Two top Democrats get last-minute opposition as qualifying ends

ATLANTA - Two top Democrats drew last-minute challenges Friday as qualifying ended for the August 20 primaries, but there were no surprises in the races for governor and the U.S. Senate. <br> <br> Both parties closed their lists at noon, leaving Governor Barnes and Senator Max Cleland unopposed in the Democratic primary, but facing Republican opposition in November. <br> <br> Three Republicans are seeking the nomination to challenge Barnes in November: Former Cobb County Commissioner Bill Byrne; former state Senator Sonny Perdue and Linda Schrenko, the state school superintendent. <br> <br> Three Republicans also are seeking the nomination to face Cleland: Robert Brown, a surprise entry from Yatesville, who described himself as a 47-year-old rancher; Saxby Chambliss, a four-term congressman backed by the White House, and state Representative Bob Irvin. <br> <br> Secretary of State Cathy Cox, a Democrat who supervises state elections, drew closing-day opposition from a candidate Republican officials described as the first Hispanic to run for statewide office in Georgia. <br> <br> Norcross attorney Vernadette Ramirez Broyles said, ``I am more than qualified for this office, regardless of my race or gender. But I don&#39;t run from that.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Although two other Republicans also are seeking the seat, Republicans hailed Ramirez Broyles&#39; entry as a sign of their growing diversity. <br> <br> Attorney General Thurbert Baker drew no Democratic opponent but Republican Shannon Goessling, a 34-year-old lawyer and business owner from Cobb County, qualified to challenge him in November. <br> <br> Three congressmen escaped without opposition this summer or fall: Democrats Sanford Bishop in the Second District and John Lewis in the fifth, and Republican Nathan Deal in the tenth. <br> <br> Three others faced primary battles. <br> <br> In the Fourth District, outspoken Democratic Representative Cynthia McKinney faces former state court judge Denise Majette in the August election. The winner will face the winner of a four-way Republican primary fight. <br> <br> In the Seventh District, Republican Representatives Bob Barr and John Linder are fighting for the same seat after their old districts were significantly changed by the Legislature during redistricting. The survivor faces Democrat Michael Berlon, a 42-year-old lawyer.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/6/193299