Barrow Journal

Calling the results of Tuesday’s statewide election a victory for the Republican Party would be an understatement. Republicans won and they won big as they swept all the top state offices.

Republican Nathan Deal avoided a runoff despite concerns that former governor Roy Barnes and Libertarian candidate John Monds would secure enough of the vote to prevent Deal from winning outright.

Unofficial returns show Deal with 53 percent of the vote compared to Barnes’ 43 percent and Monds’ four percent.

Deal’s victory capped off a string of Republican victories statewide and put the GOP firmly in control of next year’s critical redistricting process. [Full Story »] 

Several amendments to Georgia’s constitution are on the November ballot. These amendments cover topics ranging from business contracts to trauma care. This year’s ballot also includes a statewide referendum relating to taxation of business inventories.

COMPETITIVE CONTRACTS

Constitutional amendment 1 relates to non-competition contracts executed between employees and their employers, partnerships and partners and others. Specifically, the ballot question asks “Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to make Georgia more economically competitive by authorizing legislation to uphold reasonable competitive agreements?”

If passed, this amendment would allow the courts to not only enforce contracts that reasonably restrict competition during or after the term of employment, but would also allow the courts to modify contracts “to achieve the intent of the contracting parties.” Examples of contracts covered under this amendment would include those that prevent an employee from competing with an employer after termination of employment and agreements by sellers not to compete with a seller’s customer. [Full Story »] 

The polls are now closed for the August 10 runoff election.

Locally, Republican voters were asked to decide between Shane Coley and Frank Ginn in the State Senate 47 race and between Jody Hice and Rob Woodall for the 7th U.S. Congressional District.

Statewide, voters chose today between Republicans Nathan Deal and Karen Handel for the gubernatorial nomination. The winner will face Roy Barnes in November. [Full Story »] 

Next Tuesday, voters will head back to the polls to settle several area and state races.

Locally, Republican voters will decide between Shane Coley and Frank Ginn in the State Senate 47 race and between Jody Hice and Rob Woodall for the 7th U.S. Congressional District.

Statewide, voters will choose between Republicans Nathan Deal and Karen Handel for the gubernatorial nomination. The winner will face Roy Barnes in November. Barnes secured the Democratic nomination outright with 65 percent of his party’s vote. [Full Story »] 

Early and absentee voting for the August 10 runoff is scheduled to begin Monday, August 2. [Full Story »] 

State Senate 47 candidates Shane Coley and Frank Ginn have been invited to participate in two radio broadcast interviews in advance of the August 10 Republican runoff. [Full Story »]