John Barrow at 2010 campaign event
SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) -- Four Georgia Republicans running for a shot at defeating Democratic Rep. John Barrow of Augusta are each staking six-figure sums of their own money on the GOP primary election Tuesday.
Barrow's district includes Laurens, Treutlen and Wheeler counties in Central Georgia.
The GOP contenders in east Georgia's 12th District have dipped deep into their own wallets to pour a combined $668,000 into the primary race. Campaign finance reports show that for every dollar raised from outside donors, the Republican candidates have chipped in 57 cents of their own money. A runoff Aug. 21 is likely.
Augusta construction company owner Rick W. Allen has the largest stake, loaning his campaign $290,000. State Rep. Lee Anderson, a farmer from Grovetown, has put up $178,000 of his own cash. Attorneys Wright McLeod of Augusta and Maria Sheffield of Dublin each put in $100,000.