ATLANTA – U.S. Rep. John Barrow is leading early voting returns in his rematch with a former state senator from Savannah in the Democratic primary for Georgia’s 12th District.
Unofficial returns showed Barrow with more than 64 percent of the vote, with 14 percent of precincts reporting. Thomas had 35 percent.
Thomas says she’s the real Democrat in the race and argues Barrow’s conservative voting record doesn’t reflect the party’s values. However, Thomas got only 24 percent of the vote when she challenged the incumbent in 2008.
The 12th District covers much of Savannah and Augusta, as well as a large swath of rural southern Georgia.
Four Republicans are seeking the GOP nomination. Ray McKinney, of Lyons, led with 42 percent of the vote, followed by Carl Smith, of Thunderbolt, with 25 percent.