Several Republicans weighing challenge to Barrow | The Augusta Chronicle

Augusta attorney Wright McLeod, who sought the GOP nomination in a crowded primary last year, said he’s “on the fence” about running for the House seat again. He suspects Barrow will be even tougher to beat in 2014.

He sees only one upshot to Barrow seeking re-election to the House: “Hopefully it’ll keep some Republican candidates on the sidelines.”

State Sen. Tommie Wil­liams, a Republican from Lyons, said he’s “seriously looking” at the race, though he questions whether it’s worth going to Washington amid the current partisan gridlock.

John Stone, a veteran Repub­lican aide on Capitol Hill who worked for late Rep. Charlie Norwood and former Rep. Max Burns, has resigned as chief of staff to Texas Rep. John Carter so he can run for Barrow’s seat. He ran in the old 12th District in 2008 and lost to Barrow by 32 percentage points.

Stone confirmed he’s been calling McLeod and other potential GOP candidates and asking them to stand down and leave him unopposed.

Augusta businessman Rick W. Allen, who also might run again for Barrow’s seat after an unsuccessful GOP primary campaign last year, wasn’t too impressed with Stone’s offer.

“It was a shocker because, frankly, John Barrow beat John Stone by 32 points last time,” Allen said.

“And I asked him, ‘How do you think you’re going to do better this time?’ ”

via Several Republicans weighing challenge to Barrow | The Augusta Chronicle.