United States House of Representatives elections in Georgia, 2012
Encyclopedia
The 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Georgia will be held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012 to elect the 14 U.S. Representatives
from the state, one from each of the state's 14 congressional districts, an increase of one seat following the 2010 United States Census. The elections will coincide with the elections of other federal and state offices, including a quadrennial presidential election
.
The new congressional map, drawn and passed by the Republican-controlled Georgia General Assembly
, was signed into law by Governor Nathan Deal
on September 7, 2011. The new district, numbered the 9th, is based in Hall County
. The map also makes the 12th district
, currently represented by Democrat
John Barrow
, much more favorable to Republicans
.
has represented Georgia's 2nd congressional district
since 1993. In redistricting, the 2nd district was made majority-African American
and Macon
was moved from the 8th district
to the 2nd.
since 1987, will run for re-election. Former Fulton County
superior court
judge Michael Johnson will challenge Lewis in the Democratic primary.
External links
since 2005, is expected to seek re-election. In redistricting, the 6th district was made slightly less favorable to Republicans: Cherokee County
was removed from the district, while parts of DeKalb County
were added to it.
was first elected to represent Georgia's 8th congressional district
in 2010. In redistricting, Macon
was moved from the 8th district to the 2nd
, thereby making the 8th district more favorable to Republicans.
Jim Marshall, the Democrat who represented the 8th district from its establishment in 2007 until 2011, and previously represented the 3rd district from 2003 until 2007, said in January 2011 "I don't know if I will or I won't run again – I won't preclude it." DuBose Porter
, a Democrat and the minority leader of the Georgia House of Representatives
, will not run.
is centered around Gainesville
and has no incumbent. State representative
Doug Collins and conservative radio talk show
host Martha Zoller
will run for the Republican nomination. Hunter Bicknell, the chair of the Jackson County
Commission; State senator Jim Butterworth; state senator Bill Cowsert; and Clifton McDuffie, the former chief executive officer
of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce
, may also seek the Republican nomination. Lieutenant governor
Casey Cagle
will not run.
External links
has been represented by Republican Paul Broun
since 2007. Stephen Simpson, a businessman and retired Army
officer
, will challenge Broun in the Republican primary. Former U.S. Representative Mac Collins
, who represented the 3rd district
from 1993 until 2003 and the 8th district
from 2003 until 2005; may also seek the Republican nomination.
External links
was removed from Georgia's 12th congressional district
and replaced with the Augusta
area, thereby making the district more favorable to Republicans. The former 12th district gave 55 per cent of its vote in the 2008 presidential election
to Democratic nominee, whereas only 40 per cent of the new district's voters voted for Obama. Incumbent Democrat John Barrow, who has represented the 12th district since 2005, will seek re-election.
Businessman Rick Allen; state representative
Lee Anderson; and Wright McLeod, a real estate
lawyer and retired Navy
commander
, will seek the Republican nomination. Former U.S. Representative Max Burns; state senator Buddy Carter; state representative
Ben Harbin; Tea Party
activist
Jeanne Seaver, who unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination in the 12th district in 2010; and Maria Sheffield, who unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for state insurance commissioner in 2010, may seek the Republican nomination. State senator Tommie Williams, the senate's president pro tempore
, said in August 2011 that he was not considering seeking the Republican nomination to challenge Barrow.
External links
includes almost all of northwestern Georgia. Republican Tom Graves
, who has represented the 9th district since May 2010, lives in this new district. Former U.S. Representative Bob Barr
, who represented the 7th district
from 1995 until 2003 and ran for president
as the Libertarian Party
nominee in 2008
; Jerry Shearin, the former chair of the Paulding County
Commission; and Steve Tarvin, who unsuccessfully challenged Graves in 2010, may challenge Graves in the Republican primary.
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from the state, one from each of the state's 14 congressional districts, an increase of one seat following the 2010 United States Census. The elections will coincide with the elections of other federal and state offices, including a quadrennial presidential election
United States presidential election, 2012
The United States presidential election of 2012 is the next United States presidential election, to be held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012. It will be the 57th quadrennial presidential election in which presidential electors, who will actually elect the President and the Vice President of the United...
.
The new congressional map, drawn and passed by the Republican-controlled Georgia General Assembly
Georgia General Assembly
The Georgia General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is bicameral, being composed of the Georgia House of Representatives and the Georgia Senate....
, was signed into law by Governor Nathan Deal
Nathan Deal
John Nathan Deal is a United States politician, the 82nd and current Governor of Georgia. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as a Democrat in 1992 but switched to the Republican Party in 1995...
on September 7, 2011. The new district, numbered the 9th, is based in Hall County
Hall County, Georgia
Hall County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. In 2000, the population was 139,277. It is included in the Gainesville, Georgia, Metropolitan Statistical Area...
. The map also makes the 12th district
Georgia's 12th congressional district
Georgia's 12th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Georgia covering much of the east central parts of the state. From the city of Augusta it runs southeast, along the state's border with South Carolina, to the city of Savannah, taking in such cities as...
, currently represented by Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
John Barrow
John Barrow (U.S. politician)
John Jenkins Barrow is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2005. He is a member of the Democratic Party.The district stretches along the eastern portion of the state, from Augusta to Savannah.-Early life, education and career:...
, much more favorable to Republicans
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
.
District 2
Democratic incumbent Sanford BishopSanford Bishop
Sanford Dixon Bishop Jr. is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1993. He is a member of the Democratic Party.The district is located in the southwestern part of the state and includes Albany, Thomasville and most of Columbus....
has represented Georgia's 2nd congressional district
Georgia's 2nd congressional district
Georgia's 2nd congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Georgia. One of the largest districts by size, it takes in most of the southwestern fourth of the state of Georgia...
since 1993. In redistricting, the 2nd district was made majority-African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
and Macon
Macon, Georgia
Macon is a city located in central Georgia, US. Founded at the fall line of the Ocmulgee River, it is part of the Macon metropolitan area, and the county seat of Bibb County. A small portion of the city extends into Jones County. Macon is the biggest city in central Georgia...
was moved from the 8th district
Georgia's 8th congressional district
Georgia's 8th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Georgia. Located in central Georgia, the district is based in Macon and also includes Warner Robins, Tifton, and Moultrie...
to the 2nd.
District 5
Incumbent Democrat John Lewis, who has represented Georgia's 5th congressional districtGeorgia's 5th congressional district
Georgia's 5th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Georgia. Based in central Fulton and parts of Dekalb and Clayton counties, the heavily African American district includes the state capital and largest city of Atlanta as well as many of the surrounding suburbs...
since 1987, will run for re-election. Former Fulton County
Fulton County, Georgia
Fulton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. Its county seat is Atlanta, the state capital since 1868 and the principal county of the Atlanta metropolitan area...
superior court
Superior court
In common law systems, a superior court is a court of general competence which typically has unlimited jurisdiction with regard to civil and criminal legal cases...
judge Michael Johnson will challenge Lewis in the Democratic primary.
External links
District 6
Incumbent Republican Tom Price, who has represented Georgia's 6th congressional districtGeorgia's 6th congressional district
Georgia's 6th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Georgia. The district consists of many of the northern suburbs of Atlanta and includes eastern Cobb County, northern Fulton County, the Dunwoody area of northern Dekalb County, as well as all of Cherokee County....
since 2005, is expected to seek re-election. In redistricting, the 6th district was made slightly less favorable to Republicans: Cherokee County
Cherokee County, Georgia
As of the census of 2000, there were 141,903 people, 49,495 households, and 39,200 families residing in the county. The population density was 335 people per square mile . There were 51,937 housing units at an average density of 123 per square mile...
was removed from the district, while parts of DeKalb County
DeKalb County, Georgia
DeKalb County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The population of the county was 691,893 at the 2010 census. Its county seat is the city of Decatur. It is bordered to the west by Fulton County and contains roughly 10% of the city of Atlanta...
were added to it.
District 8
Republican incumbent Austin ScottAustin Scott (politician)
James Austin Scott is the U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Republican Party.-Early life, education, and career:...
was first elected to represent Georgia's 8th congressional district
Georgia's 8th congressional district
Georgia's 8th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Georgia. Located in central Georgia, the district is based in Macon and also includes Warner Robins, Tifton, and Moultrie...
in 2010. In redistricting, Macon
Macon, Georgia
Macon is a city located in central Georgia, US. Founded at the fall line of the Ocmulgee River, it is part of the Macon metropolitan area, and the county seat of Bibb County. A small portion of the city extends into Jones County. Macon is the biggest city in central Georgia...
was moved from the 8th district to the 2nd
Georgia's 2nd congressional district
Georgia's 2nd congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Georgia. One of the largest districts by size, it takes in most of the southwestern fourth of the state of Georgia...
, thereby making the 8th district more favorable to Republicans.
Jim Marshall, the Democrat who represented the 8th district from its establishment in 2007 until 2011, and previously represented the 3rd district from 2003 until 2007, said in January 2011 "I don't know if I will or I won't run again – I won't preclude it." DuBose Porter
DuBose Porter
DuBose Porter is a Democratic member of the Georgia House of Representatives, representing the 143rd district since being elected in 1982. He is currently Minority Leader in the House. He was previously Administration Floor Leader for Governor Zell Miller from 1991 through 1992...
, a Democrat and the minority leader of the Georgia House of Representatives
Georgia House of Representatives
The Georgia House of Representatives is the lower house of the Georgia General Assembly of the U.S. state of Georgia.-Composition:...
, will not run.
District 9
In redistricting, the new 9th districtGeorgia's 9th congressional district
Georgia's 9th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Georgia. The district contains many of the mountainous counties in the northern part of the state along the Appalachian Range and includes Gainesville...
is centered around Gainesville
Gainesville, Georgia
-Severe Weather:Gainesville sits on the very fringe of Tornado Alley, a region of the United States where severe weather is common. Supercell thunderstorms can sweep through any time between March and November, but are concentrated most in the spring...
and has no incumbent. State representative
Georgia House of Representatives
The Georgia House of Representatives is the lower house of the Georgia General Assembly of the U.S. state of Georgia.-Composition:...
Doug Collins and conservative radio talk show
Talk show
A talk show or chat show is a television program or radio program where one person discuss various topics put forth by a talk show host....
host Martha Zoller
Martha Zoller
Martha Mitchell Zoller is a columnist, author, and state-wide syndicated radio personality on North Georgia's News-Talk station FM 103.7 WXKT which serves the Gainesville metropolitan area, Maysville, and Athens....
will run for the Republican nomination. Hunter Bicknell, the chair of the Jackson County
Jackson County, Georgia
Jackson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The population in 2000 was 41,589. Explosive growth is evident with a population of 63,544 in the 2009 Census estimates. The county seat is Jefferson.-History:...
Commission; State senator Jim Butterworth; state senator Bill Cowsert; and Clifton McDuffie, the former chief executive officer
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce
Chamber of commerce
A chamber of commerce is a form of business network, e.g., a local organization of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to advocate on behalf of the business community...
, may also seek the Republican nomination. Lieutenant governor
Lieutenant Governor of Georgia
The Lieutenant Governor of Georgia is a constitutional officer of the state, elected to a 4-year term by popular vote. Unlike some states, the lieutenant governor is elected on a separate ticket from the state Governor....
Casey Cagle
Casey Cagle
Lowell S. "Casey" Cagle is an American politician currently serving as the 11th Lieutenant Governor of Georgia. He is a member of the Republican Party, a conservative, and a former member of the General Assembly in the U.S. state of Georgia. In 2006, Cagle defeated political activist Ralph...
will not run.
External links
District 10
Georgia's 10th congressional districtGeorgia's 10th congressional district
Georgia's 10th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Georgia. Located in the northeastern part of the state, the district includes the cities of Athens, Evans, Augusta, Watkinsville, and Toccoa...
has been represented by Republican Paul Broun
Paul Broun
Paul Collins Broun, Jr. is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2007. He is a member of the Republican Party and the Tea Party Caucus.-Early life, education and career:...
since 2007. Stephen Simpson, a businessman and retired Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
officer
Officer (armed forces)
An officer is a member of an armed force or uniformed service who holds a position of authority. Commissioned officers derive authority directly from a sovereign power and, as such, hold a commission charging them with the duties and responsibilities of a specific office or position...
, will challenge Broun in the Republican primary. Former U.S. Representative Mac Collins
Mac Collins
Michael Allen "Mac" Collins , American politician, was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from 1993 to 2005, representing the...
, who represented the 3rd district
Georgia's 3rd congressional district
Georgia's 3rd congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Georgia. The district is based in west central Georgia and stretches from Columbus in the south to the southern edge of the Atlanta Metropolitan Area in the north, including Fayette, Coweta, Henry, and Spalding...
from 1993 until 2003 and the 8th district
Georgia's 8th congressional district
Georgia's 8th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Georgia. Located in central Georgia, the district is based in Macon and also includes Warner Robins, Tifton, and Moultrie...
from 2003 until 2005; may also seek the Republican nomination.
External links
District 12
In redistricting, SavannahSavannah, Georgia
Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
was removed from Georgia's 12th congressional district
Georgia's 12th congressional district
Georgia's 12th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Georgia covering much of the east central parts of the state. From the city of Augusta it runs southeast, along the state's border with South Carolina, to the city of Savannah, taking in such cities as...
and replaced with the Augusta
Augusta, Georgia
Augusta is a consolidated city in the U.S. state of Georgia, located along the Savannah River. As of the 2010 census, the Augusta–Richmond County population was 195,844 not counting the unconsolidated cities of Hephzibah and Blythe.Augusta is the principal city of the Augusta-Richmond County...
area, thereby making the district more favorable to Republicans. The former 12th district gave 55 per cent of its vote in the 2008 presidential election
United States presidential election, 2008
The United States presidential election of 2008 was the 56th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on November 4, 2008. Democrat Barack Obama, then the junior United States Senator from Illinois, defeated Republican John McCain, the senior U.S. Senator from Arizona. Obama received 365...
to Democratic nominee, whereas only 40 per cent of the new district's voters voted for Obama. Incumbent Democrat John Barrow, who has represented the 12th district since 2005, will seek re-election.
Businessman Rick Allen; state representative
Georgia House of Representatives
The Georgia House of Representatives is the lower house of the Georgia General Assembly of the U.S. state of Georgia.-Composition:...
Lee Anderson; and Wright McLeod, a real estate
Real estate
In general use, esp. North American, 'real estate' is taken to mean "Property consisting of land and the buildings on it, along with its natural resources such as crops, minerals, or water; immovable property of this nature; an interest vested in this; an item of real property; buildings or...
lawyer and retired Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
commander
Commander (United States)
In the United States, commander is a military rank that is also sometimes used as a military title, depending on the branch of service. It is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the military, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Naval rank:In the United States...
, will seek the Republican nomination. Former U.S. Representative Max Burns; state senator Buddy Carter; state representative
Georgia House of Representatives
The Georgia House of Representatives is the lower house of the Georgia General Assembly of the U.S. state of Georgia.-Composition:...
Ben Harbin; Tea Party
Tea Party movement
The Tea Party movement is an American populist political movement that is generally recognized as conservative and libertarian, and has sponsored protests and supported political candidates since 2009...
activist
Activism
Activism consists of intentional efforts to bring about social, political, economic, or environmental change. Activism can take a wide range of forms from writing letters to newspapers or politicians, political campaigning, economic activism such as boycotts or preferentially patronizing...
Jeanne Seaver, who unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination in the 12th district in 2010; and Maria Sheffield, who unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for state insurance commissioner in 2010, may seek the Republican nomination. State senator Tommie Williams, the senate's president pro tempore
President pro tempore
A President pro tempore is a constitutionally recognized officer of a legislative body who presides over the chamber in the absence of the normal presiding officer...
, said in August 2011 that he was not considering seeking the Republican nomination to challenge Barrow.
External links
District 14
In redistricting, the new 14th districtGeorgia's 14th congressional district
Georgia's 14th congressional district is a new district that will be created as a result of the 2010 Census. The first candidates will run in the 2012 House elections, and be seated for the 113th Congress in 2013....
includes almost all of northwestern Georgia. Republican Tom Graves
Tom Graves
Thomas Edward Graves, Jr. is a former professional American football player who played linebacker for one season for the Pittsburgh Steelers. As a rookie, he won a Super Bowl ring with the Steelers in Super Bowl XIV....
, who has represented the 9th district since May 2010, lives in this new district. Former U.S. Representative Bob Barr
Bob Barr
Robert Laurence "Bob" Barr, Jr. is a former federal prosecutorand a former member of the United States House of Representatives. He represented Georgia's 7th congressional district as a Republican from 1995 to 2003. Barr attained national prominence as one of the leaders of the impeachment of...
, who represented the 7th district
Georgia's 7th congressional district
Georgia's 7th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Georgia. The district includes all of Barrow and Walton counties and portions of Forsyth, Gwinnett, and Newton counties....
from 1995 until 2003 and ran for president
Bob Barr presidential campaign, 2008
The Bob Barr presidential campaign of 2008 began when the former Republican Congressman of Georgia announced his candidacy for the Libertarian Party's presidential nomination on May 12, 2008 after months of grassroots draft efforts...
as the Libertarian Party
Libertarian Party (United States)
The Libertarian Party is the third largest and fastest growing political party in the United States. The political platform of the Libertarian Party reflects its brand of libertarianism, favoring minimally regulated, laissez-faire markets, strong civil liberties, minimally regulated migration...
nominee in 2008
United States presidential election, 2008
The United States presidential election of 2008 was the 56th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on November 4, 2008. Democrat Barack Obama, then the junior United States Senator from Illinois, defeated Republican John McCain, the senior U.S. Senator from Arizona. Obama received 365...
; Jerry Shearin, the former chair of the Paulding County
Paulding County, Georgia
Paulding County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 142,324. The county seat is Dallas....
Commission; and Steve Tarvin, who unsuccessfully challenged Graves in 2010, may challenge Graves in the Republican primary.