5 to Compete for Franklin's Seat

The 43rd House District race will be among five Republicans, according to Secretary of State Brian Kemp's office:

• Roy C. Barnes of Northeast Cobb, an 81-year-old real estate agent.
• Former state Sen. Robert Lamutt of Northeast Cobb, 55.
• Former Cobb Republican Chairman Don Hill of East Cobb, 69.
• Banker John Carson of Northeast Cobb, 39.
• Physician Geraldine Wade of East Cobb, 57.

They will compete in a  to replace , who . If no candidate wins a majority, a runoff will be held Oct. 18.

Craig Dowdy, a Republican lawyer who once ran against Franklin,  decided not to run because of a busy schedule leading up to the election, reports Jim Galloway of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

To run, Hill resigned from the  Facilities & Technology Committee, on which he had served since January as Northeast and East Cobb board member David Banks' appointee.

Carson told the Marietta Daily Journal that he began putting together a behind-the-scenes campaign to challenge Franklin in March. He said the 43rd District needs more effective leadership.

Barnes could have name recognition because of former Democratic Gov. Roy E. Barnes, although Galloway noted that confusion with the ex-governor in the conservative 43rd District could hurt. Candidate Barnes told the MDJ that Franklin was doing a wonderful job and that he voted for him every time he ran.