Associated Press
- Vernon Jones and Jim Martin are beginning a three-week sprint to the finish line in Georgia’s Democratic race for the U.S. Senate.
The pair will square off in a runoff August 5th after finishing first and second in Tuesday’s five-man statewide primary. Jones earned 40% of the vote and Martin 34%, according to unofficial returns with most precincts reporting.
The Jones and Martin camps each claim momentum for the runoff.
Tuesday’s third place finisher – former television reporter Dale Cardwell – threw his support to Martin today. In a recorded greeting on his cell phone, Cardwell called Martin an “honorable man” who represents “our best opportunity to defeat Saxby Chambliss in November.”
Cardwell pulled in more than 77,000 votes, or 16% of the total cast.
Of the remaining Democrats, Rand Knight did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment and Josh Lanier said he has yet to make an endorsement decision.
Turnout could be key. Early returns suggest that less than 20% of active registered voters cast a ballot in the primary. Experts say that could sink into the single digits for the runoff.
