Hall County Elections

Nathan and Sandra Deal arrived at Wauka Mountain Multiple Intelligences Academy ( Wauka Mountain Elementary School) this morning ready to take the next step in Mr. Deal's quest for the job of Georgia's next Governor: voting.

Local races are on the ballots in six counties in the immediate Gainesville area Tuesday but most attention will be on the runoff between Nathan Deal and Karen Handel for the Republican gubernatorial nomination.

Early voting began in Hall County today for the August 10 runoffs.

Republicans hoping to run for four Georgia congressional seats have similar views on immigration, taxes and health care, so a debate on Sunday was more about mudslinging and personal attacks.

The vote for the Hall County Commission, Post 1 seat showed how three uniquely different candidates could hold broad appeal. Incumbent Bobby Banks, former Flowery Branch City Council member Craig Lutz, and newcomer Kimbo Senter all held their own in a hotly, but quietly, contested south Hall County election.

Nathan Deal has won the second Republican runoff spot in the race for governor.

While most Georgians will be going to the polls for the first time on Tuesday, for many voters in north Georgia it will be their third trip to the polls already this year.

Cobb and Fulton counties were tops in the state in early voting totals as the 45-day period came to close Friday.

State Senator Butch Miller, who is seeking a full term in next Tuesday's Republican Primary, has picked up the endorsement of the Hall County Education Association.

As a week of qualifying for the non-partisan races that will be on the ballot in Georgia in November continues, two judges in the Gainesville-based Northeastern Judicial Circuit have qualified for re-election.