From News Services and Staff Reports
Wednesday, July 16, 2008

ATLANTA, July 15 -- Rep. John Lewis easily triumphed Tuesday in his first Democratic primary fight in 16 years, turning back two challengers on an election night in Georgia dominated by congressional incumbents.

Eight of Georgia's 13 House members won their party's nomination without a fight, and incumbents won easily in four of the five contested races. Only Rep. David Scott (D), in the 13th District, had much of a battle on his hands, and he finished with 64 percent of the vote to 36 percent for Donzella James.

The novelty of Lewis, a 21-year incumbent, drawing primary opposition made that race notable, but he had little trouble defeating the Rev. Markel Hutchins and state Rep. Mable Thomas. Lewis had 69 percent of the vote in his Atlanta district; Hutchins was second with 16 percent. No Republican ran for nomination in the district.

In central Georgia, Rep. Jim Marshall (D) cruised past Macon teacher Robert Nowak. Rep. John Barrow (D) defeated state Sen. Regina Thomas in the east by roughly the same margin as in their 2006 primary contest, and Rep. Paul Broun (R) trounced Barry Fleming in the northeast. Fleming, a lawyer and high-ranking state legislator, was well funded and was backed by the state GOP establishment, but he drew only 29 percent of the vote.

Meanwhile, DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer Vernon Jones and former state lawmaker Jim Martin will need a runoff to decide which of the Georgia Democrats will challenge Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R), who was unopposed, in November.

In Alabama, Huntsville insurance executive Wayne Parker won a Republican runoff for one of two open U.S. House seats. State Rep. Jay Love (R) of Montgomery won the other race.