Two Georgia House races appear headed to runoffs

ATLANTA - John Barrow bested three competitors Tuesday night and will be the Democratic contender for the District 12 Congressional seat.

Mr. Barrow, an Athens attorney, will face off with Republican Rep. Max Burns in November.

Mr. Barrow led most of the night in the district, which runs from Athens to Augusta to Savannah, followed by Sen. Doug Haines in early returns.

The 12th District is being closely watched by national Democrats because they see it as their best chance in Georgia to knock off a GOP incumbent.

One of the most expensive races, in the north Atlanta suburbs, was fought by seven Republicans seeking the seat vacated by Rep. Johnny Isakson.

State Sens. Tom Price and Robert Lamutt were the top vote-getters in early returns. Sen. Chuck Clay was in third. No one appeared close to getting a majority, necessary to avoid a runoff.

In a heavily Democratic district east of Atlanta, former Rep. Cynthia McKinney led in her comeback bid for the seat she lost two years ago. The woman who beat her, Rep. Denise Majette, left the seat in search of the Senate seat vacated by retiring Democratic Sen. Zell Miller.

With 141 of 184 precincts reporting, Ms. McKinney was at 49 percent, shy of the majority.

Behind Ms. McKinney in the DeKalb County race were state Sen. Liane Levetan and Cathy Woolard, former Atlanta City Council president. Ms. Woolard is seeking to become the first openly gay legislator elected to federal office from the South.

And in a Republican-rich district south of Atlanta, state Rep. Lynn Westmoreland led the race in early returns, followed by former President Bush aide Dylan Glenn. Ms. Westmoreland hovered near the 50 percent mark needed to avoid an Aug. 10 runoff.

Democratic Rep. David Scott, who holds a suburban Atlanta district, handily defeated challenger William Ogletree with no Republican challenger in the fall. With 102 of 165 precincts reporting, Mr. Scott led Mr. Ogletree 82 percent to 18 percent.