ATLANTA - With Democratic incumbents holding all but two of Georgia's constitutional offices, Republican hopefuls crowded the primary ballot Tuesday for a chance to break into state government. <br>
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The Republican race for secretary of state was among the most diverse with a white man, a black man and a Hispanic woman, campaigning to face Democratic incumbent Cathy Cox. Vernadette Ramirez Broyles is among the first Hispanics to seek statewide office. She faced Jerry Wyatt and Charlie Bailey, who lost bids in 1996 and 1998 for the position. <br>
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Three Republicans from north Georgia hoped to find enough support to challenge well-funded Mark Taylor in the lieutenant governor's race. Instead of taking shots at each other, candidates Mike Beatty, Al Bartell and Steve Stancil focused on attacking Taylor. <br>
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The only open race was for state school superintendent, as six Democrats and two Republicans promised to do a better job than Republican Linda Schrenko, who is running for governor. Joe Martin, Barbara Christmas, Theresa Bay, Larry Wayne McNorton, Phyllis Lowther Turner and Peyton Williams Junior, ran for the Democratic bid. Republican legislators Kathy Cox and Mitchell Kaye faced off for the GOP one.
