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Primary shows Broun in driver's seat
GREG WILSON
Issue date: 7/17/08 Section: News
Athens is waiting to find a Democratic candidate for Senate, but primary election results showed overwhelming response for Republican Congressman Paul Broun.
Democrats in Athens-Clarke County chose betw-een five candidates to face incumbent Saxby Cham-bliss in November. Because none of the candidates reached the 50 percent mark, Vernon Jones and Jim Martin will face each other in a run-off on Aug. 5.
U.S. Senate
Republican
Saxby Chambliss (I) (391,382 / 100)
Democrat
Vernon Jones (194,688 / 40.3)
Jim Martin (165,590 / 34.3)
Dale Cardwell (77,634 / 16.1)
Rand Knight (25,288 / 5.2)
Josh Lanier (19,555 / 4.1)
U.S. House, District 10
Republican
Paul Broun (I) (44,942 / 71)
Barry Fleming (18,370 / 29)
Democrat
Bobby Saxon
State Senate, District 46
Republican
Bill Cowsert (I) (8,750 / 60.4)
Tommy Malcom (5,733 / 39.6)
Democrat
Sherry Jackson
"It was an interesting race. We had pretty good candidates," said Louis Elrod, president of the Uni-versity's Young Democrats. "Looking at the rules of run-off, I assume that support for Vernon Jones will stay the same and Martin will pull over many of the supporters of Dale Card-well, Josh Lanier and Rand Knight."
Charles Bullock, a political science professor, said those who win primary votes win the run-off about 70 percent of the time.
"The top two candidates will try to reach out to those who lost, but you can't deliver votes like groceries. Some voters just won't vote," he said.
Incumbent Broun withstood the challenge of State Rep. Barry Fleming and received more than 70 percent of the vote.
"I am humbled by this overwhelming show of support. The people of every county in my district have spoken by casting their ballots for principle instead of politics-as-usual," said Broun in a news release.
Congressman Broun will face Democrat Bobby Saxon in the fall.
State Sen. Bill Cowsert, who represents District 46 of Athens-Clarke, Walton and Oconee counties, was able to fend off Republican challenger Tommy Mal-colm, receiving more than 60 percent of the vote. Cowsert will face Athens lawyer Sherry Jackson in November.
Democrats in Athens-Clarke County chose betw-een five candidates to face incumbent Saxby Cham-bliss in November. Because none of the candidates reached the 50 percent mark, Vernon Jones and Jim Martin will face each other in a run-off on Aug. 5.
RESULTS
Candidate (Votes / Percent)U.S. Senate
Republican
Saxby Chambliss (I) (391,382 / 100)
Democrat
Vernon Jones (194,688 / 40.3)
Jim Martin (165,590 / 34.3)
Dale Cardwell (77,634 / 16.1)
Rand Knight (25,288 / 5.2)
Josh Lanier (19,555 / 4.1)
U.S. House, District 10
Republican
Paul Broun (I) (44,942 / 71)
Barry Fleming (18,370 / 29)
Democrat
Bobby Saxon
State Senate, District 46
Republican
Bill Cowsert (I) (8,750 / 60.4)
Tommy Malcom (5,733 / 39.6)
Democrat
Sherry Jackson
"It was an interesting race. We had pretty good candidates," said Louis Elrod, president of the Uni-versity's Young Democrats. "Looking at the rules of run-off, I assume that support for Vernon Jones will stay the same and Martin will pull over many of the supporters of Dale Card-well, Josh Lanier and Rand Knight."
Charles Bullock, a political science professor, said those who win primary votes win the run-off about 70 percent of the time.
"The top two candidates will try to reach out to those who lost, but you can't deliver votes like groceries. Some voters just won't vote," he said.
Incumbent Broun withstood the challenge of State Rep. Barry Fleming and received more than 70 percent of the vote.
"I am humbled by this overwhelming show of support. The people of every county in my district have spoken by casting their ballots for principle instead of politics-as-usual," said Broun in a news release.
Congressman Broun will face Democrat Bobby Saxon in the fall.
State Sen. Bill Cowsert, who represents District 46 of Athens-Clarke, Walton and Oconee counties, was able to fend off Republican challenger Tommy Mal-colm, receiving more than 60 percent of the vote. Cowsert will face Athens lawyer Sherry Jackson in November.
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Winfield J. Abbe
posted 7/18/08 @ 2:17 AM EST
The "election" last Tuesday was nothing but a sham election and all citizens should demand it be repealed and done again. For example, about 3,406 registered Republican voters of Athens voted in the contest between Broun and Fleming. (Continued…)
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