CHICKAMAUGA, Ga. -- Walker County businessman Steve Tarvin recently picked up a kettle-full of tea party endorsements in his race for Congress, thanks in part to a scoring system developed by a former rival.
Mr. Tarvin, 58, who owns Crystal Springs Print Works in Chickamauga, received endorsements from tea parties in Dade, Walker, Gordon and Hall counties in his bid for the 9th District seat.
"I've known all along I had support in the tea parties," Mr. Tarvin said in a phone interview Friday. He said 15 of 17 Tea Party chairs in the district have voiced individual support for him.
Mr. Tarvin garnered the third most votes among a crowded field in May's special election to fill the seat vacated when Nathan Deal resigned to run for governor. In a runoff on June 8, former state Rep. Tom Graves defeated former state Sen. Lee Hawkins.
Tarvin, Graves and Hawkins will face off again in the Republican primary for the seat on July 20 along with state Rep. Bobby Reese.
Bill Stephens, Chris Cates and Dr. Bert Loftman also will be on the ballot but are not actively campaigning.
But even though Dr. Loftman is not campaigning, he sill may influence the race.
The Pickens County neurosurgeon has created a scoring rubric that rates candidates based on five categories along the tea party line, including their stance on the fair tax, states' rights and controlling federal spending.
The scoresheet, published at www.electtherightcandidate.com, scores Mr. Tarvin at 75; Mr. Graves, Dr. Hawkins and Dr. Cates at 20; and Mr. Reese at 10.
Election dates* Last day to register to vote June 21* Primary: July 20* Primary runoff: Aug. 10* General election registration deadline: Oct. 4* General election: Nov. 2Active 9th District Candidates* Tom Graves Jr., Republican, Ranger* Lee Hawkins, Republican, Gainesville* Steve Tarvin, Republican, Chickamauga* Bobby Reese, Republican, Sugar HillSource: Georgia Secretary of State's Office
"It's what I consider a public service to anyone who wants to look," said Dr. Loftman.
Mr. Tarvin, who gained points by supporting the fair tax and a balanced budget as well as his constitutionalist stance, said he was glad to be recognized but pointed out that the scores are only based on statements from the candidates' websites.
"If you went by my personal beliefs I'd have a 100," he said.
A staffer for Mr. Graves responded to the scores saying his candidate, who received endorsements from the Atlanta Tea Party before May's special election, had a conservative record that spoke for itself.
"Obviously you can set up a scoring rubric to advantage whatever candidate you support," he said.
Dr. Loftman threw his support behind Mr. Graves in the runoff and said he was surprised Mr. Graves and the other candidates didn't get higher scores.
Mr. Hawkins said he was in "100 percent agreement" with the Georgia Tea Party Voter Guide and was the only candidate to sign the Tea Party Contract with Georgia. He praised the tea parties for taking different stands.
"The fact that different tea party groups are making different endorsements represents the very nature of the tea party movement: Independence and freedom returning to the American political process," he said in an e-mailed statement.