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PRESS RELEASE FROM AMERICANS FOR TAX REFORM
Contact: John Kartch ( jkartch@atr.org or 202-785-0266)

08/21/02

Taxpayers Win in Georgia Primaries
Taxpayer friendly candidates win across state in yesterday's Georgia primaries.

WASHINGTON - Georgia taxpayers have reason to cheer today, as three taxpayer-friendly candidates won big races in Georgia's state primaries.

"All in all, this was a good day for Georgia taxpayers," said taxpayer advocate Grover Norquist, who heads ATR in Washington. "Pro-taxpayer candidates won or will go to runoffs in virtually every race where they ran," he continued.

Rep. John Linder (R) prevailed in his primary against fellow Republican Bob Barr in the race for Georgia's 7th Congressional District seat. Both Linder and Barr scored highly on the Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) scorecard last year, both winning "Hero of the Taxpayer" Awards with scores of 100 and 90, respectively.

Both congressmen have also signed ATR's Taxpayer Protection Pledge, which commits candidates and elected officials to opposing and voting against new efforts to raise taxes. Currently, 211 members of the U.S. House of Representatives, 38 U.S. Senators, eight governors and over 1,250 state legislators and local officials have signed the Pledge.

In the U.S. Senate Primary, Republican Congressman Saxby Chambliss beat Georgia State Rep. Bob Irvin in the Republican primary, setting the stage for a battle with U.S. Sen. Max Cleland in November.

Both Chambliss and Irvin have signed the Pledge, while Sen. Max Cleland has consistently refused to promise no new taxes. In last year's ATR taxpayer scorecard, Chambliss scored a perfect 100, while Cleland scored a paltry 15 out of 100.

The Lieutenant Governor's race saw Pledgetaker and State Sen. Mike Beatty headed toward a runoff in the Republican primary against former state legislator Mike Stancil. Current Lieutenant Gov. Mark Taylor (D) has eschewed the pledge to oppose tax increases in Georgia.

"The Taxpayer Protection Pledge is the most important commitment that a candidate for elected office can make to his or her constituents," continued Norquist, "and I heartily encourage all candidates for local, state and federal office to take the Pledge - especially in Georgia's most important office, the Governor's Office."

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Americans for Tax Reform is a non-partisan coalition of taxpayers and taxpayer groups who oppose any and all federal and state tax increases.  For more information, or to arrange an interview with Mr. Norquist please contact John Kartch at (202)785-0266 or by email at jkartch@atr.org.