North Georgia voters will see mostly the same choices for state legislators on the ballot in November as they did in 2006 — even in the Democratic challengers to the heavily Republican districts.

As candidate qualifying begins Monday, the only shake-up that appears likely is for the District 3 state representative seat.

Brad Scott, chairman of the Catoosa County Republican Party, planned to announce his candidacy this weekend.

Incumbent Rep. Ron Forster, R-Ringgold, had said earlier he was considering a run for the Public Service Commission, a statewide board that regulates utilities and their rates. Incumbent Public Service Commissioner for District 4, Angela Speir, announced last week she wouldn’t seek reelection.

Mr. Scott said he doesn’t expect to run against Rep. Forster, “based on what he’s been saying.” Rep. Forster could not be reached for comment.

All other Northwest Georgia legislators said they plan to seek re-election, and most said they plan on qualifying Monday in Atlanta.

To qualify for a state legislative race, the candidate must turn in a signed form and a $400 check to state party officials. Republicans will report to Senate chambers and the Democrats to the House chambers at the state Capitol this week.

Sen. Don Thomas, R-Dalton, said he’s set to run for a seventh term.

“I plan to go down Monday and qualify and hope no one runs against me,” Dr. Thomas said.

Disappointment in a session that failed to produce significant tax cuts or trauma care and transportation funding probably won’t affect too many North Georgia races, he said.

“It’s not likely to change a thing or make races tougher in our area, because we’re so strongly Republican,” Sen. Thomas said.

“We don’t anticipate we’ll lose any Senate seats,” he said about GOP prospects. A few House seats in the metro Atlanta area with both strong Republican and Democratic contingencies may be in peril, he added.

At least a couple legislators representing Walker County will face competition from Democrats they have defeated before.

Sadie Morgan of Rossville said she plans to take a third crack at the District 2 state representative seat currently held by Rep. Martin Scott, RRossville.

Although Rep. Scott has beaten her twice before, with about twice as many votes in 2006, Ms. Morgan said this year’s “times are more advantageous” for pushing her economic issues, with gas prices skyrocketing and people losing their homes.

“A lot more people will be listening to me than in the past,” she said. “In 2006, I was the only one talking about foreclosure rates.”

Bruce Coker said one element he’s banking on to give him a better shot at taking the seat of Sen. Jeff Mullis, RChickamauga, is a presidential election that will draw more Democratic and new voters to the polls.

The Walker County sheriff’s deputy said he isn’t intimidated by Sen. Mullis’ already considerable campaign funds.

“I’m going to buy me a new pair of shoes,” Mr. Coker said. “I’ll be wearing out a lot of shoe leather this time around.”

This corner of the state’s only incumbent Democrat, Rep. Barbara Massey Reece, D-Menlo, said she hasn’t heard of any challengers yet. She’s running for her sixth term and doesn’t expect to see any “drastic shifts” in leadership.

“This will be a really interesting election this time,” she said. “There’s a lot of interest nationally. I think we’ll see a lot of new voters register.”

Rep. John Meadows, R-Calhoun, said the majority party is on its way to delivering promises of tax cuts and smaller government this upcoming session.

“People expected way too much in the form of change,” he said about the recently ended legislative session. “We’re talking about it. Now, this time, let’s do something about it.”