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Fight to finish for Barnes, Deal
Nathan-Deal
Nathan Deal - photo by Photo provided.

ATLANTA — As anti-establishment anger swept other parts of the nation, Georgia Republicans tapped an 18-year congressional veteran dogged by ethics allegations as the party’s nominee for governor.
After a bitter runoff that featured nasty attack ads and dueling endorsements from potential 2012 presidential contenders, former U.S. Rep. Nathan Deal defeated ex-Secretary of State Karen Handel by 2,489 votes out of more than a half-million cast, according to unofficial returns.
Handel, who had cast herself as an outsider, conceded the race Wednesday, avoiding what could have been a drawn-out recount. Deal now faces a general election battle with Democrat Roy Barnes, a one-term governor who was ousted eight years ago by Republicans.
“The best thing for our party is to rally around Congressman Deal as our nominee in the fight against Roy Barnes,” Handel said in a statement. “Barnes would return Georgia to a past that is best kept in our rearview mirror.”
Republicans quickly closed ranks around Deal, with Handel leading the way. There was no mention of her campaign attacks when she labeled Deal “a corrupt relic of Washington.”
Republicans quickly took aim at Barnes, who also has a lengthy political resume, including 22 years in the Legislature and four in the governor’s mansion. Republicans are linking Barnes to the Obama administration and congressional Democrats like Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid.
“The refusal of those leaders to listen to the will of the people on critical issues such as out-of-control spending and health care mandates simply reminds Georgians about the way Barnes ruled imperially here before 2003,” outgoing Gov. Sonny Perdue said.
Barnes argues that Georgia’s ruling Republicans are driving the state to ruin.
“It doesn’t matter who my opponent is, this election is about the serious issues facing all Georgians, not the out-of-state endorsements and sideline issues that the other team has used to divide voters,” the former governor said.
In other Georgia runoffs, the results are as follows:

• Attorney general (Republican)
Sam Olens: 299,235 - 59 percent
Preston Smith: 208,926 - 41 percent

• Insurance commissioner (Republican)
Ralph Hudgens: 284,140 - 55 percent
Maria Sheffield: 230,100 - 45 percent

• Public Service Commission, District 2 (Republican)
Tim Echols: 247,907 - 52 percent
John Douglas: 225,998 - 48 percent

• Secretary of state (Democratic)
Georganna Sinkfield: 62,345 - 62 percent
Gail Buckner: 38,319 - 38 percent


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Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program announces grant
Funds earmarked for Share the Road initiatives
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Grant funding totaling $93,458 has been awarded to the Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program (GMSP) by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. The approved funding will be used to increase motorcycle safety awareness and outreach by encouraging all motorists and motorcyclists to Share the Road.

“The need for motorcycle safety programs is greater than ever, and this support from GOHS enables motorcycle safety programs and impaired riding initiatives to reach riders and non-riders alike” said Commissioner Spencer R. Moore. “Thank you GOHS for helping (the Department of Driver Services) and GMSP educate and encourage all Georgia drivers to ‘Share the Road.’”

The grant allows DDS to further develop the Motorcycle Safety Outreach Program by continuing to fund a position to promote state and national safety initiatives. The GMSP outreach coordinator researches, coordinates and helps maintain an adequate presence at industry events, local schools and colleges, regional meetings and festivals to increase awareness of motorcycles on the roadways and provide the most current information on motorcycle safety initiatives.

Visitors to a GMSP event display are also encouraged to sign up for regular newsletters which provide additional safety information, as well as review the motorcycle safety message on other social media platforms.

GMSP regulates motorcycle training for new riders, as well as seasoned riders, who want to learn how to ride a motorcycle legally and safely. The program is based on a continuum of learning and therefore offers three entry points to rider education.

Students participating in the Basic Riders Course do not need specialized motorcycle equipment, as the GMSP provides both a motorcycle and a helmet to class participants. Upon successful completion of the course, participants receive a 90-day license waiver card that exempts them from both the written and on-cycle skills tests needed to obtain a Class M license in the state of Georgia.

Please visit the DDS website at www.dds.georgia.gov for many online services including the convenience of enrolling in a GMSP training class and accessing many licensing services.

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