Henry Daily Herald

Photo by Hugh Osteen

By Valerie Baldowski and Jason A. Smith

vbaldowski@henryherald.com

Jeff Herrin, of McDonough, voted in Tuesday's primary, because of "dissatisfaction" with the current politics.

"I just don't like the direction of the country right now," said Herrin, 42. "I don't think the way to stimulate the economy and to grow more jobs is to spend more money. The middle class is getting crushed right now, and I don't like to see America down the way it is."

Herrin, who works in manufacturing for a plastics company, had his eye on the governor's race, in particular. He cast his vote for Republican Karen Handel.

"She's backing the tea party movement, and I believe in what the tea party believes in," he said. Handel received an endorsement from former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

Herrin was among local voters casting ballots at the Henry County Middle School Tuesday.

Henry County Elections and Registration Director Janet Shellnutt said the largest voter turnout was at McDonough Baptist Tabernacle near the upscale Lake Dow community. It already had 589 voters by 3:30 p.m., she said.

"We had several [other precincts] that were ... almost at 600 [for the day]."

Voters seemed pleased with their choices for the state's top political spot. Andrea Smith, of McDonough, 35, said she was eager to vote for Democrat Roy Barnes in the governor's race. "I know what he stands for," said Smith, a therapist. "I also like that he ran what appeared to be a clean race. That's always something I look for."

Theresa Anderson, 60, of McDonough, had to overcome a flat tire, in order to reach Henry County Middle School in time to cast her vote in the Democratic primary. Anderson, a trust officer for an Atlanta bank, said it was "extremely important" for her to allow her voice to be heard.

"Unless we put the right people in office -- the people we think are going to work on our behalf -- we're subject to anything that comes," she said. "It's important that we would exercise our right to vote, as opposed to just allowing others to take control and do what they want. I believe if we don't speak up and allow our voices to be heard, we have no right to complain about what the outcome may be."

Jonathan Stovall, 30, of McDonough, was one of the last people to get to Henry County Middle School in time to vote Tuesday. Stovall, who works in air-freight imports, voted for Republican Eric Johnson for governor.

"I feel that he shares more of my personal values than any other candidate going down through the list," Stovall said. "I think it's really important to get out here and stand up for our values. "

Ten minutes after the polls closed, Senate District 17 Candidate Rick Jeffares waited at election headquarters for voting results. He said he was confident the night would end well for him. "I'm waiting to see the numbers, but I'm pretty sure Henry County turned out big today," he said. "With three being in the race, we figured, worst-case scenario, there will be a runoff. We feel like we're in the top two."

With 74 percent of precincts reporting Tuesday night, Jeffares and fellow State Senate Candidate Todd Hilton appeared to be headed for a runoff. Jeffares had 44.9 percent of the votes, compared with Hilton's 30.7 percent, according to the Georgia Secretary of State's web site.

At Pates Creek Elementary School in Stockbridge, voters were trickling in at a steady pace by the early afternoon. They quietly filed into the school through a hallway at the rear of the building, signed in, took their ballots, and voted.

"The economy, health care, a lot of changes are going on, and I want to be up front in trying to select the people to represent us," said Victoria Ali, 43.

A lack of consensus in leadership at the national and local level, is troubling her. "The congressional people ... they can't come together, [and] get to a mutual point where they agree on something," said Ali.

She voted for Democrat Thurbert Baker for governor. "He's good on a lot of points in his current position, and I like what he stands for," she continued.

She voted for a Democrat in the governor's race, but not a straight party ticket.

"I don't think it really matters; it doesn't matter whether it's red or blue," she said. "The thing that matters most is coming together to make a decision, versus filibustering, and not being able to make a decision."

Ali said Karen Handel's endorsement by Sarah Palin did not carry much weight with her. "I look at the issues and what they [the candidates] stand for, their previous positions, and what they have done," she added.

Unlike Ali, Wanda Swindell-Bowman, 50, voted a straight Republican ticket, and chose John Oxendine for governor. "I'm a conservative, and I want to make sure the conservatives are back in, to be our representatives," she said.

After Bobby Blackburn, 72, finished voting, he stood by a friend in the ballot booth to help her cast her ballot. "We just need to get the Republicans in there, and get the Democrats out," he said. He supported Oxendine.

Joyce Lyle, 70, voted with her husband, and their 8-year-old granddaughter. She voted in the governor's race for Republican Nathan Deal. "I know he has had a lot of experience, and I think he's the best candidate," said Lyle.

Lyle said the issues needing to be addressed include school funding, illegal immigration, and the economy. "I like to know where the candidates stand, and it helps me determine who I'm going to vote for," she added.