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DEL.ICIO.USWelcome to Jones vs. Martin central
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Good evening. It’s now after 7 p.m., and polls should be shutting down. Here’s the plan:
Click here for the AJC’s up-to-the-minute results. County-by-county returns offered by Secretary of State Karen Handel can be found here.
My AJC colleague Ben Smith has been kind enough to give up his evening to crunch county-by-county returns generated by the Democratic run-off for U.S. Senate into something a little more logical — which we hope to draw on through the night.
Keep checking in. We’ll add updates, with time stamps, to this same file through the night.
At 7:40 p.m.
Atlanta attorney Jim Martin has an overall 59.3 percent to 40.7 percent lead over DeKalb County CEO Vernon Jones, with 3 percent of precincts reporting.
The first sprinkling of returns is too thin to make any judgments, but here’s what we’re looking at:
— Jones leads Martin 60 to 40 percent in the 16 counties where African-Americans make up the majority of those registered. Martin leads 55 to 45 percent in the remaining 143.
— We’ve divided the state into north Georgia and south Georgia, with a line of demarcation that stretches from Richmond to Jasper to Heard counties.
Martin has an early advantage of more than 2-to-1 coming out of north Georgia. But in south Georgia, Jones has the edge with 57 percent of the vote.
At 8:05 p.m.: With 36 percent of the vote in, Republican challenger Jim Butterworth is pounding incumbent state Sen. Nancy Schaefer of Turnerville, 61 to 39 percent. That’s a rare defeat by an incumbent — whose downfall began when she jumped into the 10th District congressional race, and then jumped out.
At 8:10 p.m.: This could be significant. Using 8 p.m. numbers, 25,453 votes have been counted from counties with majority black registration. Martin leads those counties with nearly 58 percent of the vote.
Martin is leading in nine of 49 counties in which African-American voters outnumbered whites in the July 15 primary. In that primary, he carried only three of them.
But overall, with 19 percent of the vote in statewide, Martin’s lead over Jones has shrunk to 55 percent.
At 8:20 p.m.: Again using 8 p.m. numbers, Martin is leading Jones in north Georgia with 65 percent of the vote, which is no surprise. But Martin has now taken a lead in south Georgia as well. He leads by 53.5 percent.
At 8:25 p.m.Cobb County, a rising Democratic county, is handing Jones the back of its hand. With three-quarters of its vote in, Martin is leading with 76 percent of the vote. This is developing into an early trend — and possibly an early night.
At 8:40 p.m.:Athens/Clarke County, a firm Democratic bastion, is also going heavily toward Martin, by about 72 percent with 18 of 26 precincts reporting.
At 8:50 p.m.: The behemoths of Fulton and DeKalb have yet to roll in, but Cobb, Clayton and Gwinnett have significant batches of votes counted.
Martin has nailed 72 percent of the vote in metro Atlanta so far. He’s leading with 61 percent of the vote.
At 8:53 p.m.: The DeKalb County web site has Vernon Jones at 4,736 or 30 percent of that county’s vote. Jim Martin has 10,978 or 70 percent. No indication where the votes are from, but they represent 34 percent of all precincts.
One bit of good news for Jones: Statewide, among counties with majority African-American registration, Jones leads with 55 percent of the vote. But Martin still leads in north and south Georgia.
At 9:10 p.m.: It’s about time to call this one. With 84 percent of the DeKalb County vote in, it’s 38 percent for Jones, or 20,417; and 62 percent for Martin, or 33,910 votes.
Martin leads in every one of the Insider’s statewide categories:
— Martin’s pulling 68 percent of the vote in metro Atlanta, and in the rest of Georgia he leads by better than 2-to-1;
— Martin leads 2-to-1 in north Georgia, but is also just barely squeaking by Jones in south Georgia;
— Martin has 54 percent of the vote from the 16 counties with majority African-American voter registration, and is pulling 61 percent of the vote elsewhere.
At 9:25 p.m.: In Fulton County, a third of the vote is in and Martin is up 3-to-1. Jones is down by 40,000 votes statewide, with 81 percent of precincts reporting. It’s hard to see where the DeKalb County CEO might find the ballots to pull this out.
At 9:34 p.m.DeKalb County Vernon Jones has just conceded defeat in his Democratic bid for U.S. Senate. Atlanta attorney and former state lawmaker Jim Martin is the nominee who will face Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss.
At 9:41 p.m.: With statewide returns at 86 percent, Jones was leading in these 54 counties, with Chatham, Dougherty and Muscogee being the largest:
Appling, Baker, Baldwin, Ben Hill, Brooks, Burke, Calhoun, Camden, Charlton, Chatham, Chattahoochee, Clay, Colquitt, Columbia, Crawford, Decatur, Dooly, Dougherty, Effingham, Emanuel, Evans, Glynn, Grady, Greene, Hancock, Harris, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Laurens, Lee, Liberty, Lincoln, Macon, McIntosh, Mitchell, Muscogee, Peach, Pierce, Putnam, Quitman, Randolph, Richmond, Sumter, Taliaferro, Taylor, Thomas, Tift, Tooms, Twiggs, Upson, Ware, Warren and Webster.
None of them from metro Atlanta. In DeKalb County, with 99 percent of the vote in, Martin beat the DeKalb CEO with 15,000 votes.
Comments
By Churchill
August 5, 2008 8:36 PM | Link to this
If Jones does not win it will be beacuse Democrat voters in GA are racist. Peace.
By wow
August 5, 2008 9:15 PM | Link to this
Churchill should go wait by the mailbox for his check and stop crying racist. Your guy lost because he was an idiot, not due to the color of his skin. More to the point ther problem was the color of his ethics.
By RL
August 5, 2008 9:15 PM | Link to this
Churchill, The same voters that gave the senate nomination in 2006 to Denise Majette or elect Baker and Thurmand. Give me a break.
Vernon has too much bagage and did a terrible job in Dekalb county. That is why he is not going to win this.
By wow
August 5, 2008 9:15 PM | Link to this
Churchill should go wait by the mailbox for his check and stop crying racist. Your guy lost because he was an idiot, not due to the color of his skin. More to the point, the problem was the color of his ethics.
By dbroky
August 5, 2008 9:22 PM | Link to this
Hello???Democrat voters in GA racist????Maybe “DEMOCRATS” of “ALL COLORS” want a nominee who’s a DEMOCRAT…..Vernon…please move to N GA to join all the other losers DEMS…ZIG ZAG, CATHY (with a C), and Cathy C’s hubby…maybe y’all can get Sonny, Barr, McKinney, et.al. together to form a “Talking Head, No BACK BONE PARTY* DEM1
By webb
August 5, 2008 9:26 PM | Link to this
Am I a racist? I don’t believe I am… b/c my skin is the same color’s as Mr. Jones but I did not vote for him.
Sorry, his shady tactics in DeKalb County were too numerous to overlook…
Not the mention that “alleged rape victim” who did not go forward with the case.
Not to mention the old police chief who chose to step down rather than continue to report to Mr. Jones.
Somehow the words wolf in sheep’s clothing come to mind when I think of him.
By Cynthia McKinney
August 5, 2008 9:26 PM | Link to this
The voters will oust Vernon just like they did me way back when - Hey Vern how bout you be my running mate on the Green Ticket!!?? Good Riddance Vernon Jones!
By Jim Fenno
August 5, 2008 9:40 PM | Link to this
I wanted Jones out of the race after I heard his answer during a debate in which he supported the continuation of the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. Jim Martin knows that policy needs to go!
By Jim Fenno
August 5, 2008 9:41 PM | Link to this
I’m a Fulton County resident that voted against Jones after hearing him express support for the continuation of the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. Jim Martin knows that policy needs to go!
By Jim Fenno
August 5, 2008 9:43 PM | Link to this
I’m a Fulton County resident that voted this evening against Jones after hearing him express support for the continuation of the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. Jim Martin knows that policy needs to go!
By Rich
August 5, 2008 9:54 PM | Link to this
Hey Vernon now you know how your employees felt for the last 8 years.That lump in the back of your throat will go away. When you and Bill share that cell.
By Ron
August 5, 2008 9:55 PM | Link to this
I guess VERNON can go get a job from BUSH LMAO
By Earle
August 5, 2008 10:06 PM | Link to this
For once Cynthia’s got it right. The voters threw Jones out just like they threw her out “back when”, because they’re just alike, two corrupt black racists feeding at the public trough. I just hope this 60/40 thrashing puts an end to Vernon Jones, once and for all.
By Earle
August 5, 2008 10:07 PM | Link to this
For once Cynthia’s got it right. The voters threw Jones out just like they threw her out “back when”, because they’re just alike, two corrupt black racists feeding at the public trough. I just hope this 60/40 thrashing puts an end to Vernon Jones, once and for all.
By Earle Mauldin
August 5, 2008 10:09 PM | Link to this
For once Cynthia’s got it right. The voters threw Jones out just like they threw her out “back when”, because they’re just alike, two corrupt black racists feeding at the public trough. I just hope this 60/40 thrashing puts an end to Vernon Jones, once and for all.
By Churchill
August 5, 2008 10:30 PM | Link to this
O.K. libs that is the reaction I thought I would get. So, if, Obama loses in the fall and the media starts to claim that it was the fault of racist Americans I trust that you will have the same reaction. Right?
By dbroky
August 5, 2008 10:33 PM | Link to this
OK…enough Vernon bashing….in the meantime….N DeKalb “REPUBLICANS” managed to get the city of Dunwhitey and had their Commissioner elected the de facto CEO of DeKalb….wonder if the new Mr. CEO will file a lawsuit after she (continues to) shove him around…way to go Burrell….really appreciate DEMS having Republican endorsements in a DEM primary…
By Rarl Kove
August 5, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this
Interesting experiment, Churchill. The best part was that “libs” as you, lovingly, call them had no idea that they were being tested. The real question is, would they change their answer if they knew that you were going to post what you posted last? Way to illustrate absurdity by being absurd.
By Churchill
August 5, 2008 10:53 PM | Link to this
Rarl, what I think they will say is that only Republicans can be racist. I could be wrong, but I doubt it. I had a little fun with this thread. I am glad you enjoyed it as well. Peace.
By Samatva
August 5, 2008 11:14 PM | Link to this
As interesting as this all may be, it only says something about how vote tallies roll in - it says nothing about how great Jim Martin will serve us as our next Senator (polish up your resume, Saxby!). This has nothing to do with the race of the candidates - Vernon Jones has not presented himself with the demeanor required of an elected official. Much like Cynthia McK, his behavior at times has been an embarrassment to DeKalb County, which is why those of us who know him best didn’t vote for him here.
By Marty
August 5, 2008 11:20 PM | Link to this
Shut up Churchill you bitter bitter man. Just stfu.
You have to be the most bitter blogger on these boards, thriving on negative attention. Either way you would have spun this race with your bitter negativity. Had Jones won you would have have played the race card also.
Glad you get your kicks on a political blog. Loser.
By Mike K.
August 5, 2008 11:21 PM | Link to this
I know this is off topic for this particular blog post, but I just wanted to give a shout out to all those great citizens of Clayton County who were so upset earlier this year about their school board. Congrats on that 13% turnout. I’m sure the people of Fayette and Henry Counties appreciate it.
By Churchill
August 5, 2008 11:37 PM | Link to this
I do not play the race card. Libs do that. (Obama did it to Clinton in SC and he just played it on McCain last week.) I was just doing a little test here to prove a point showing that libs play the race card all the time against conservatives. That is exactly what you did, just now. Think of it as research. Mark my words, Marty, the libs and the media-libs will scream and yell about the rampant racism in this country if Obama blows it in November. You know it will happen. Peace.
By Marty
August 5, 2008 11:58 PM | Link to this
A little test here? Wow you truly are a loser. Like I said you were going to spin this election one way or another. Your little “test” is nothing more than BS. You’re a bitter loser that thrives on negative attention. Enjoy your little fantasy world.
“Little test”……LMAO!
By Churchill
August 6, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this
Marty, I did not support Jones. Well, I did but only to screw around with the democrat primary. I will be voting for Saxby in the fall. I think your are mad becasue you got the point of the “little test.” I know you guys hate being forgone conclusions. Peace.
By BitterClinger
August 6, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this
WAY TO GO CHURCH!!!!!! Your experiment was hilarious. I think it was fantastic. Keep giving the liberals hell.
By Rawena
August 6, 2008 12:21 PM | Link to this
Churchill really is a bitter old woman. Wow. I bet your house is the one the neighborhood kids point at and are scared by the ‘mean ole lady’ that lives there.
By Crystal
August 6, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this
When the leftists attack you, Church, you know you must be hitting close to home. I thought your “little test” was educational. If you really want to read something nuts you should read Cynthia Tucker’s little piece in the paper today. She is crazier than most democratic voters. Keep up the good work.
Crystal :)
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