In 9th District, Graves, Hawkins appear headed for runoff -- again

AJC:

With 85 percent of precincts reporting as of about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, Graves had 48.4 percent of the vote while Hawkins had 27.4 percent. Businessman Steve Tarvin was in third place with 15.1 percent.

Hawkins said he feels good about his chances in the Aug. 10 runoff.

“We are in this race for the same reason we got into it a year ago and that is to represent -- honestly and with integrity -- the people of the 9th District,” he said. “We will just keep going.”

Graves said he was ready for another showdown.

“As soon as I get back in town from D.C. I will be back on the trail and 21 days to go,” Graves said.

No Democrats have qualified to get on the November ballot. So whoever wins the Republican nomination will most likely head to Congress.

Last month, Graves decisively defeated Hawkins in a special election runoff with 56 percent of the vote. Graves carried 12 of the 15 counties in the 9th District, including Forsyth County. Hawkins, of Gainesville, won only Dawson, Hall and Lumpkin counties.

Hawkins said he focused on building support in the counties he lost in that election. And he repeatedly went on the offensive in his bare-knuckle contest with the congressman, attacking Graves’ business dealings.

Posted via email from Jim Nichols for Senate Blog