GOP Senate candidates fight for nomination | Latest News | Columbus Ledger Enquirer

Each of Georgia’s seven Republican U.S. Senate hopefuls tried to stand out from the pack during a debate Saturday night at Columbus’ RiverCenter for the Performing Arts.

But apart from Cobb County patent attorney Art Gardner, who was quick to stake out his ground as the moderate in the race, they seemed much in agreement on most issues, particularly on repealing Obamacare.

“Government has no business in health care,” said Derrick Grayson, a minister, when asked about the Affordable Care Act. The legislation should be repealed so states deal with private insurers themselves, he said.

Former Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel called the law an “$800 billion tax” that’s crushing jobs.

Congressman Jack Kingston said health care constitutes a sixth of the U.S. economy and should not be under government control.

The law should be repealed and programs for tax-free health savings accounts expanded, he said.

Business executive David Perdue said he and his wife recently got notice of new insurance requirements that included maternity care, though they’re well past their child-rearing years.

“Now if my wife has a baby today, we’ve got a real issue,” he joked.

Congressman Paul Broun said the law should be “ripped out by its root.”

Congressman Phil Gingrey said he publicly pledged to make repealing Obamacare a priority, proving he had “skin in the game” on the heath care issue.

Even Gardner, the centrist, said, “Obamacare is awful and needs to be repealed.”

He also said U.S. patent laws are making Americans pay more for prescription drugs than residents in other countries and should be altered to even the playing field.