By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
North Georgia race goes into runoff
Placeholder Image
ATLANTA - The special election for a north Georgia congressional seat vacated by Nathan Deal proved to be an early test of tea party strength in the state, although no candidate emerged with a majority and a runoff was set for June 8.

The race between former state Rep. Tom Graves and former state Sen. Lee Hawkins could provide a glimpse of what kind of candidate Georgia Republicans want this Midterm election year.

Graves, 40, of Ranger, ran an upstart campaign, drawing in tea party activists and anti-tax groups. Meanwhile, Hawkins, 59, of Gainesville, represented the kind of mainstream conservative that has been popular with Georgia Republicans in recent years.

Unofficial results showed Graves earning 35 percent of the vote to 23 percent for Hawkins with all precincts reporting Tuesday. In Georgia, a runoff is held if no candidate earns 50 percent plus one vote.

Graves, speaking from his campaign headquarters in Cumming, said his message resonated with voters in the solidly Republican district because it focused on "the right values and the right solutions and the new energy that's needed in Washington right now."

In perhaps a preview of the next few weeks, Hawkins questioned Graves' support from outside interest groups and said he was troubled "to see money pouring in from out of state to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars, to defeat a fellow Republican."

"You have to ask why are they doing that, what do they expect in return," Hawkins said.

The rest of the field included Republicans Chris Cates, a cardiologist; Bert Loftman, a retired neurosurgeon; former state Sen. Bill Stephens and textile executive Steve Tarvin. Independent Eugene Moon and Democrat Mike Freeman were also on the ballot.

The 9th congressional district covers 15 counties in north Georgia. In the 2008 presidential race, 75 percent of voters there cast a ballot for Republican John McCain.

The major candidates ran on similar issues: the need to rein in spending, get tough on immigration and repeal the new federal health care law.

Margaret Williamson, a tea party activist from Ellijay who voted for Graves, said she was disappointed by what she described as voter apathy.

"So many people I talked to didn't even know there was a special election and didn't bother to vote," she said.

The special election was nonpartisan with no party primary. However, a candidate's party affiliation was listed on the ballot.

Deal stepped down in March saying he wanted to focus on his bid for the Republican nomination for governor. A Democrat who swapped parties and became a Republican, Deal had held the seat since 1992.


Sign up for our E-Newsletters
Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program announces grant
Funds earmarked for Share the Road initiatives
Placeholder Image

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.

Latest Obituaries