Republican announces bid for Johnson's U.S. House seat

By Megan Matteucci

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

An Atlanta businesswoman is the latest to join the race to represent Georgia’s fourth congressional district.

Liz Carter is the only Republican running against U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson.

Last month, Johnson announced he’s been battling hepatitis C, but said he is still committed to continuing his service in Washington.

On Saturday, Carter announced her campaign to the Rockdale County Republican Party. The same day, Johnson announced his bid for a third term.

They join DeKalb County Commissioner Connie Stokes and former DeKalb CEO Vernon Jones. DeKalb Commissioner Lee May said he is also considering running. All three are Democrats.

“As the Democratic ticket fills up, we’re seeing all of these people who have contributed to the status quo and the decline in recent years,” Carter told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Tuesday.

This is Carter’s first time running for office.

Carter, 40, has run her own consulting and recruiting company for the past four years. She previously worked for Novell and State Street Corp.

Carter said her campaign is focused on job creation and fiscal responsibility.

“I’m a businesswoman,” she said. “I know how to be accountable and fiscally responsible. It’s about simple common sense. We don’t have that in DC today.”

Carter is scheduled to speak at the DeKalb League of Women Voters on Jan. 28.

Carter is the only Republican to announce for the House seat. The filing deadline for the primary is April 30. The primary is scheduled for July 20 and the general election is scheduled for Nov. 2.