Posted on 06/19/2007 7:52:18 PM PDT by LdSentinal
The race to replace the late U.S. Rep. Charlie Norwood on Capitol Hill appears headed to a runoff.
The early favorite, former state Sen. Jim Whitehead, a Republican, led the crowded field of 10 candidates in Tuesday's special election. But he was unable to crack the 50 percent mark needed to claim the seat. With 81 percent of precincts reporting, Whitehead had 39 percent of the vote.
Jockeying to challenge him on July 17 are Democrat James Marlow, an Internet businessman from Lincolnton, and Republican Paul Broun, a doctor from Athens. With ballots still being counted, the race for second place was too close to call. Just 233 votes separated the two.
The race is the first congressional election since Democrats won control of Congress in 2006 and it's being watched for clues on how heated issues like Iraq and immigration will play out in next year's national elections.
The largely rural district, which includes Athens and parts of Augusta, has voted Republican for more than a decade.
The secretary of state's office predicted turnout at only about 10 percent of the district's 340,562 registered voters.
Norwood was serving his seventh term in Congress when he died in February after battling cancer and lung disease.
Whitehead, of Evans, enjoyed the backing of the party establishment _ as well as Norwood's family _ and far outpaced his opponents in the race for campaign cash. He resigned his state Senate seat to run for Congress.
Broun, who bragged that he still makes house calls, has high name recognition in the district. His father was a longtime Democratic state senator from the area.
Marlow lined up early support from many local Democratic leaders. He campaigned aggressively against Whitehead, hammering away at his remark early in the campaign that Iraq was "not a big thing in our district."
The four other Republicans in the race were Bill Greene of Braselton, Mark Myers of Loganville, Nate Pulliam of Conyers and Erik Underwood of Atlanta.
Evita Paschall of Evans and Denise Freeman of Tignall also ran as Democrats. Jim Sendelbach of Conyers was the lone Libertarian on the ballot.
On Monday, candidates scrambled to reach out to voters, holding rallies across the district,
The district includes the counties of Banks, Clarke, Columbia, Elbert, Franklin, Greene, Habersham, Hart, Jackson, Lincoln, Madison, McDuffie, Morgan, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Putnam, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Wilkes, and part of Richmond.
Former eight-term state Rep. Bill Jackson led the race to fill the state Senate vacated by Whitehead. Columbia County Planning Commissioner Brett McGuire and special needs learning specialist Lee Benedict were the other Republicans in the race. The lone Democrat was Scott Nichols, Columbia County Democratic Party chairman.
It’ll be nice if it ends up between two Republicans, then we can have an honest debate on the issues.
96% In, Broun leads Marlow 11,203 to 11,016. 13 Precincts Left.
From what I can tell of Dr. Broun, he is more Conservative than Sen. Whitehead. Broun could use the runoff to take aim at the administration and establishment for choosing the candidacy of Whitehead. Given what has been going on lately, it may have traction, and we’ve seen upsets in runoffs before.
Dr. Paul Broun
Native of Athens, GA where he resides and practices medicine.
Paul is the only doctor in Georgia whose practice is almost exclusively house calls.
Married to Niki Bronson Broun. Father of two adult daughters, Carly and Lucy, and a teenage son, Collins. He is a grandfather to Tillman and Lucile.
Son of the late Senator Paul Broun who served for 38 years in the General Assembly.
Graduated from the University of Georgia. Earned his M.D. from the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta.
Founding president of the Georgia Republican Assembly. Life Member of the NRA and President of its state affiliate, the Georgia Sport Shooting Association. Member, Gun Owners of America.
Past Chairman, Georgia Wildlife Federation.
Member of the UGA President’s Club.
Member, Rotary Club, Athens-Clarke County Chamber of Commerce.
The Brouns are members of Prince Avenue Baptist Church in Athens where Paul has served as children’s ministry leader. He has participated in missions trips, including one to Iraq in 2004. Paul is also a member of the Gideons.
http://www.paulbroun.com/98.html
If Whitehead would bother to show up at the debate, then maybe.
I believe his father was a Democrat state senator, albeit a conservative Democrat.
You’re right. Broun could get traction. Runoffs are funny things, and sometimes the votes of the losers go to the second place finisher in droves. It should be interesting.
I thought the name sounded familiar. That's probably why. I do wonder when he graduated from UGA.
Broun is 61, so he probably graduated from college around 1968.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.