ADEL, Ga. — Republicans running for Georgia’s open U.S. Senate seat met Saturday night for their first debate of the year, with the candidates largely agreeing on the need to rein in federal spending and repeal the federal health care law while seeking to highlight their varied experiences.
The debate in south Georgia was the first of seven planned by the state party before the May 20 primary. Seven of the eight Republicans in the race participated in the 90-minute event, held before a crowd of several hundred people in a high school performing arts center.
All are vying for the seat held by Republican U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, who is retiring at the end of the year.
While the candidates agreed on many of the issues, there was a robust effort by some of the candidates to draw a distinction between themselves and the three congressmen who are in the race. They are Republican Reps. Paul Broun of Athens, Phil Gingrey of Marietta and Jack Kingston of Savannah. Gingrey was the only candidate not to appear at the debate, citing a scheduling conflict.
“I thought a lot about getting in this race, and I’m in it because we have a full-blown financial crisis that I believe our career politicians have created,” said former Dollar General and Reebok CEO David Perdue, who is also the cousin of former Gov. Sonny Perdue. “To get different results in Washington, I think we have to send a different kind of person to Washington.”
Former Secretary of State Karen Handel echoed those comments, saying “accommodating Republicans” were also responsible for too many taxes and regulations.
“Career politicians have just kicked the can down the road,” she said, adding her record includes cutting the budget of Fulton County when she served as the county commission chair. “The individuals on this stage who say they have tried, that’s not good enough. I have cut the budget.”
via ADEL, Ga.: GOP Senate candidates meet for 1st debate of 2014 | State News | Macon.com.
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