The 2010 special election for the 9th congressional district of Georgia was held on May 11, 2010, to fill the seat left vacant by the resignation of RepublicanU.S. RepresentativeNathan Deal, who wished to concentrate on his campaign for Governor of Georgia. As no candidate received a majority in the special election, a runoff was held on June 8, 2010. The special election had originally been scheduled for April 27, but was postponed for the benefit of military and overseas voters.[1]
Nathan Deal announced he was running for governor on May 1, 2009,[2] and announced on March 1 that he would resign from Congress effective March 8 to pursue his candidacy.[3] He was, however, persuaded to postpone his resignation until after voting on the Senate health care reform bill and health care reconciliation bill.[4] On March 21, less than 10 minutes after the final vote, he officially resigned.[5]
Candidates[]
The following candidates have qualified for the ballot:[6]
Republicans[]
, cardiologist and Emory University medical professor
Tom Graves, State Representative in District 12
Lee Hawkins, State Senator in District 49
Bert Loftman, neurosurgeon
, Vice President of Southern Highlands LLC and former Georgia State Senate Majority Leader
Steve Tarvin, CEO of Crystal Springs Print Works Inc.
Democrat[]
, Episcopal minister
Independent[]
, marketing manager for Gainesville Welding and Rendering Equipment Inc.
Special election results[]
2010 Georgia 9th Special Primary
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Tom Graves
18,316
35.4
Republican
Lee Hawkins
12,012
23.2
Republican
Steve Tarvin
7,940
15.3
Republican
Chris Cates
6,137
11.8
Democratic
Mike Freeman
2,891
5.6
Republican
Bill Stephens
2,084
4.0
Republican
Bert Loftman
1,292
2.5
Independent
Eugene Moon
1,125
2.2
Total votes
51,797
100
Run-off Results[]
No candidate won a majority of votes on May 11, so a runoff election was held between the two leading candidates, Lee Hawkins and Tom Graves.[7]