Jasper Voters Mimic Those Statewide

While Jasper voters generally stayed home in droves, the few who ventured out for Tuesday’s primary runoffs picked the same winners that were victorious statewide and now can focus on campaigns for the general election on November 7 when virtually all state offices will be up for grabs.

Jim Martin, an Atlanta attorney and legislator, became the voters’ choice to face Republican Casey Cagle in the contest to become Georgia’s next lieutenant governor. Mr. Martin’s margin over fellow legislator Greg Hecht was 62 to 38 percent statewide; in Jasper his vote was 204, or 65 percent, to 108 for Hecht.

The winner in that race will succeed Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor, who defeated retiring Secretary of State Cathy Cox in the July 18 Democratic party to become his party’s standard bearer in the quest for the governorship. Both parties had heated contests, necessitating runoffs, to choose a successor to Ms. Cox.

For the Democrats, state Rep. Gail Buckner took 55 percent of the statewide vote, 65 percent in Jasper, to defeat Darryl Hicks of Jonesboro. She will face Karen Handel, former Fulton County chairman who received 56 percent of the vote statewide and 63 percent in Jasper, to defeat Bill Stephens and assure that the secretary of state’s job remains in feminine hands.

The only other statewide primary saw Gary Black defeat Brian Kemp to win the Republican nomination to face veteran Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irwin, who was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Mr. Black’s margin was 60 percent statewide, 70 percent in Jasper.
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In the only congressional runoff contest, controversial U.S. Rep. Cynthia McKinney, whose district once included Jasper, was defeated in the Fourth Congressional District Democratic by Henry C. Johnson, Jr. Because of that race the turnout in the Fourth District was tops in the state, reportedly in the neighborhood of 20 percent in most precincts.

In Jasper only 569 voters, or fewer than 10 percent of those registered, participated in the runoffs. Come November voters interest presumably will be peaked by a lively gubernatorial campaign and legislative races that include both of Jasper’s representatives in the General Assembly.

Additionally there will be a special nonpartisan election for Monticello mayor pro tem (see related story) and school board races.