DALTON—Five Georgia congressional candidates talked issues over their box lunches at a Meet and Greet Governmental Forum held Sept. 1 at the Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center. The event, which was sponsored by the Carpet & Rug Institute’s (CRI) Government Issues Committee, offered the public an early look at some of the candidates vying for the Ninth District congressional seat being vacated by Nathan Deal in his bid for Georgia governor in 2010.

While at least nine candidates have announced their intention to run for the seat, the five Republicans on the dais have officially filed with the Federal Elections Commission. Appearing were: Mike Evans, former Georgia transportation board chairman and state representative; Tom Graves, state representative and real estate investor; Lee Hawkins, state senator; Jeremy Jones, businessman, and Bill Stephens, a former state senator and gubernatorial aide.

“This event took the place of the regularly scheduled Government Issues Committee meeting as an issue of local and regional importance,” said Frank Hurd, CRI vice president and government issues director. “CRI has sponsored similar events in the past.” The speakers took questions from about 60 people.

All five supported limiting government, cutting taxes and putting a halt to deficit spending. While opposed to government-run healthcare, several offered private sector-based ideas for reducing healthcare costs.

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