Five incumbents win state offices

ATLANTA - Five incumbents - four Democrats and a Republican - easily held on to their state offices Tuesday. <br> <br> Democrat Cathy Cox, who was responsible for the state&#39;s new voting system, won another four-year term as secretary of state. In early returns, she had 60 percent of the vote to Republican Charles Bailey&#39;s 36 percent. Libertarian Mike Pitts garnered 4 percent. <br> <br> Attorney General Thurbert Baker defeated Republican Shannon Goessling, holding a 56 percent to 44 percent lead in early returns. <br> <br> Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine easily defeated Democrat Lois Cohen with 60 percent of the vote to 37 percent. Libertarian Helmut Forren followed with 3 percent. <br> <br> Democrat Tommy Irvin, who has been agriculture commissioner since 1969, won a ninth election. In early returns, Irvin had 59 percent of the vote over Republican Deanna Strickland&#39;s had 37 percent. Libertarian Doug Morton had 4 percent. <br> <br> Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond, a Democrat, got 55 percent of the vote to overcome Republican Richard McGee. Libertarian William Costa had 3 percent. <br> <br> There are close races for school superintendent and two Public Service Commission seats.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/11/188038