A first poll of Republican voters in U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland's Third District gives state Sen. Josh McKoon, whose the "religious liberty" legislation that has roiled the state Capitol, a slight early edge in a hypothetical GOP field of seven.
State Rep. Matt Ramsey of Peachtree City was next, followed by state Labor Commissioner Mark Butler. There have been no announcements of candidacies for the seat. Westmoreland announced last Friday he wouldn't be a candidate for re-election this year.
The quickie survey in essence shows that Westmoreland has no immediate, natural heir for his seat in Washington. The poll was conducted by Rosetta Stone Communications, a Republican-oriented firm. The particulars, via top Rosetta guy John Garst:
The Rosetta Stone Communications survey of Georgia's 3rd congressional district was conducted on January 11, 2016 and included responses from 786 pre-screened Republican primary voters. The survey has a margin of error of 3.5%. Cross-tabs available by request.
So you’re top two subjects are within the MOE of each other. Here’s how the theoretical candidates lined up:
-- McKoon, 10 percent;
-- Ramsey, 8.6 percent;
-- Butler, 5.7 percent;
-- State Sen. Mike Crane of Newnan, 5.6 percent;
-- Westmoreland chief of staff Matt Brass, 4.2 percent;
-- Chip Flanagan, 1.8 percent;
-- David Stover, 1.5 percent;
-- Undecided, 62.6 percent.
Garst credits McKoon’s high-profile in the Capitol as a factor. Only 8 percent of primary voters in the Third District were opposed to S.B. 129, compared to 50 percent in favor.
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