North Georgia Democrats expect to have strong local presence

Local races and issues will be a major reason voter turnout will be strong in November, even though they don’t get the same billing as the nation’s presidential contest, election officials said.

The rise of some Democratic candidates, though, in strongly Republican Georgia counties may be getting a boost from the national interest in Democratic candidates vying for the Oval Office.

“There are a lot of disconnected people who want to a see fresh voice,” said Jeff Scott, a Democratic candidate for the 9th District congressional seat.

He will run against Republican U.S. Rep. Nathan Deal, who has held the seat since 1992.

Mr. Scott, an eighth-grade social studies teacher in the Walker County Schools, has been chairman of the Walker County Democratic Party for almost two years.

He qualified in the final minutes Friday as officials accepted applications at the state Capitol in Atlanta.

Rep. Deal defeated a Democratic challenger in 2006 but hadn’t faced an opponent in the previous two elections.

Mr. Scott, who has never sought public office before, said he still is working on the details of his campaign organization and hopes to use the Internet to attract young voters. He said he had considered running for the seat for the past couple of months and early last week decided his party’s support was enough to go up against Rep. Deal in a strongly Republican district.

“Whenever you have a passion and drive to do well for people, there’s always a chance,” Mr. Scott said.

Rep. Deal wasn’t available for comment Friday because of a family emergency.

state legislative races

As for North Georgia legislative races, only the District 3 House race will see a primary contest in Northwest Georgia, since incumbent Rep. Ron Forster is not seeking re-election. A few races, though, with match Democrats and Republicans in the general election Nov. 4.

Sen. Jeff Mullis, R-Chickamauga, is challenged by Walker County sheriff’s deputy Bruce Coker for the District 53 seat.

And Rep. Martin Scott, R-Rossville, will see a Democratic challenge from Sadie Morgan, of Rossville, for his District 2 spot.

Both those Republican incumbents faced the same Democratic opponent in 2006, but the challengers believe the chances of electing a Democrat are far greater this time around.

On the other side, Democratic incumbent Rep. Barbara Massey Reece, D-Menlo, will have a Republican challenger for her District 11 race.

Betty Brady, a Realtor from Summerville, Ga., has been active in the Republican Party, serving as chairwoman of Gov. Sonny Perdue’s Chattooga County campaign, but had not run before herself.

She said party leaders encouraged her to run. “It’s a good idea for all candidates to have opposition from time to time,” Ms. Brady said.

In the District 3 race, three Republicans will seek the nomination and a chance to face lone Democratic candidate Ralph Noble, a school teacher from Ringgold.

Catoosa County Republican Party Chairman Brad Scott, Dalton attorney Robert D. Jenkins and Ringgold attorney Tom Weldon Jr. are matched up in the July 15 primary.

If no candidate gets a majority, a primary runoff on Aug. 5 will decide the nominee.

COUNTY CONTESTS

Four Democrats will glide to victory in one of Georgia’s most Republican counties, but it doesn’t mean it’s the end of the GOP in Catoosa County.

The veteran incumbents happen to still be Democrats, and still enjoy confidence in their job performance.

“I’m very thankful I’ve had the opportunity to run unopposed,” Sheriff Phil Summers said. “I am seeking sixth term and have had no opposition on three of those occasions.”

In similar situations are Clerk of Court Norman Stone, Tax Commissioner Sandra Self and Coroner Vanita Hullander — all Democrats and each with no challenger in the primary or general election.

Republican Probate Judge Gene Lowery also avoided Democratic and Republican opposition.

The Democratic and Republican primaries are July 15 with voting from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

County Commission District 1 incumbent Ken Marks will face GOP challenger Barbara Wilson of the Lakeview area on July 15, and the winner will be unopposed in November.

In Commission District 3, GOP candidates James Cutler with Citadel Broadcasting and Charles “Bud” Shadwick, a retired commercial truck driver and owner, will vie to see faces Graysville resident George Duncan, the only Democrat running.

Incumbent District 3 Commissioner James Emberson is not seeking reelection.

Chief Magistrate Judge Donald “Sonny” Caldwell is opposed in the Republican Primary by Joan Koplan, a private detective.

The most heavily contested race sees incumbent Commission Chairman Bill Clark opposed in the Republican primary by Robert K. Greene, an electrical engineer; Jeffrey Wolford, an attorney; and Judd Burkhart, former mayor of Fort Oglethorpe.

Former chairman Lynn George Long of Fort Oglethorpe qualified for the race as a Democrat.

The top seat in Walker County, too, has contests in both primary and general elections.

Incumbent Commissioner Bebe Heiskell will face Andy Hames in the Republican primary, and the Democratic nominee P.J. Wilson will face the winner.

In Whitfield County, the commission chairman post left open by Brian Anderson’s decision not to seek re-election, will be decided between two known faces squaring off in the Republican primary.

Former chairman Mike Babb faces Rick Tanner, the executive director of the Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center who resigned abruptly in March. Both cited fiscal responsibility as a campaign pledge.

“The first thing that’s going to affect everybody and everything is the economy, because the economy affects revenues,” Mr. Babb said, adding it will be crucial to stay at or below budget.

For his part, Mr. Tanner said it makes fiscal sense to combine some city and county services.

“I think there’s a lot of areas where you’ve got redundant services,” he said.

Staff writers Ronnie Moore, Chloé Morrison and Erin Fuchs contributed to this report.