SPECIAL ELECTION-- GEORGIA-10

Last year was a bad year for Republican members of Congress at the polls. Even many who managed to retain their seats saw big drops in support. Democrats are busy targeting House districts where Republican margins dropped by 5-10% points. That, however, isn't the case in what was Charlie Norwood's rural northwest Georgia district. Sure, the winds of change even blew through this deep, deep red Republican district-- Bush took it with 72% against Kerry-- but not in any meaningful way. In 2002 Norwood won with 73%. In 2004 he took 74%, even more than Bush, but last year he "only" got 67%. Normally it wouldn't even be worth the Democrats giving it a second look-- other than for long-term party building.

Last year Charlie Norwood, a far right extremist, spent $1.1 million to retain his seat. Terry Holley, the Democrat, managed to raise $24,000. But everything changed when Norwood died and the governor called a special election for June 19 to fill his seat. Two wingnut Republicans, State Senator Jim Whitehead and a physician, Paul Broun, are in on the Dark Side. Local Democrats met this weekend and got behind James Marlow, a technology businessman. I suspect a big factor in this support is the expectation that he will spend more than $24,000. Holley is running again.

There is no primary, which means that more than one member of the same party may face off against each other. If no one receives more than 50% of the vote, there will be a runoff between the top two vote-getters.