Voters in tomorrow’s Georgia primaries must choose either a Republican or a Democrat ballot, with both including non-partisan judicial races. One of the fiercest legislative GOP primaries is in state House District 80 (Brookhaven and part of Sandy Springs) where candidate Meagan Hanson rebutted last-minute lies by opponent Alan Cole. Perhaps the hottest Republican U.S. congressional primary is in the 3rd District, an open seat due to the retirement of Rep. Lynn Westmoreland.
With regard to House District 80, The Dunwoody Crier published by Dick Williams has this comprehensive report:
“Meagan Hanson, an attorney, has come under attack from Alan Cole who falsely charged her with suing the Republican Party and being part of a law firm that contributed to Democratic Gov. Roy Barnes.
“Hansen did not sue the party and was not a member of the firm when it contributed to Barnes.
“In turn, she points out that Cole voted in five Democratic primaries from 2000 through 2008. She also points out that the third candidate, Catherine Bernard, voted for Barack Obama in 2008 and against Mitt Romney in 2012. Bernard, also a lawyer, came into politics as a Ron Paul supporter. She recently responded to ethics charges against her by saying she would amend several years of campaign reports, without specifying the amendments.”
The winner of the GOP primary (there will probably be a run-off on July 26) will face freshman Rep. Taylor Bennett in November’s general election. A GOP win in November also means the party will resume control of the Fulton County legislative delegation, making it easier for local GOP-sponsored bills to pass.
As for the primary in the 3rd U.S. congressional district, which stretches from Peachtree City over to Columbus and a part of the Alabama border, it is a Republican free-for-all. The conservative candidates who have the most money and name recognition are state Sen. Mike Crane of Newnan, Peachtree City businessman Jim Pace and West Point dentist Drew Ferguson.
Crane has strength due to endorsements from the National Rifle Association and Georgia Right to Life, but Pace and Ferguson have surprised observers with a strong fund-raising finish. It is doubtful any candidate will snare a majority of votes, so there would be a primary runoff for the GOP nomination.
