Posted on 07/20/2004 6:14:01 PM PDT by ambrose
Isakson Leads Ga. Primary Early Returns
Wednesday July 21, 2004 1:46 AM
AP Photo GAJB601
By DICK PETTYS
Associated Press Writer
ATLANTA (AP) - Rep. Johnny Isakson opened a wide lead Tuesday in early returns in the Republican primary for the seat held by maverick Democratic Sen. Zell Miller, whose retirement has given the GOP an excellent opportunity to pick up a Senate seat.
Eight Democrats vied for the nomination, but face an uphill battle in a state that has experienced a sudden shift to the right in the last two years.
In North Carolina, former Clinton chief of staff Erskine Bowles faced no opposition and five-term GOP Rep. Richard Burr cruised to the nomination in the race for Democratic vice presidential candidate John Edwards' Senate seat. Six Republicans sought the state's gubernatorial nomination to run against Democratic Gov. Mike Easley, who faced token opposition.
With 5 percent of precincts reporting, Isakson had 14,506 votes, or 53 percent, followed by former Godfather's Pizza CEO Herman Cain, who had 7,076 votes, or 26 percent. Six-term Rep. Mac Collins was in third with 21 percent.
On the Democratic side, businessman Cliff Oxford and freshman Rep. Denise Majette were in a virtual dead heat. Oxford had 5,773 votes, or 25 percent, while Majette close behind with 5,485 votes, or 24 percent.
To avoid an Aug. 10 runoff, the candidates needed 50 percent of the vote. In North Carolina, the threshold was 40 percent.
Democrats dominated Georgia until 2002, when Sonny Perdue became the state's first Republican governor since Reconstruction. Perdue also persuaded four Democratic state senators to change parties, giving the GOP control of that chamber.
Miller, a 72-year-old former governor who was appointed after GOP Sen. Paul Coverdell died in 2000, also has grown more conservative: He often votes with Republicans, strongly backs President Bush, and is even scheduled to speak at the Republican National Convention.
The Republican candidates in the Senate race sparred mostly over abortion. Cain and Collins repeatedly criticized Isakson as not being conservative enough, citing his support for allowing abortions in the event of rape and incest.
Isakson took former House Speaker Newt Gingrich's seat in Congress in 1999 after Gingrich resigned. Cain was only the second black since Reconstruction to run for a top state office in Georgia as a Republican - evidence, GOP activists said, of their growing base.
Former Rep. Cynthia McKinney, a firebrand who lost her House seat two years ago to Majette in a backlash spawned by her incendiary remarks about President Bush, was trying to win her old seat back in an Atlanta suburb. She was one of six Democrats in the race.
The door is open this year for Republicans to make gains in the South. John Breaux of Louisiana, Bob Graham of Florida, and Fritz Hollings of South Carolina are other Democrats who are leaving the Senate.
North Carolina had a full slate of races Tuesday, including a special election to fill the remainder of the term of former Rep. Frank Ballance, who resigned for what he said were health reasons but also was under investigation over the handling of funds at a foundation he started. The Democrats were expected to hold on to that seat.
In the GOP gubernatorial primary, former Charlotte Mayor Richard Vinroot led a crowded field with 4 percent of precincts reporting. He had 31 percent, or 6,532 votes, ahead of former state Sen. Patrick Ballantine, who had 6,308 votes, or 30 percent. Former state GOP chairman and congressman Bill Cobey had 25 percent.
House co-Speaker Richard Morgan was facing a tough GOP primary battle that highlighted a feud that has split the state party. Conservatives said Morgan sold out to broker a power-sharing agreement with Democrats that made him co-speaker.
Political experts expected record-low turnout - possibly below 10 percent - giving underdogs a shot at pulling off upsets. The state normally holds primaries in May, but this year's vote was delayed by a court fight over redistricting.
``This makes this race almost impossible to predict and impossible for candidates to campaign,'' Duke University political scientist Mike Munger said.
Collins and Cain split the conservative vote.... Cain may have a shot in a runoff...
I voted for Cain.
There needs to be a runoff first.
Is there any site up where primary results are being updated frequently? I can't find any at any of the big news outlets
Last Updated 7/20/2004 9:30:06 PM
looks like Isakson has it locked up...
"Eight Democrats vied for the nomination, but face an uphill battle in a state that has experienced a sudden shift to the right in the last two years."
State populations don't suddenly shift to the right. The Democrat party has shifted way to the left, and abandoned their former supporters.
If there is a runoff.
Voted for Cain.Looks like Isakson is down to 52.6%.Looks like Fulton and Dekalb are still coming in-maybe Cain can get some more votes here.Watching closely
| Cain 137,531 |
Collins 103,187 |
Isakson 268,048 |
|||
| 27.0% | 20.3% | 52.7% |
At this point a vote for Collins is a vote for Cain.
Not looking good for Cain. I don't know if they can get enough votes to bring Isakson under 50%.Republicans,I believe are making a mistake voting for Isakson-Cain could be a great one
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