Shortly after Rep. Doug Collins announced he would run for U.S. Senate, a dozen people rushed to fill his space in District 9.
The Northeast Georgia district was created in 2011 during the reapportionment process, and Collins has been the only person to hold this seat.
Collin, running for a fourth term in 2018, won with nearly 80 percent of the vote. The district is considered a Republican stronghold.
However, the contest has still attracted three Democratic candidates in addition to nine Republicans.
Here’s who we’re watching:
Republicans
Former U.S. Rep Paul Broun
Details: Broun was first elected to U.S. Congress in 2007 in the 10th District Special election. He was re-elected 3 more times. Broun gained internet fame when he released a campaigned video touting an AR-15 rifle and promised to give the gun to one person who signed up for his email list in early April. In 2016, Broun's chief of staff indicted in connection with allegedly misusing taxpayer money to finance campaign activities and obstructing a congressional investigation into the matter, leading people to scrutinize the ethics of Broun's campaign.
Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC
Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC
State Rep. Matt Gurtler
Details: Gurtler has served two terms representing Tiger in the Georgia State House. He voted "no" 40% of the time in his first term, more than any other state legislator. His re-election was opposed by Speaker of the House David Ralston and former Governor Nathan Deal. Gurtler is a general contractor in addition to being a legislator.
State Rep. Kevin Tanner
Details: Tanner has been a member of the State House since 2013, and he is most known for his proposed rural transportation bill. The bill would have allowed rural counties to raise sales taxes for transit expansion, but drew significant opposition from Georgia Department of Transportation and ultimately failed in the senate. He represents Dawsonville and owns multiple businesses, including a real estate company and a contracting business.
Ethan Underwood, attorney
Details: Underwood is a Forsyth resident and property lawyer. He served as Chairman of the Forsyth County Republican Party from 2009-2013. His daughter has been cancer-free for 15 years, and Underwood has said that access private healthcare is one of his priorities. He ran to represent Cumming in the Georgia House in 2015 but was unsuccessful.
State Sen. John Wilkinson
Details: Wilkinson was the first candidate to enter the race and announced his candidacy minutes after Collins announced his U.S. Senate bid. The Tocoa native has been a member of the State Senate since 2011 and has served as chairman of the Agricultural Committee and Secretary of the Majority Caucus. He is a teacher and a farmer.
Other Republican Candidates: Crane operator Michael Boggus, armory CEO Andrew Clyde, retired law enforcement officer Maria Strickland, and gun store owner Kellie Weeks.
Democrats
Veteran Devin Pandy, small business owner Brooke Siskin, and retired minister Dan Wilson have all qualified for the Democratic primary.
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