With 91% of the vote in , we can safely say Vernon Jones and Jim Martin are headed for a runoff. Jones has 39 % of the vote to Martin 's 35%. up to the minute results from GA SOS
We at The Progressive Electorate are endorsing Jim Martin in the Georgia Senate Primary Runoff. Please read our diary and if you see fit contribute a few bucks on our Two for Tuesdays page
Vernon Jones has been described as very talented as a politican. He also has serious character flaws, many of which we knew nothing about until reading up on him tonight.
Read what the Atlanta Journal Constitution wrote about Jones,
During his controversial tenure as county executive, Jones has twice been accused of physical confrontations with women, with one case ending only after Jones wrote two apologies to a fellow county official "for the language I used and/or for my conduct toward you, which I now realize was inappropriate and which I now acknowledge has no place in the conduct of our personal and professional affairs."
In a third case, Jones was accused of rape. His defense —- that sexual acts between himself and two women had been consensual, not forced —- does not engender confidence in a senatorial candidate. (The charge was later dropped at the request of the alleged victim, who continued to stick by her version of events.)
Voters in a Democratic primary might also question the wisdom of nominating a man who has acknowledged voting for President Bush in 2000 and again in 2004. Having Jones at the top of the Democratic ticket statewide would not just harm the hopes of candidates for lesser office, it would taint the Georgia campaign of presidential nominee Barack Obama as well.
From what I've read of Martin he will present a much more credible challenge to Saxby Chambliss. Martin is a Vietnam Veteran and is an Attorney and former legislator.
Even if you do not think Martin can win, it is worth helping him out so that Vernon Jones will not be on the ticket in the fall. It seems that the more people find out about Jones the less they like him.
Also we point out that Jones largest margins were not in the Atlanta areas but in the Savannah and Augusta areas where racial voting may have been more prevalent and where voters do not have knowledge of his character and voting for Bush. Jones only leads DeKalb county by 4,000 votes although he was about 7,000 votes ahead of Martin in Richmond (Augusta) and 6,000 votes in Chatham (Savannah). Once these voters find out more about Jones it should be over.
But we need your help to make sure that Jones is not on the ballot in November. Please dig deep and donate a few bucks to help Jim Martin and Georgia.