Susan Holmes, Lewis Rice Win Here; Republicans Sweep State and Nation

Jasper voters Tuesday enthusiastically joined those over the state and much of the nation in a sweep that insured that state government will remain solidly in Republican hands as will the U.S. House of Representatives, which will include a new member in the seat previously held by veteran Democrat Jim Marshall, Jasper’s representative.

Closer to home voters joined in sending a hometown candidate to the Georgia Legislature as former Monticello Mayor Susan Holmes handily defeated Democratic challenger David Gault for the 125th House District vacated this year by Jim Cole, also a Republican. Mrs. Holmes’ victory puts a Jasper resident in the General Assembly for the first time in recent history.

Jasper’s Republican voice in the State Senate remained with Johnny Grant, who handily defeated Democratic challenger Floyd Griffin for the 25th Senatorial District seat. Elsewhere in Georgia, the GOP ruled the day, keeping not only the legislature but also virtually all top state elected officials in Republican hands.

Nathan Deal edged out former Gov. Roy Barnes to win the governorship in one of the more hotly contested races—though the margin wasn’t close in Jasper. Other constitutional offices in the Capitol, including three that had been occupied by Democrats, went to the GOP by comfortable margins. Similarly U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson coasted to victory over former Democratic labor commissioner Michael Thurmond.

Rep Marshall, a Macon resident, lost his Eighth Congressional District seat to Austin Scott by a 53-47 percent margin. Another Georgia Democrat, Rep. Sanford Bishop, was clinging to his Second District seat by a shaky 1 percent margin over Mike Keown early Wednesday.

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Locally voters approved two referendums liberalizing alcoholic beverage laws. By a margin of 2,322-1,864, or 55 percent they approved the sale of beer and wine on Sunday. The sale of liquor by the drink was approved by a 60 percent margin, 2,495-1662. Both apply to sales in restaurants only.

In School Board races, Bobby Norris keeps his District 1 seat with a 461-159 victory over Toyoir Smith-West, and Lewis Rice won the District 5 seat 364-331 over Joy Wild. Dr. Shannon T, Barton was unopposed for the District 3 seat.

Of five proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot Jasper joined in passing all but one—a proposal to put a $10 tax on license tags to support trauma centers was rejected by 53 percent of the statewide electorate and 51 percent of those in Jasper. While the other four appeared to be passing, one to allow multi-year financing of transportation projects had only a razor-thin approval margin with 96 percent of precincts reporting.

Leaders in two contested judicial races lacked a majority and thus will have to be settled in a statewide runoff on Nov. 30. Justice David Nahmias led in his re-election bid but fell short of a majority and will face Tammy Lynn Adkins in the runoff. In a six-way race for a Court of vacancy Chris McFadden led the ticket and presumably will face either Antoinette Davis or David N. Schaeffer in a runoff.

Jasper had a remarkably strong turnout for a mid-term election with nearly 56 percent of 7.672 eligible voters casting ballots. Weather was good and poll voters reported no significant problems.