Voters in Georgia’s Ninth Congressional District head to the polls tomorrow to choose a new member of Congress.
Eight candidates are vying to replace Nathan Deal, a Republican who resigned to run for governor in November – one Democrat, Mike Freeman of Gainesville; one independent, Eugene Moon of Gainesville; and six Republicans – Chris Cates of Blairsville; Tom Graves of Ranger; Lee Hawkins of Gainesville; Bert Loftman of Jasper; Bill Stephens of Cumming; and Steve Tarvin of Chickamauga.
According to The Gainesville Times, Freeman has withdrawn from the race. However, his name will still appear on Tuesday’s ballot.
Tuesday’s election is non-partisan. If none of the candidates receive more than 50 percent of the vote, a runoff election is scheduled for June 8.
The district includes all or portions of Catoosa, Dade, Dawson, Fannin, Gilmer, Hall, Lumpkin, Murray, Pickens, Union, Walker, White, Whitfield, and portions of Forsyth and Gordon counties north of Atlanta.
Deal had held the seat since 1992. He announced his resignation in March, but then decided to stay in office until after Congress voted on the controversial health care bill.
