CQ TODAY
Aug. 16, 2007 – 4:54 p.m.
Democrat Files to Challenge Rep. Broun in
Georgia’s 10th
By Rachel Kapochunas, CQ Staff
Less than one month after his upset victory in Georgia’s
10th district, Republican Rep. Paul Broun has drawn his
first Democratic challenger for the seat.
Broun had beaten former State Sen. Jim Whitehead, also a
Republican, in a July 17 special election runoff to replace
Republican Rep. Charlie Norwood, who died of cancer in
February. The all-GOP contest came about because the two had
topped a 10-person field in a June special election, with
Broun coming in second and narrowly edging out Democrat
James Marlow.
Democrat Bobby Saxon filed a statement of candidacy with the
Federal Election Commission this week to run for his party’s
nomination in the 10th next fall. Saxon called the special
election “disappointing” and told CQPolitics.com on
Wednesday, “I just did not feel either one of them truly
represents the district and represents the average citizen
in the district, and I know they don’t represent me.”
“I just felt like I could no longer sit on the sidelines,”
he said.
This is Saxon’s first run for political office, but he has
been involved in local politics as the chairman of the
Jackson County Democrats. Saxon is also a small business
owner and a veteran of the Iraq war.
Saxon served in the Army National Guard when he was younger
and had spent 11 years out of the military when the Sept.
11, 2001 terrorist attacks took place and “changed
everything” for Saxon, he said.
“Nine-eleven had a massive impact on me, like it did most
people in the country,” Saxon said. “I had been out of the
military for 11 years, and within three days I started the
process to re-enter the military.”
At the age of 39, Saxon reentered the National Guard and was
mobilized a year later.
Saxon said he felt “fortunate” that his unit was mobilized
to Iraq where he could “do good things for our country,” and
he decided overseas that when he returned, he would be “more
aggressively involved” in making the country a better place.
“So this is the opportunity that I’m taking,” Saxon said of
his congressional bid.
Saxon declined to discuss his platform, but cited general
areas such as the war in Iraq, health care, homeland
security, immigration and education as issues “near and
dear” to his heart. Saxon added that he will reveal more
details about his campaign after his formal announcement
Aug. 25.
Saxon said he strongly believes in “giving people a hand
up,” a principle he said is one reason why he identifies
with the Democratic Party.
“I think the philosophy of helping people in need and
standing up for people’s individual rights is something that
the Democratic Party represents much better than the
Republican Party,” Saxon said.
Saxon said he speaks from personal experience when
discussing the issue of helping people in need. When Saxon
was 8 years old, his family was left in financial duress
when Saxon’s father died. Though he said they were
“certainly” qualified to receive public assistance, his
family never did.
Saxon described himself as a “God-fearing patriot” and a
Democrat that “drives a truck,” owns guns and hunts.
Appealing to Republicans is a virtually necessary strategy
for any Democrat running in the 10th. Marlow actively
campaigned for Republican votes by playing up his business
background and fiscally conservative viewpoints. A section
of his campaign Web site was titled: “Why Republicans Should
Vote For Me.”
The Republicans are favored to hold the 10th, given its
right-leaning demographics. The northeastern district was
redrawn in 2005 by the Republican-lead state legislature and
some Democratic areas surrounding Athens and the University
of Georgia were added at that time. But reapportioned
numbers show that the 10th would have supported President
Bush with 65 percent in 2004 and it remains strongly
Republican turf.
But state Democratic Party Communications Director Martin
Matheny believes Marlow’s strong showing in the special
election will encourage district Democrats to become
involved in politics. He added that state Democrats are
re-energized now that Democrats hold a majority in the House
and Senate and a competitive presidential election is in
store for 2008.
Matheny added that Broun can expect some strong competition
from the Democratic Party next year. “Democrats really do
want to challenge that seat again,” Matheny said.
The possibility remains that Broun also will receive a
challenge from the right after Augusta-area Republicans were
unable to help their favored candidate, Whitehead, achieve
victory.Reprinted from
CQPolitics.com,
http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000002572540
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News... |
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02/25/2008
"Bobby calls "Hogwash on the doctor" |
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*
02/15/2007
"Bobby believes you should spend your own money" |
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01/25/2008
"Bobby Saxon to fight the real fight for Georgia's
children" |
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10/15/2007
"Saxon raises over $44,000 in four weeks setting record in
GA-10" |
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09/26/2007
"What will Dr. Broun do for you? Not much if you're a Georgia
child in need of healthcare" |
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08/25/2007
"Bobby Saxon Announces Candidacy for United States Congress" |
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08/21/2007 "Broun's first challenger emerges" -
Athens Banner Herald |
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08/16/2007 "Democrat Files to challenge Rep.
Broun in Georgia's 10th" - CQPolitics.com |
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* More News... |
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