While Congress is on break, Republican Congressman Doug Collins of Gainesville has been making his way across the 9th District in North Georgia, talking to constituents.
Collins said Monday, in between two meetings in Gainesville, he will be watching Tuesday's 6th District congressional race closely.
"Of course, we're watching this special election," Collins said. "As part of leadership, we watch to make sure our majority is protected and the 6th District [race] has been crazy."
Eighteen candidates are running for the seat left vacant by Republican Tom Price, who was named President Trump's Health & Human Services Secretary earlier this year. Polling indicates Democrat newcomer John Ossoff is the leader in the race, although polls also indicate he may not have the 50% of the vote needed to win the race outright.
Collins, who is the vice-chair of the House Republican Conference, said he also spent some time earlier this month in Kansas for that state's 4th District special election. Republicans managed to hold on to that seat - Kansas State Treasurer Ron Estes won the seat left empty when Mike Pompeo became CIA Director.
AccessWDUN asked Collins about the top three concerns he's heard from constituents on his latest trip home:
HEALTHCARE REFORM
"We always get asked about healthcare and why we couldn't get it through. When I've explained it to them [constituents], I think they understand at the end of the day that what we had was maybe not the perfect bill for all of us, but it actually moved us a lot further down the line. They want to see us get something done, though. They support the President, I'm supporting the president - they want to see that [healthcare reform] get done, get it to the Senate and then see if we can get it on his desk."
BUSINESS REGULATIONS
"In Northeast Georgia especially with our industry and agriculture, the rollback on some regulations has been very helpful, so that's been positive [feedback] there."
JOB CREATION
"I know in Hall County, we have a low unemployment rate, but throughout our district, there are still areas that need to provide better jobs and have incentives to be able to do that."
Collins made his comments following a meeting with North Georgia broadcasters coordinated by the Georgia Association of Broadcasters (GAB) on the Brenau University campus.
