<p>Former U.S. Rep. Ronald "Bo" Ginn, one of South Georgia's biggest political names of the 1970s and 1980s who made an unsuccessful run for governor in 1982, died Thursday in an Augusta hospital. He was 70.</p><p>Ginn represented Georgia's 1st Congressional District from 1973 to 1983. He lost to Joe Frank Harris in the 1982 Democratic primary for governor, and a conviction for bank fraud about 10 years later ended any thought of a political comeback.</p><p>Ginn died of cancer, according to his close friend, former U.S. Rep. Doug Barnard, who provided details Thursday on behalf of Ginn's family.</p><p>Barnard said Ginn developed cancer about a year ago and was admitted to University Hospital in Augusta late last month.</p><p>"He was a very dedicated individual and was very able," Barnard said. "He represented his district tremendously. He did some things for the district they are still benefiting from."</p><p>Barnard said Ginn was largely responsible for the Navy choosing St. Marys for the King's Bay submarine base and for helping to protect Fort Stewart in Hinesville when its future was in doubt.</p><p>"He was able to influence the Army to make Fort Stewart what it is today," Barnard said, adding that Ginn also helped make possible the rebuilding of the Talmadge Bridge in Savannah.</p><p>Ginn's daughter, Julie Moretz, said Ginn "was more than a politician. He was a public servant."</p><p>"Growing up, what I remember most about his service was truly helping individual folks get assistance that they needed," Moretz said. "That's what made him tick. That's what he loved to do. He wanted to make a difference, and he did."</p><p>When Ginn lost to Joe Frank Harris in the runoff for governor, Lindsay Thomas was elected to succeed Ginn in Congress.</p><p>"To try to fill his shoes was a tremendous task because Bo was one of the most effective members of Congress our state ever had," said Thomas, now a senior vice president for AGL Resources in Atlanta.</p><p>"He was respected on both sides of the aisle."</p><p>Georgia Democratic Party chairman Bobby Kahn said Ginn influenced his decision to enter politics.</p><p>"Bo Ginn was a great congressman and a great public servant," Kahn said. "On a personal note, he was my congressman for many years, and I remember having lunch with him in the Capitol dining room when I was a junior in high school. That conversation helped fuel my love of politics and public service. Bo Ginn will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his many friends and family."</p><p>Ginn was born in Morgan, Ga., but made his home in his late wife Gloria's hometown of Millen.</p><p>He filed for bankruptcy in 1993 and then served time in a federal prison after pleading guilty to bank fraud. He agreed in plea bargaining to a 26-month sentence which was later reduced to 15 months.</p><p>In 1995 he was resentenced to 21 months in prison, less 7 1/2 months for time served, when the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the first sentence was too lenient.</p><p>"Of course it was a tremendous blow to him but I think he was able to overcome it and he served his time and was very remorseful about the incident," Barnard said.</p><p>Ginn rebounded to launch his Ginn and Eddington lobbying firm in Washington, representing mostly defense industries.</p><p>Ginn and his wife moved to Augusta to be near their children. Gloria Ginn died of cancer about six years ago, Barnard said.</p><p>Ginn attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton and Georgia Southern in Statesboro. A teacher, businessman and cattle farmer, Ginn began his political career as an administrative assistant to U.S. Sen. Herman E. Talmadge before beginning his own time in Washington.</p><p>"Political icon is probably a pretty good description because he was involved for a long time," said Bert Lance, who served as President Carter's budget chief when Ginn served in Washington.</p><p>"Anybody who had contact with him came away with high marks for him."</p><p>Ginn is survived by three children _ Moretz, Ronald Bryan Ginn, Jr. and Kacy Jones _ and seven grandchildren.</p><p>Ginn's funeral service is planned for Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Millen Baptist Church.</p>
