A GUIDE TO THE CONGRESSIONAL RACES: GEORGIA

GEORGIA

Population (1994): 7,055,000 (up 8.9% from 1990), 2.7% of U.S. total

Voting-age population: 5,159,000; 1994 turnout, 30%

Median age: 31.6 years

Median household income: $31,467 ($797 below U.S. median)

Unemployment: 4.5% (1.1% below U.S. average, March 1996)

Last presidential election: Clinton (D): 43% Bush (R): 43% Perot (I):13%

Congressional delegation: Four Democrats, nine Republicans

A 1995 Supreme Court decision–declaring the Second and 11th Districts unconstitutionally gerrymandered on the basis of race–has made this year’s Georgia election something of a peach cobbler. All the state’s 11 congressional districts had to be redrawn; African Americans lost their majority in two of three districts. Though conservative Republicans saw this upheaval as an opportunity, Cynthia McKinney is on track to defeat those expectations–and perhaps the odds–in the newly constituted Fourth. And the question much of the nation is asking is whether Newt Gingrich will be gone with the wind.

MAX CLELAND (D) SENATE (OPEN SEAT)

BORN: Aug. 24, 1942, Atlanta EDUCATION: Stetson U, B.A., 1964; Emory U, M.A., 1968 FAMILY: Single RELIGION: Methodist MILITARY: Army, 1965-68 OCCUPATION: Motivational speaker POLITICAL CAREER: Georgia Senate, 1971-75; Georgia Secretary of State, 1983- ADDRESS: P.O. Box 7843, Atlanta 30357. Tel.: 770-452-9696

A Vietnam hero confined to a wheelchair because of his war wounds, Cleland was Georgia’s youngest Secretary of State in 1983. He declined to answer the TIME/CQ questionnaire because he considers it “so skeletal and oversimplified as to be distortive.” And he has waged a campaign that avoids a complex agenda, emphasizing job security, affordable college education and improved access to health insurance as priorities.

THE ISSUES

Budget NR Medicare NR Defense NR Abortion NR Guns NR Gays NR Bosnia NR NAFTA NR Welfare NR National Service NR (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)

QUOTE OF NOTE: “Here I am, once a wandering, lost college kid who came to believe that maybe one day even I might run for public office and even come to Washington. So I’m putting my best foot forward this fall.”

GUY MILLNER (R) SENATE (OPEN SEAT)

BORN: Feb. 16, 1936, Holly Hill, Fla. EDUCATION: Florida State U, B.A., 1958 FAMILY: Wife, Ginny; five children RELIGION: Presbyterian MILITARY: Naval Reserve, 1953-61 OCCUPATION: Management-services-company owner POLITICAL CAREER: Republican nominee for Governor, 1994 ADDRESS: 1730 Northeast Expressway, Atlanta 30329. Tel.: 404-248-9696

Millner, a popular Atlanta business executive who nearly won the governorship two years ago, is a conservative Republican committed to lower taxes, a balanced-budget amendment, better health-care systems through free-market incentives and support for local law-and-order crime programs, including tough work requirements for prisoners and mandatory minimum sentencing.

THE ISSUES Budget YES Medicare NO Defense YES Abortion YES Guns NO Gays NO Bosnia YES NAFTA YES Welfare NO National Service NO (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)

QUOTE OF NOTE: “If there was a book on how to kill the American Dream, it would be written by Bill Clinton and the National Democratic Party, and Chapter 1 would be titled: ‘Tax the People Heavily Through Death.'”

ROSEMARY KASZANS (D) District 1 (Southeast–Savannah)

BORN: Oct. 12, 1947, Greenfield, Mass. EDUCATION: U of Massachusetts, 1965-71; Greenfield Community College, 1974; Northwestern Connecticut Community College, 1976; Life Chiropractic College, D.C., 1979 FAMILY: Husband, Edward; three children RELIGION: Roman Catholic MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Chiropractor; welfare caseworker; drug counselor POLITICAL CAREER: None ADDRESS: 1612 Newcastle Street, P.O. Box 1000, Brunswick 31521. Tel.: 912-267-7400

A nonnative Georgian and a Democrat, Kaszans is an outsider–and an underdog–in a district that gave her opponent 77% of the vote in the last election. Kaszans defends federal programs for children and seniors and is a strong proponent of Medicare, citing it as the prime reason Americans over 65 live longer than those in any other country.

THE ISSUES

Budget NO Medicare NO Defense YES Abortion NO Guns YES Gays YES Bosnia NO NAFTA YES Welfare NO Medical Leave YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)

QUOTE OF NOTE: “Senior citizens aren’t afraid of dying–they’re afraid of…giving up their possessions and dignity because they can’t afford health care.”

JACK KINGSTON (R) District 1

BORN: April 24, 1955, Bryan, Texas EDUCATION: U of Georgia, A.B., 1978 FAMILY: Wife, Libby; four children RELIGION: Episcopalian MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Insurance broker POLITICAL CAREER: Georgia House, 1985-92; U.S. House, 1992- ADDRESS: 7360 Skidaway Road, Savannah 31406. Tel.: 912-356-5200

Kingston won his last election in a landslide and, in this conservative district, is favored to do it again. In Washington he represents his constituents’ desire for lower taxes and less government spending. Last June he sponsored an amendment to prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency from funding any activity it is not directly authorized to perform. And in his district, he holds town meetings almost every weekend to talk with voters and strengthen his consensus.

THE ISSUES Budget YES Medicare YES Defense YES Abortion YES Guns NO Gays YES Bosnia YES NAFTA NO Welfare YES Medical Leave NO (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)

QUOTE OF NOTE: “Why are so many families across America struggling to keep their heads above water?…I think we can summarize everything in two words: tax trap.”

SANFORD BISHOP JR. (D) District 2 (Southwest–Albany; Valdosta)

BORN: Feb. 4, 1947, Mobile, Ala. EDUCATION: Morehouse College, B.A., 1968; Emory U, J.D., 1971 FAMILY: Divorced RELIGION: Baptist MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Lawyer POLITICAL CAREER: Georgia House, 1977-91, Senate, 1991-92; U.S. House, 1992- ADDRESS: 106 South Slappey Boulevard, Albany 31701. Tel.: 912-883-9298

Though he is the incumbent, Bishop is running for an essentially new seat thanks to a 1995 ruling declaring the old Second District unconstitutional. The biggest change is racial representation–overnight the black voting-age population fell from 52% to 35%–and Bishop is now emphasizing his moderate politics to woo farmers and white Democrats to his side.

THE ISSUES

Budget NO Medicare NO Defense NR Abortion NO Guns NO Gays YES Bosnia NO NAFTA NO Welfare NO* Medical Leave YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)

QUOTE OF NOTE: “We must protect ourselves, our families and our neighborhoods by locking up, and where appropriate executing, those who repeatedly demonstrate a disregard for the sanctity of human life.”

DARREL EALUM (R) District 2

BORN: Dec. 27, 1948, Red Level, Ala. EDUCATION: Troy State U, 1967-70; Pepperdine U, 1979 FAMILY: Wife, Linda; four children RELIGION: Methodist MILITARY: Marines, 1971-91 OCCUPATION: Property manager POLITICAL CAREER: Sought Republican nomination for Georgia House, 1994 ADDRESS: 521 Honeysuckle Drive, Albany 31705. Tel.: 912-888-2000

In a redrawn district that is still thought to lean Democratic, Ealum runs with a platform that falls somewhere between the politics of Bob Dole and Newt Gingrich. He wants a flatter tax and a balanced budget (Dole), but is vocal about gun owners’ rights and the need for the death penalty (Gingrich). Raised in a home with no indoor plumbing, Ealum attributes his escape from poverty to traditional values.

THE ISSUES Budget YES Medicare YES Defense NO Abortion YES Guns NO Gays NO Bosnia YES NAFTA NO Welfare YES Medical Leave NO (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)

QUOTE OF NOTE: “Welfare reform…combined with lower taxes and a balanced budget…can build an America in which all our citizens can participate and prosper.”

JIM CHAFIN (D) District 3 (West central–Griffin; Atlanta and Columbus suburbs)

BORN: May 29, 1952, Columbus, Ohio EDUCATION: U.S. Military Academy, West Point, B.S., 1974; Georgia State U, J.D., 1988 FAMILY: Wife, Sally Lee Turner; two children RELIGION: Methodist MILITARY: Air Force, 1974-79; Air Force Reserve, 1979- OCCUPATION: Lawyer; furniture-store owner; flight instructor POLITICAL CAREER: None ADDRESS: P.O. Box 656, McDonough 30253. Tel.: 770-898-9550

Chafin has taken his “run for Congress” literally. On most weekends he jogs through a different town in his district, pressing the aerobicized flesh–and his message to voters, which is that the Republican Party “stands on the wrong side of people.” He believes that G.O.P. budget cuts will further family breakdown, leading to even more poverty and crime. But in this strongly military area, Chafin would not weaken defense to support social programs.

THE ISSUES Budget NO Medicare NO Defense NO Abortion NO Guns NR Gays YES Bosnia NO NAFTA YES Welfare YES Medical Leave YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)

QUOTE OF NOTE: “I decided to run because of the absolute arrogance of the Republicans.”

MAC COLLINS (R) District 3

BORN: Oct. 15, 1944, Butts County EDUCATION: Jackson High School, graduated, 1962 FAMILY: Wife, Julie Watkins; four children RELIGION: Methodist MILITARY: National Guard, 1964-70 OCCUPATION: Trucking-company owner POLITICAL CAREER: Butts County commission chairman, 1977-81; Georgia Senate, 1989-92; U.S. House, 1992- ADDRESS: P.O. Box 35, Jonesboro 30237. Tel.: 770-471-0048

Collins was among the dozens of G.O.P. Congressmen who felt they were sent to Washington to trim the budget, downsize the Federal Government and lower taxes. But he also has paid attention to his constituents, many of whom depend on air travel and the military for their livelihood (the Third is home to Fort Gillem and Hartsfield Airport), supporting the repeal of airline fuel taxes and just about any bill that would increase defense spending.

THE ISSUES Budget YES Medicare YES Defense NO Abortion YES Guns NO Gays YES Bosnia YES NAFTA NO Welfare YES Medical Leave NO (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)

QUOTE OF NOTE: “American workers pay the bills for all government programs and for all services. How much more government can they afford?”

CYNTHIA MCKINNEY (D) District 4 (Atlanta suburbs–most of De Kalb County; part of Gwinnett County)

BORN: March 17, 1955, Atlanta EDUCATION: U of Southern California, B.A., 1978 FAMILY: Divorced; one child RELIGION: Roman Catholic MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Professor POLITICAL CAREER: Georgia House, 1989-92; U.S. House, 1992- ADDRESS: P.O. Box 371125, Decatur 30037. Tel.: 404-243-5574

Outspoken and flamboyant, McKinney is Georgia’s first black Congresswoman. In 1992 she was elected in the 11th District, which until last year was 64% African American. But she will seek re-election in the Fourth, which is only 33% black, because in 1995 the Supreme Court declared that the boundaries of the 11th had been unconstitutionally drawn on the basis of race. Her challenge now is to appeal to voters of both races, and with her campaign slogan, “Annoy Newt,” she surprised onlookers by beating three white men to take the primary with 67% of the vote.

THE ISSUES Budget NO Medicare NO Defense NR Abortion NO Guns YES Gays NO Bosnia NO NAFTA NO Welfare NO Medical Leave YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)

QUOTE OF NOTE: “I am every woman’s dream of what they could be, and every man’s nightmare of what their wife might be.”

JOHN MITNICK (R) District 4

BORN: May 8, 1962, East Orange, N.J. EDUCATION: Emory U, B.A., 1984; Oxford U, B.A., 1987; U of Virginia, J.D., 1988 FAMILY: Single RELIGION: Jewish MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Lawyer POLITICAL CAREER: None ADDRESS: P.O. Box 95404, Atlanta 30347. Tel.: 404-320-1996

In the recently redrawn Fourth, it’s hard to tell which way voters will lean–it’s a whiter, more conservative district than the one Cynthia McKinney last represented. If it’s conservative, Mitnick has the edge, with a core Republican platform of lower taxes, a balanced-budget amendment, school vouchers and the abolishing of the Department of Education.

THE ISSUES

Budget YES Medicare YES Defense YES Abortion YES Guns YES Gays YES Bosnia NO NAFTA YES Welfare YES Medical Leave NR (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)

QUOTE OF NOTE: “I have worked hard all my life…if you ask me a question you’ll get a straight answer. We may not always agree, but we can discuss any issue, and I’ll do what I say. If I don’t, I hope the voters will throw me out in two years.”

JOHN LEWIS (D) District 5 (Parts of Atlanta)

BORN: Feb. 21, 1940, Troy, Ala. EDUCATION: American Baptist Theological Seminary, B.A., 1961; Fisk U, B.A., 1963 FAMILY: Wife, Lillian; one child RELIGION: Baptist MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Civil-rights activist political career: Atlanta city council, 1982-86; U.S. House, 1986- ADDRESS: P.O. Box 2323, Atlanta 30301. Tel.: 202-966-8338

Lewis was the first in his family to graduate from high school. He had to sue for the right to go to college. In the ’60s he rode the freedom buses, was beaten in Montgomery, Alabama, and led the Selma-to-Montgomery march for voting rights. In the House, the five-term incumbent serves as one of four deputy whips, and he speaks out for programs to protect the quality of health care and education for the working poor. It is no wonder Lewis is running unopposed.

THE ISSUES

Budget NO Medicare NO Defense YES Abortion NO Guns YES Gays NO Bosnia NO NAFTA NO Welfare NO Medical Leave YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)

QUOTE OF NOTE: “Republicans help the rich and hurt the rest of us.”

MICHAEL COLES (D) District 6 (Atlanta suburbs–Roswell; part of Marietta)

BORN: Feb. 9, 1944, Brooklyn, N.Y. EDUCATION: Rockport High School, graduated, 1963 FAMILY: Wife, Donna; three children RELIGION: Jewish MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Cookie-company owner/executive POLITICAL CAREER: None ADDRESS: 2617 Sandy Plains Road, Suite C, Marietta 30066. Tel.: 770-509-1790

Going after the Speaker of the House, Coles is attempting what amounts to a coup in Georgia’s Sixth. In a Republican district that has gone for button-down Democrats like Governor Zell Miller and Senator Sam Nunn, Coles sells himself as a crime-fighting deficit hawk. Though he built his $100 million cookie company from virtually nothing and recovered from a motorcycle accident after doctors told him he would never walk again, can he silence the Speaker?

THE ISSUES

Budget NR Medicare NR Defense NR Abortion NR Guns NR Gays NR Bosnia NR NAFTA NR Welfare NR Medical Leave NR (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)

QUOTE OF NOTE: “I think Newt is so divisive that it outweighs anything about him that I might admire in him. He continues to amaze me in the way he polarizes people.”

NEWT GINGRICH (R) District 6

BORN: June 17, 1943, Harrisburg, Pa. EDUCATION: Emory U, B.A., 1965; Tulane U, M.A., 1968, Ph.D., 1971 FAMILY: Wife, Marianne Ginther; two children RELIGION: Baptist MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Professor POLITICAL CAREER: Republican nominee for U.S. House, 1974, 1976; U.S. House 1978- ADDRESS: P.O. Box 1399, Roswell 30077. Tel.: 770-587-2330

Respect for Gingrich’s political savvy is nonpartisan: his orchestration of the Republican revolution–with its manifesto, the Contract with America–let the G.O.P. take control of the House for the first time in 40 years. But after a bruising battle with Clinton over the budget earlier this year, Gingrich lowered his profile, to the point that some began to doubt the Speaker’s ability to win even his own district. Gingrich is not every Democrat’s nemesis for nothing, however, and no one counts him out.

THE ISSUES Budget YES Medicare YES Defense NO Abortion YES Guns NO Gays YES Bosnia NR NAFTA YES Welfare YES Medical Leave NO (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)

QUOTE OF NOTE: “I’m not a natural leader. I’m too intellectual; I’m too abstract; I think too much.”

BOB BARR (R) District 7 (Northwest–Rome; part of Marietta)

BORN: Nov. 5, 1948, Iowa City, Iowa EDUCATION: U of Southern California, B.A., 1970; George Washington U, M.A., 1972; Georgetown U, J.D., 1977 FAMILY: Wife, Jeri; four children RELIGION: Methodist MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Lawyer; CIA analyst POLITICAL CAREER: U.S. attorney, 1986-90; sought Republican nomination for U.S. Senate, 1992; U.S. House, 1994- ADDRESS: P.O. Box 4323, Marietta 30001. Tel.: 770-528-9444

Barr, a Republican-revolution freshman, represents a district that has become increasingly conservative. He voted against the minimum-wage bill, opposes gun control and is dedicated to upholding the constitutional right to bear arms. A large portion of Barr’s moral rhetoric has been directed against gay marriages, which he calls immoral and un-American.

THE ISSUES Budget YES Medicare YES Defense NO Abortion YES Guns NO Gays NO Bosnia YES NAFTA NO Welfare YES Medical Leave NO (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)

Quote of Note: “The flames of hedonism, the flames of narcissism, the flames of self-centered morality are licking at the very foundations of our society.”

CHARLIE WATTS (D) District 7

BORN: Jan. 25, 1944, Gadsden, Ala. EDUCATION: Clarke Memorial Baptist College, A.A., 1963 FAMILY: Wife, Phyllis; two children RELIGION: Southern Baptist MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Office-supply-business owner; bank executive POLITICAL CAREER: Georgia House, 1983- ADDRESS: P.O. Box 980, Dallas 30132. Tel.: 770-443-4907

Watts says he’s running because he wants to protect the elderly and the children of the U.S. Critical of the Republican-controlled Congress, which he believes is jeopardizing people’s security, he has lambasted incumbent Barr for voting against the minimum-wage increase.

THE ISSUES

Budget NO Medicare NO Defense NO Abortion YES Guns NO Gays YES Bosnia NO NAFTA NO Welfare NO Medical Leave YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)

QUOTE OF NOTE: “Every month, all over this district, families sit around the dinner table with a stack of bills and try to figure out how to make ends meet. They know that no matter what, they cannot spend more money than they have. Government should be no different.”

SAXBY CHAMBLISS (R) District 8 (South central–Warner Robins; Macon)

BORN: Nov. 10, 1943, Warrenton, N.C. EDUCATION: U of Georgia, B.B.A., 1966; U of Tennessee, J.D., 1968 FAMILY: Wife, Julianne Frohbert; two children RELIGION: Episcopalian MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Lawyer; hotel owner POLITICAL CAREER: Sought Republican nomination for U.S. House, 1992; U.S. House, 1994- ADDRESS: 3113 Vineville Avenue, Macon 31204. Tel.: 912-750-1994

Freshman Chambliss swept into the Eighth in 1994 with 63% of the vote. The son of an Episcopal minister who married his college sweetheart, he represents conservative values–reducing regulations and taxes on small businesses–and his constituents, which means protecting the district’s three military bases and its tobacco and peanut farmers.

THE ISSUES Budget YES Medicare YES Defense NO Abortion YES Guns NO Gays NO Bosnia YES NAFTA NO Welfare YES Medical Leave NO (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)

QUOTE OF NOTE: “Our nation’s food system is envied throughout the world. Nowhere else is food produced and delivered with such remarkable quality and consistency, yet available at such a low price.”

JIM WIGGINS (D) District 8

BORN: Aug. 13, 1946, Savannah EDUCATION: Armstrong State College, B.S., 1972; Mercer U, J.D., 1975 FAMILY: Wife, Kitty; two children RELIGION: Baptist MILITARY: Army, 1966-70 OCCUPATION: Lawyer POLITICAL CAREER: Oconee County district attorney, 1981-94; U.S. attorney, 1994- ADDRESS: 90 Martin Luther King Boulevard, Suite B-9, Macon 31201. Tel.: 912-745-8306

Wiggins, who calls himself a dyed-in-the-wool Democrat, says he’ll fight for working families, seniors and children. Despite his professions of party faith, though, he does agree that welfare cannot be completely eliminated until more jobs are available, but thinks that the physically able should be required to perform public service. He also supports capital punishment and full funding for the military.

THE ISSUES

Budget NO Medicare NO Defense NO Abortion NO Guns YES Gays YES Bosnia NO NAFTA NO Welfare YES Medical Leave YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)

QUOTE OF NOTE: “Medicare is more than a program; it is part of a covenant made with the senior citizens of the country.”

NATHAN DEAL (R) District 9 (North–Dalton; Gainesville; Toccoa)

BORN: Aug. 25, 1942, Millen EDUCATION: Mercer U, A.B., 1964, J.D., 1966 FAMILY: Wife, Sandra; four children RELIGION: Baptist MILITARY: Army, 1966-68 OCCUPATION: Lawyer POLITICAL CAREER: Georgia Senate, 1981-92, President pro tem, 1991-92; U.S. House, 1992- ADDRESS: P.O. Box 902, Gainesville 30503. Tel.: 770-287-9696

Though the Ninth District votes Republican in presidential elections, it hasn’t elected a Republican to Congress this century. Deal was elected as a Democrat, and, tired of being the most conservative Democrat in the Georgia delegation, switched parties in 1995. As a dedicated deficit fighter, he supported the line-item veto and wants a balanced-budget amendment. Though his pro-choice stance chafes at some of the brethren, he should blend nicely with his new G.O.P. family.

THE ISSUES

Budget YES Medicare YES Defense YES Abortion YES Guns NO Gays YES Bosnia YES NAFTA YES Welfare NO* Medical Leave NO (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)

QUOTE OF NOTE: “One of the purposes of government is to collectively protect ourselves better than we can do individually.”

KEN POSTON (D) District 9

BORN: Oct. 24, 1959, Fort Oglethorpe EDUCATION: U of Tennessee at Chattanooga, B.S., 1982; U of Georgia, J.D., 1985 FAMILY: Wife, Reva Revis RELIGION: Methodist MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Lawyer POLITICAL CAREER: Georgia House, 1989- ADDRESS: P.O. Box 1996, Ringgold 30736. Tel.: 706-965-1996 Poston is out to win back the Ninth for the Democrats, making as much political hay as possible out of his opponent’s defection last year. As an eight-year state legislator, he has good name recognition and campaign experience, and promises to bring his commitment to crime prevention and ethics reform–he introduced a state Ethics Reform Act establishing limits for campaign contributions–to the federal level. Poston is also committed to strengthening federal oversight of the water supply.

THE ISSUES Budget NO Medicare NO Defense NO Abortion NO Guns NO Gays YES Bosnia NO NAFTA NO Welfare NO Medical Leave YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)

QUOTE OF NOTE: “Big-money influence is something I fought to control in the state of Georgia, and now it’s time to control big-money influence in Congress.”

DAVID BELL (D) District 10 (East central–Augusta)

BORN: Dec. 13, 1949, Augusta EDUCATION: The Citadel, A.B., 1971; U of Georgia, J.D., 1977 FAMILY: Wife, Susie; four children RELIGION: Baptist MILITARY: Army, 1972-74 OCCUPATION: Lawyer POLITICAL CAREER: None ADDRESS: P.O. Box 31256, Augusta 30903. Tel.: 706-722-022 The youngest deacon ever at his church, Bell is a firm believer in the role of religion in American life and, as a self-described “independent voice of conservatism,” won’t relinquish the issue of family values to his Republican opponents. But he promises to put the needs of the redrawn district above partisan politics. Though Bell says he wants a balanced budget as much as the next legislator, he won’t sacrifice Medicare, student loans or the environment.

THE ISSUES Budget NR Medicare NR Defense NR Abortion NR Guns NR Gays NR Bosnia NR NAFTA NR Welfare NR Medical Leave NR (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)

QUOTE OF NOTE: “We need a balance in Congress. But we must cut with compassion. In the zeal to downsize government, we cannot sacrifice the most vulnerable among us–our senior citizens and our children.”

CHARLIE NORWOOD (R) District 10

BORN: July 27, 1941, Valdosta EDUCATION: Georgia Southern U, B.S., 1965; Georgetown U, D.D.S., 1969 FAMILY: Wife, Gloria; two children RELIGION: Methodist MILITARY: Army, 1967-69 OCCUPATION: Dentist POLITICAL CAREER: U.S. House, 1994- ADDRESS: P.O. Box 499, Evans 30809. Tel.: 706-738-8400

A dentist for more than 20 years, Norwood once rose in the House to mark the 100th anniversary of dental floss. In fact, he speaks out regularly for good health care, while opposing universal, government-controlled health insurance. Norwood also supports the death penalty, and in most ways is a fiscal conservative. That may not appeal to his new constituency in the redrawn 10th, which is now 34% African American, twice what it was in the old district.

THE ISSUES

Budget YES Medicare YES Defense NO Abortion YES Guns NO Gays NO Bosnia YES NAFTA NO Welfare YES Medical Leave NR (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)

QUOTE OF NOTE: “The sheriffs and district attorneys in my district tell me they don’t need more gun control, they need the ability to take gun-carrying criminals off the street.”

JOHN LINDER (R) District 11 (Northeast–Athens)

BORN: Sept. 9, 1942, Deer River, Minn. EDUCATION: U of Minnesota, Duluth, B.S., 1963; U of Minnesota, D.D.S., 1967 FAMILY: Wife, Lynne; two children RELIGION: Presbyterian MILITARY: Air Force, 1967-69 OCCUPATION: Financial executive; dentist POLITICAL CAREER: Georgia House, 1975-81, 1983-91; U.S. House, 1992- ADDRESS: P.O. Box 942060, Atlanta 31141. Tel.: 770-458-2400

Linder has gained a reputation as a budget hawk and an advocate for small business during his two terms on Capitol Hill. He is also tight with G.O.P. honchos: when Newt Gingrich considered running for President, he enlisted Linder’s help. But even with Republican patronage and four years’ experience, Linder, like all other Georgia candidates for the House, is testing his incumbency in a redrawn district.

THE ISSUES Budget YES Medicare YES Defense NO Abortion YES Guns NO Gays YES Bosnia YES NAFTA YES Welfare YES Medical Leave NO (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)

QUOTE OF NOTE: “The federal bureaucrats have never trusted our citizens to decide what is best for their families and communities.”

TOMMY STEPHENSON (D) District 11

BORN: Oct. 1, 1954, Commerce EDUCATION: Atlanta Law School, J.D., 1981; U of Georgia, B.A., 1990 FAMILY: Divorced; two children RELIGION: Congregational Holiness MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Respiratory therapist POLITICAL CAREER: Mayor of Commerce, 1981-87; Georgia House, 1993- ADDRESS: P.O. Box 48255, Athens 30604. Tel.: 706-548-6892

Stephenson is no political novice; and he can win races in which he is the underdog, including, when he was only 25, beating the mayor of Commerce. In the redrawn 11th–it’s no longer African American, but is it conservative?–Stephenson says he won’t be hamstrung by his party’s agenda. He supports “workfare” as well as school-lunch programs.

THE ISSUES Budget NO Medicare NO Defense YES Abortion NO Guns NO Gays YES Bosnia NO NAFTA YES Welfare NO Medical Leave YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)

QUOTE OF NOTE: “The two-strikes-and-you’re-out legislation removes violent criminals from society after the commission of two violent crimes for life without parole…This conservative approach to crime is necessary in our constant battle to make our streets safe for all our citizens.”