ATLANTA --- Political hopefuls and experienced officeholders fired opening shots Monday in some of the highest-profile political races this year as candidates trekked to the state Capitol to qualify for the 2008 campaign.
Several Democrats have already lined up to challenge U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., and one qualified Monday: former Human Resources Commissioner Jim Martin, who promptly moved to tie Mr. Chambliss to President Bush, whose popularity ratings are at near-historic lows.
But Mr. Chambliss said anyone who tried to say he was too closely tied to President Bush wasn't looking at the senator's record.
"I have agreed with the president when I think he's right," Mr. Chambliss said. "But there are issues we disagree on. ... If that's the worst anybody can say about me, I'd say I'm in pretty good shape."
Meanwhile, the state Democratic Party highlighted Army veterans who will run in congressional districts, including the Athens-centered 10th District.
Bobby Saxon, running in the 10th District, said he would set a different tone for his campaign than the already bitter rhetoric flying between U.S. Rep. Paul Broun, R-Athens, and his primary challenger, state House Majority Whip Barry Fleming, R-Harlem.
"We're already seeing them be very partisan and very mean with standard, bad politics out there," Mr. Saxon said. "And I don't want to be that way. And I don't think that Americans in this country want that kind of representation, either."
Mr. Broun and Mr. Fleming traded shots Monday, with the incumbent saying he would try to steer clear of a tit-for-tat with his challenger.
"It's going to be very negative," Mr. Broun said. "I'm not going to get in the pigpen with him."
But Mr. Fleming said he had done nothing more than highlight Mr. Broun's brief history in Congress since winning a special election last year to complete the term of the late Charlie Norwood.
"The only comments I've made about Congressman Broun (concern) his own voting record," Mr. Fleming said. "And if he thinks his own voting record is negative, then well, I'll let him explain that to the people of the 10th district."
Lee Anderson, of Grovetown, and Brett McGuire, of Appling, both qualified in the GOP primary for Mr. Fleming's seat.
Walter C. Jones contributed to this report.
Reach Brandon Larrabee at (678) 977-3709 or brandon.larrabee@morris.com.
RICHMOND COUNTY
In Richmond County, qualifying for the July 15 primary election opened Monday with six Democrats signing up to run for Richmond County offices.
Sheriff Ronnie Strength, one of five incumbents, qualified to run for his third four-year term. Other incumbents qualifying at Democratic Party headquarters were Clerk of Superior Court Elaine Johnson; Chief Judge of Civil and Magistrate Court William D. Jennings III; Presiding Judge of Civil and Magistrate Court H. Scott Allen; and Probate Court Judge Isaac Jolles.
Former Augusta Commissioner Tommy Boyles qualified to run for tax commissioner.
Richmond County school board member A.K. Hasan qualified to challenge state Rep. Gloria Frazier in the Democratic primary.
"It's just a continuation of something I've wanted to do since the 1980s," Mr. Hasan said.
Qualifying will continue from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. through Thursday and 9 a.m. until noon Friday at the local Democratic Party headquarters at 11th and Greene streets and at Republican Party Chairman Sherry Barnes' office at 505 Courthouse Lane.
No Republicans qualified Monday in Richmond County.
-- From staff reports
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