Vote early now for Tuesday's special 10th District election

Early voting began Monday for the June 19 special election to fillthe seat of the late seven-term Congressman Charlie Norwood in the U.S. 10th Congressional District. The early voting continues this week until Friday at 5 p.m. Polls will be open across Wilkes County from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 19, for election day voting.

There will be no voting next Monday, June 18.

The race to replace Norwood, who died in February following a battle with cancer and lung disease, brought out six Republicans, three Democrats, and a Libertarian. The number of candidates makes it likely that a runoff will be needed to determine a winner. If no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote, a runoff will be held on July 17.

The 10th Congressional District, which spans northeast Georgia from Augusta to Commerce, leans heavily Republican which gives former state Sen. Jim Whitehead of Evans frontrunner status. As the only Georgia legislator in the race, Whitehead has gained endorsements from many district newspapers and the GOP party establishment.

Whitehead has also raised far more money than any of the other candidates, according to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) last week. He reported raising $577,000 through the end of May, more than double the $202,000 raised by the next largest fundraiser, Republican Paul Broun of Athens. Broun is seen as giving Whitehead the best run for his money with high name recognition as the son of a popular former state senator.

Whitehead and Broun have been the most active campaigners in Wilkes County, courting voters at breakfasts sponsored by local supporters. Republican Bill Greene campaigned in the county Monday in a sweep across several cities, and Eric Underwood has also visited.

The leading Democratic candidate is former Yahoo sales executive James Marlow, who has received the support of district Democratic leaders. Other Democrats in the field are Evita Paschall of Evans and Denise Freeman of Lincoln County.

Since Whitehead gave up his seat in the state Senate to run for Congress, Tuesday's ballot will also include a special election to replace Whitehead in the state Senate. Four candidates for the District 24 seat will be on that ballot: former Whitehead campaign manager Brett McGuire of Appling, Lee Benedict of Augusta, William (Bill) Jackson of Appling, all Republicans, and a single Democratic candidate, Scott C. Nichols of Evans.

All together, the election will be held in

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