In a not-too-surprising trend, political heavyweights —- including State Sen. Renee Unterman and State Rep. Pedro Marin —- seemed to have the upper hand at press time to best less-experienced newcomers for a spot with the General Assembly. For more legislative coverage, including races in districts shared by Gwinnett, see Page D6.

SENATE DISTRICT 45

Incumbent Renee Unterman, of Buford, appeared at press time to be headed for an easy victory against Peggy Armstrong, 71, to keep her seat on the state Senate, with a majority of precincts reporting.

Unterman, 54, an insurance executive and former nurse, chairs the Senate ethics committee and is the vice chairman of the health and human services panel.

She formerly served as Loganville mayor, Gwinnett County commissioner and a state representative.

HOUSE DISTRICT 95

Toney Collins, 42, a Rockdale County computer engineer and real estate broker, was leading Gwinnett County businessman George Wilson, 66, at press time in the Democratic primary, with a majority of precincts reporting. This district includes south Gwinnett and much of Rockdale and Newton counties.

The top Democrat will face off in November with the lone Republican candidate, Erick Hunt, 54, of Snellville, who works in marketing, planning and business development.

HOUSE DISTRICT 96

Incumbent Pedro "Pete" Marin, 50, of Duluth, appeared headed for a victory against Torriel "Torry" Lewis, 24, with a majority of precincts reporting at press time.

Marin, first elected in 2002, has worked with several nonprofit groups, including the Northeast Georgia Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

The leading Democrat will oppose Republican Keith A. Shewbert, 49, a small-business owner from Norcross, in November.

HOUSE DISTRICT 98

Incumbent Bobby Reese, 53, was leading business executive David Hancock, 47, according to a majority of precincts at press time.

If Reese wins the Republican primary, he will be declared the winner since there is no Democratic challenger.

Reese, a real estate broker from Sugar Hill, has been the chairman of the Gwinnett legislative delegation since 2007.

He is most concerned about illegal immigration, education, transportation and taxes.

 SHANNON PEAVY / Staff
Map locates House District 95 in Gwinnett County.
Source: University of Georgia

 WALTER CUMMING / Staff
Map locates House District 96 in Gwinnett County.
Source: University of Georgia

 SHANNON PEAVY / Staff
Map locates House District 98 in Gwinnett County.
Source: Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia

 SHANNON PEAVY / Staff
Map locates Senate District 45 in Gwinnett County.
Source: Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia