I'm writing to my friends in the 12th U.S. House District to ask that they vote for my friend, John Stone, in the Republican primary July 15.

I can remember hearing John's voice on the radio on WBBQ as the news announcer when I was a little girl. The first time I met him in person was on Charlie Norwood's first re-election campaign in 1996. Back then, I was still in high school, but I had an inkling that I might like to go to Washington, D.C., and work in Congress. John helped to foster that dream in me, and through him, I learned much of what I know about political communications.

But it was his talent with words -- his knack for transforming complex legislation into language that everyday people can understand -- that most impressed me. There is no one who does that better than John. For 14 years, John worked for eastern Georgia members of Congress. Not only did John work for Charlie, he and I worked together for Max Burns. John has a unique understanding of the area and its needs because of his work history. And unlike any other person in his primary race, John's experience means that he can start tomorrow as the congressman without a huge learning curve.

John is also from the area. He's a graduate of Richmond Academy and the University of Georgia. He and his wife have six daughters together, and you can't meet a nicer couple.

Please vote for the Augustan, John Stone, on July 15.

Holly Croft, Evans