Early voting is now open for the presidential primary, but election officials said the state has not yet sent the documents necessary to offer early voting in the runoff for Georgia House District 107. Both elections will be on March 6.

Paul Smith and Tom Kirby - top vote getters in the HD 107 election on Feb. 7 - face off again on March 6 for unexpired term of former Rep. Len Walker (R-Loganville). Smith took 41.9 percent of the vote in the Feb. 7 Special Election, less than the 50 percent plus one needed to win outright. Kirby earned 23.7 percent. Of the other two candidates, Mark Banks earned 23.4 percent of the votes and Michael Lynch 11 percent. All four candidates were from Loganville.

Smith said in the next couple of weeks he will be working harder than ever to earn the trust and support of the voters of Walton and Gwinnett Counties.

“We are currently without representation in Atlanta, so it is not only vital to send a representative to the Capitol, but we need someone that will stand strong for our conservative values,” Smith said.

Kirby said he and his team also would be working hard in the days leading up to the day of the election, meeting voters and talking about the issues. Both candidates said they would be reaching out to the two candidates who didn't qualify for the runoff. Kirby said he had already spoken to Banks.

“But more importantly, we will be working hard to earn the trust and confidence of each of their supporters when they return to the polls on March 6,” Kirby said.

Both candidates also acknowledge the March 6 election, being a presidential primary, will be a different election with many more voters expected at the polls. Only 1,962 people voted in the initial HD 107 election - 944 from Gwinnett County and 1018 from Walton County.

“We have a lot more voters to reach, and I certainly look forward to personally talking with more of the people of this district,” Smith said. “The best part of this campaign is listening to the issues and concerns of the people and I look forward to hearing from them over the next few weeks.” 

The strong showing of Smith, a pastor, surprised many since it was the first time he has sought political office. Kirby congratulated Smith on his success and the support he received in the election, but said he still believes he is the best man for the job.

“(Smith's) time spent as a lobbyist gave him some contacts that helped,” Kirby said, adding that he believes his own campaign, however, is the only one that offers true Constitutional conservative values and bold solutions to the issues facing Georgia and the citizens of District 107. “We are excited to get to Atlanta and get busy conducting the people’s business,” Kirby said.