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Candidates face off in special 10th district election
DAVID VAUGHAN For The Red & Black
Issue date: 6/14/07 Section: News
Voters will elect who they want to fill the vacant U.S. House seat for the 10th Congressional District in a special election Tuesday.
The two leading candidates in the race are Democrat James Marlow and Republican Jim Whitehead.
This is Marlow's first bid for political office.
He said his strengths are his knowledge of the high-tech business world and his small-town values.
"James' top priority is to bring an honorable end to our involvement in Iraq as quickly as possible," said Emil Runge, the campaign's press secretary. "James is also very committed to making the United States energy independent."
Marlow also wants to bring "innovation to education," Runge said.
He fully supports the "Brain Train," a train that would connect Athens to Atlanta, an idea that appeals to many University students.
Marlow received endorsements from Athens' Mayor Heidi Davison, former Governor Roy Barnes and the Sierra Club.
Jim Whitehead, a state senator, is considered the front-runner among the Republican candidates.
Whitehead is running, "so we don't lose the progress that Charlie made in Washington and we can continue the conservative tradition in Congress for this district," said John Stone, a Whitehead communications consultant.
When it comes to the prominent issues, Stone said, Senator Whitehead is opposed to Congress setting withdrawal dates for troops in Iraq.
Like Marlow, Whitehead is committed to the "Brain Train."
Whitehead is endorsed by the National Rifle Association, The National Federation of Independent Businesses and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
At the University, the College Republicans and the Young Democrats are promoting the election and their candidates by participating in phone banks and visiting district residents at their homes.
"We decided as a chapter not to endorse anyone (in particular)," said David Ballard, chairman of the College Republicans.
Louis Elrod, Communications Director for the Young Democrats, said the club is volunteering time to promote the election with methods similar to those of the College Republicans.
Charlie Norwood, the Representative who previously held the office, died in February. The seat has been empty since his death.
The two leading candidates in the race are Democrat James Marlow and Republican Jim Whitehead.
This is Marlow's first bid for political office.
He said his strengths are his knowledge of the high-tech business world and his small-town values.
"James' top priority is to bring an honorable end to our involvement in Iraq as quickly as possible," said Emil Runge, the campaign's press secretary. "James is also very committed to making the United States energy independent."
Marlow also wants to bring "innovation to education," Runge said.
He fully supports the "Brain Train," a train that would connect Athens to Atlanta, an idea that appeals to many University students.
Marlow received endorsements from Athens' Mayor Heidi Davison, former Governor Roy Barnes and the Sierra Club.
Jim Whitehead, a state senator, is considered the front-runner among the Republican candidates.
Whitehead is running, "so we don't lose the progress that Charlie made in Washington and we can continue the conservative tradition in Congress for this district," said John Stone, a Whitehead communications consultant.
When it comes to the prominent issues, Stone said, Senator Whitehead is opposed to Congress setting withdrawal dates for troops in Iraq.
Like Marlow, Whitehead is committed to the "Brain Train."
Whitehead is endorsed by the National Rifle Association, The National Federation of Independent Businesses and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
At the University, the College Republicans and the Young Democrats are promoting the election and their candidates by participating in phone banks and visiting district residents at their homes.
"We decided as a chapter not to endorse anyone (in particular)," said David Ballard, chairman of the College Republicans.
Louis Elrod, Communications Director for the Young Democrats, said the club is volunteering time to promote the election with methods similar to those of the College Republicans.
Charlie Norwood, the Representative who previously held the office, died in February. The seat has been empty since his death.
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