ELECTION DAY* Georgia primary election: July 20* Runoff date (if needed): Aug. 10* General election: Nov. 2Source: Georgia Secretary of State office
The two men running for Georgia’s 53rd District Senate seat admit they’ve got an uphill battle to dislodge incumbent Sen. Jeff Mullis, but they say they don’t mind trying.
“I’m like David going up against Goliath,” said Jim Pope, 68, a retired meat and poultry inspector running for the seat. “David had the courage to go up against him.”
Mr. Pope, Sen. Mullis and Ringgold small-business owner Jeremy Jones will be on the Republican primary ballot July 20.
Mr. Pope and Mr. Jones are active in the tea party, a nonpartisan protest group that advocates smaller government and lower taxes. They said votes from tea party members could help push either of them over the top, or at least force a runoff in the election.
“I don’t know of any active tea party members who support Jeff Mullis,” Mr. Jones said.
Both men hope that a nationwide anti-incumbent sentiment will creep into the 53rd District, which includes Chattooga, Dade and Walker counties, along with part of Catoosa.
Sen. Mullis said he has “a lot of support” from tea party members and said his conservative record speaks for itself.
“My voting record is exactly like the tea party would like,” he said.
He plans to tout his experience in the campaign. He’s currently the chairman of the powerful Senate Transportation Committee and vice-chairman of the Public Safety Committee. A five-term senator, he’s been named one the “most influential” Georgians by James magazine and Georgia Trend magazine in the last year.
“I’ve really enjoyed campaigning,” he said. “When you knock on somebody’s door, you find out what’s on people’s mind in terms of politics.”
Mr. Jones characterizes himself as a pro-life, small-government advocate and a member of the National Rifle Association. He announced a run for Georgia’s 9th Congressional District but dropped out of the race in March when U.S. Rep. Nathan Deal announced he would vacate the seat for a gubernatorial run.
Mr. Jones said he has no qualms about Sen. Mullis but just wants the office.
“I have a desire to serve people, whether that’s in the Georgia Senate or the U.S. House,” Mr. Jones said. “It’s not a desire for power or anything like that. It’s a desire to effect change.”
Mr. Pope is campaigning on a platform of job creation, constituent involvement, legal reform and minimal taxes with an efficient government. Unlike Mr. Jones, Mr. Pope has several “honest disagreements” with the sitting senator.
He said he’s unhappy with constituents’ access to Sen. Mullis and said the senator is not tough enough on immigration.
“I would not run if I had a senator I felt confidence in,” said Mr. Pope, who served as a volunteer for the Mullis campaign in the past.
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