Georgia Sen. Jeff Mullis hosted a meet-and-greet for Catoosa County Commission candidate Stephanie Dickert last week, a move that incumbent Bobby Winters described as a "stabbing me in the back."
"I don't know why Sen. Mullis is doing anything like this," Winters said Monday. "He needs to stay out of county government, and some others of them need to stay out of this commissioners' race. They're just playing games."
Winters and Dickert will face each other Aug. 10 in a runoff for the District 2 County Commission seat. In the Republican primary on July 20, Winters got 507 votes to Dickert's 297. Mark Lindsay took 222 votes and did not qualify for the runoff.
Throughout the campaigns, Dickert has focused on quality-of-life issues and growth, while Winters has touted his construction experience and pledged to keep taxes low.
Last week, Dickert sent out a statement announcing a "greet and meet" hosted by Mullis, R-Chickamauga, at the Hampton Inn in Ringgold on July 29.
In an e-mailed statement Monday, Dickert described Mullis as a "good friend" of her and her husband.
"I appreciate his support and everyone else who is supporting me," she said.
Attempts to reach Mullis were unsuccessful Monday.
Winters said Mullis and others were "stacking the deck against me" and said he would discuss more after the runoff election.
"I appreciate Jeff Mullis, but I do not appreciate the things like this and stabbing me in the back," Winters said.
Catoosa County Commissioner Ken Marks said Mullis has given fundraisers for him in the past and called the senator's support a "biggie."
"In my opinion, it makes me look good to have a state senator on my side," Marks said. "It sure don't hurt as popular as Jeff is."
Winters said he hoped voters would see past the "games" and look at his experience and record.