Gingrich backs Graves for Congress

ATLANTA - Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has endorsed Republican Tom Graves for election to a full term in Congress.

Graves, who is from Ranger, is competing against fellow Republican Lee Hawkins of Gainesville in an Aug. 10 GOP runoff that will effectively decide the race in the 9th Congressional District. No Democrat has qualified for the general election in November.

In a statement, Gingrich said Graves has demonstrated he will fight government spending, crack down on illegal immigration and support lower taxes.

Graves won a special election in June to fill the remaining months in former Rep. Nathan Deal's term. Deal stepped down earlier this year to run for governor. The winner of next week's election will win a two-year term in Congress.