No Candidates 0 0.0%
Democratic Candidates Votes % of Votes Gail Buckner 7,516 54.9% Gail Davenport 6,166 45.1% Totals 13,682 County Results
State Senator, District 50 96% of precincts reporting Republican Candidates Votes % of Votes Jim Butterworth 6,175 62.3% Nancy Schaefer 3,734 37.7% Totals 9,909 County Results
Democratic Candidates Votes % of Votes No Candidates 0 0.0%
State Representative, District 61 84% of precincts reporting Republican Candidates Votes % of Votes No Candidates 0 0.0%
Democratic Candidates Votes % of Votes Ralph Long, III 1,357 57.9% Keisha Waites 986 42.1% Totals 2,343 County Results
State Representative, District 91 95% of precincts reporting Republican Candidates Votes % of Votes No Candidates 0 0.0%
Democratic Candidates Votes % of Votes Rahn Mayo 2,795 55.2% Rita Robinzine 2,267 44.8% Totals 5,062 County Results
State Representative, District 93 100% of precincts reporting Republican Candidates Votes % of Votes No Candidates 0 0.0%
Democratic Candidates Votes % of Votes Dee Dawkins-Haigler 2,374 60.8% Malik Douglas 1,530 39.2% Totals 3,904 County Results
District Attorney, Clayton Circuit 98% of precincts reporting Republican Candidates Votes % of Votes No Candidates 0 0.0%
Democratic Candidates Votes % of Votes Tracy Graham-Lawson 15,148 60.7% Jewel Scott 9,825 39.3% Totals 24,973 County Results
District Attorney, Eastern Circuit 99% of precincts reporting Republican Candidates Votes % of Votes No Candidates 0 0.0%
Democratic Candidates Votes % of Votes Larry Chisolm 5,790 65.9% Jerry Rothschild 2,992 34.1% Totals 8,782 County Results
District Attorney, Piedmont Circuit 98% of precincts reporting Republican Candidates Votes % of Votes Brad Smith 5,502 56.6% Donna Sikes 4,219 43.4% Totals 9,721 County Results
Democratic Candidates Votes % of Votes No Candidates 0 0.0%

Polls close as Georgia chooses

Polls closed across Georgia Tuesday as voters selected which Democrat will take on Republican U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss in November.

DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer Vernon Jones is facing off against former state lawmaker Jim Martin in what has been bitter three-week runoff race.

Both candidates predict the contest will hinge on turnout, which was sparse across the state.

Just 18 percent of registered voters made it to the polls in July's primary and elections officials say fewer than half of those voters were expected to return to the ballot box for the runoff.

The last U.S. Senate Democratic primary runoff, in 2004, posted 6 percent turnout.

Jones and Martin were the top vote getters in the five-man Democratic primary three weeks ago. Jones won 40 percent of the vote in that contest and Martin earned 34 percent.

The runoff race has featured a duel over voting histories.

Jones accused Martin of voting against presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama. Martin voted for John Edwards in Georgia's Feb. 5 presidential primary even though the North Carolina Democrat had already withdrawn from the presidential race.

Martin has hammered Jones for voting twice for Republican George W. Bush in 2000 and 2004.

Tuesday's winner will face an uphill climb against Chambliss, who has $4 million in his campaign warchest even after a massive media buy to blanket television airwaves statewide with his first re-election ad. The ad will debut after Tuesday's runoff.

Chambliss on Tuesday sent letters to both Jones and Martin saying he looks forward to debating whoever emerges as his opponent.

"After today's vote, the people of Georgia have a right to know what distinguishes their United States senator from the other candidates," Chambliss wrote. "A crucial part of that process for Georgians will be public debates."

He did not commit to specific debates.

Chambliss sent a similar letter to Libertarian Senate candidate Allen Buckley, also on the ballot in November.

Runoffs are also being held Tuesday night in six legislative races. Three of them are incumbents facing challengers.

Click here for more GPB News election coverage.

(The Associated Press)

Primary runoff voting today across state

Polls are open across the state, and will stay open to voters until 7pm tonight. Primary runoff elections are being held as Georgia voters pick Democratic and Republican candidates in various races for state and local offices. State elections officials expect voter turnout to be very light--only in the single digits.

In the single statewide runoff battle, the choice is either Vernon Jones or Jim Martin for the Democratic pick for U.S. Senate. The winner here moves to November to face GOP incumbent Saxby Chambliss.

Keep it here on GPB for election updates--on radio and on the web. Check out our elections-blog anytime by going to our website gpb.org. We’ll have an election wrapup on your local GPB radio station tomorrow morning.

Jim Martin nets civil rights nod

Democratic Senate candidate Jim Martin earned a key endorsement from a famed civil rights leader -- the Rev. Joseph Lowery. Lowery's endorsement Wednesday is seen as a blow to Martin's rival, Vernon Jones, who is African-American. A runoff election next Tuesday will determine whether Jones or Martin will be the Democratic pick to challenge incumbent Senator Saxby Chambliss in November.

Final debate for U.S. Senate Dem candidates

A final debate was held yesterday between the two Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate, ahead of next Tuesday’s primary runoff. DeKalb County CEO Vernon Jones and former state lawmaker Jim Martin sparred over each other’s votes in recent presidential elections and the February primary. The two also questioned each other’s ability to challenge Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss in November. Tuesday’s Senate debate was hosted by GPB.

Advance voting tomorrow in Ga. primary runoff

Advance voting begins on Monday for Georgia's primary runoff.

Georgians can vote in the runoff whether they cast a ballot in the July 15th primary or not. Voters who did participate in the primary and selected either a Democratic or Republican party ballot can only vote on the same party ballot in the runoff.

The biggest race in the Aug. 5 runoff is the Democratic U.S. Senate contest between DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer Vernon Jones and former state lawmaker Jim Martin.

Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel reminded voters to bring a photo ID to the polls.

Advance in-person voting ends Friday, Aug. 1. Georgians also have until Friday to request an absentee ballot. Absentee ballots must be received by election day.

(The Associated Press)

Click here for more GPB News election coverage.

U.S. Senate Dem candidate Martin endorsed

Vernon Jones and Jim Martin are in campaign mode as the two are looking ahead to their Democratic U.S. Senate runoff ahead on August 5th. Thursday, it was Martin who received the endorsement of two other candidates eliminated from the primary race on Tuesday. Dale Cardwell and Rand Knight threw their support behind the former state lawmaker Martin. Another former candidate, Josh Lanier, says he will remain neutral in his support. Jones was the top vote-getter with 40 percent-—Martin earned 34 percent. The runoff winner faces Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss in November.

Last Senate Debate has friendly tone

In their last debate before Tuesday’s Primary election the 5 Democrats vying to run against incumbent Saxby Chambliss covered the economy, education, energy and Iraq. They did not differ significantly on the issues and were polite to each other during the
one-hour debate on GPB radio and television.

Dekalb CEO Vernon Jones defended using a picture of Barak Obama on his campaign flyer saying other politicians have used it as well this election year.

Former State Lawmakers Jim Martin who raised the most money in this race also got the most questions from fellow candidates and had to defend his record as former head of the Department of Human Resources.

Former TV reporter Dale Cardwell prided himself in not take political Pac money, and businessman Rand Knight, the youngest of the 5 candidates said he’d bring a PHD to the job.

He got a nod from Former Senate staffer Josh Lanier who raised less than 5000 dollars in this campaign. Lanier joked about Knight tireless campaigning.

"I pass you on highways. I got to where now I just wave at all the cars going by assuming one of them is you," he said, drawing laughter from the audience, "you put in the time and I salute you."

A friendly tone ran through the entire debate. When Vernon Jones had a chance to question an oponent, he asked Lanier if he'd support him in South Georgia.

"I have cleared my callendar from August through election day," Lanier said vowing to suppor whoever gets the democratic nomination to challenge incumbent Saxby Chambliss who has a considerable financial advantage over either democrat. He has $4 million already in the bank.

Polls done in the Democratic primary do not show a clear front runner. If no-one gets over 50 percent on Tuesday, a runoff will be held 3 weeks later.

Obama: Jones mailer not an endorsement

Barack Obama's presidential campaign distanced itself Thursday from a mailer by Georgia Democratic Senate hopeful Vernon Jones that shows them together under Obama's signature slogan: "Yes we can."

Jones defended the mailer, saying it shows he supports the Illinois senator, not the other way around.

"It shows that I am the best person to work with Barack Obama to turn this country around,"Jones told The Associated Press in a telephone interview Thursday.

Two of his four Democratic opponents pounced, saying the mailer suggests Jones — who twice voted for Republican George W. Bush — has Obama's backing.

"This last-ditch attempt to drape himself in the Barack Obama aura is not going to work," said challenger Dale Cardwell.

"A gross abuse and misuse of Barack Obama's wonderful success in Georgia," added candidate Rand Knight.

The five are facing off in a July 15 primary for the right to take on Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss in November.

Obama's campaign denied involvement with the flier Jones said was mailed statewide.

"The Obama campaign was not involved with the use of Sen. Obama's picture in this mailer," spokeswoman Amy Brundage said. "And despite what this mailer inaccurately suggests, Sen. Obama will not endorse a candidate in the U.S. Senate primary in Georgia."

The flier blends photos of Obama and Jones to make it appear they were at the same event, when they were not. It lists a variety of issues, from job creation to home foreclosure, on which the two share an agenda. "Like Barack Obama Vernon Jones Wants to ..." the list begins.

Jones said his opponents are attacking him because they are worried about his strength in the July 15 primary. He said they have been proclaiming their support for Obama for weeks.

Obama won Georgia handily in the state's Feb. 5 presidential contest, drawing 66 percent of the vote against Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, including strong support from the state's large black population. Jones, the only black Senate candidate in Georgia, also is courting black voters.

Click here for more GPB News local coverage of the presidential election race.

Senate Candidates go after Chambliss

Candidates looking to unseat Senator Saxby Chambliss squared off for the first time this election season. Five Democrats and one Libertarian took part in a forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Georgia and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

The candidates did not have major disagreements among each other but Democrats Rand Knight focused his attacks on Incumbent Republican Saxby Chambliss.

"The Sun is setting on Saxby Chambliss, and it's nightime," he said followed by cheers from teh crowd.

Former state legislator Jim Martin said as a Vietnam veteran he will not have his patriotism questioned by Saxby Chambliss. " I will hold him accountable," he said, " for what they have done."

Chambliss was invited to the event but declined. He will face the winner of the July 15th primary in November.

Dekalb CEO Vernon Jones used his closing remarks to criticize the media for suggesting that his campaign depends on the black vote.

"The media has created this frenzy around race. Now we are all one Georgia," Vernon said. He is the only African American Candidates in the race.

The Candidates agreed mostly on the issues ranging from the economy and gas prices to the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. There was, however some discourse over taking money from special interest groups.

Former television journalist Dale Cardwell and businessman Josh Lanier have agreed not to accept PAC contributions.

Libertarian candidate Allan Buckley was also part of the forum.

Click Here for video event coverage.

Knight enters Senate race

A fourth Democrat has entered the race for U.S. Senate. 36-year-old Rand Knight would challenge Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss. First, he will have to face three Democratic opponents in the July 15th primary. They include DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer Vernon Jones, former state lawmaker and human resources commissioner Jim Martin and ex-television journalist Dale Cardwell.

Chambliss and Martin off and running

Today Senator Saxby Chambliss officially kicked off his re-election campaign with a rally in Moultrie and Atlanta. At the state capitol Chambliss was flanked by Governor Perdue, Senator Johnny Isakson and and other leading Georgia Republicans. Chambliss touted his record and his ability, he says, to work with Democrats. Issues that he wants to focus on, he says, include health care, the economy and national security.

Also today Democrat Jim Martin announced his bid for the Senate seat. The former state representative will face two democratic opponents in the July primary. Martin ran unsuccessfully for Lieutenant Governor two years ago. The other Demorcats in the race are Dekalb County CEO Vernon Jones and former TV reporter Dale Cardwell.

Candidate ends week-long publicity stunt

A TV reporter turned political candidate has descended from his perch atop a 320-foot tower in Atlanta. Dale Cardwell spent a week on the tower to draw attention to his U.S. Senate bid. The Democrat is trying to unseat U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, a Republican seeking his second term. Cardwell will first face DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer Vernon Jones in the Democratic primary.

Chambliss fundraising booms

Georgia Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss continues to be a fundraising powerhouse. Chambliss raised more than one million dollars in recent months. He has nearly $4 million dollars in the bank a year before election time. So far two Democrats have announced plans to oppose Chambliss, DeKalb County CEO Vernon Jones and former Atlanta television news reporter Dale Cardwell.

Second Chambliss challenger steps forward

Georgia Senator Saxby Chambliss is getting another opponent. DeKalb County Chief Executive Vernon Jones says he will run challenge Chambliss in 2008. Jones says he will officially kick of his campaign for the Democratic nomination tomorrow in Marietta. The only other announced Democratic candidate is former Atlanta television reporter Dale Cardwell.