WJBF News Channel 6 - Rick Allen All Smiles About District 12 Congressional Race Results

News Article

By Renetta DuBose

In Georgia's 12th Congressional District, five republicans were battling each other to take on Incumbent Democrat John Barrow in November. Reports show that local businessman Rick Allen is going to face Barrow.

The Republican candidates all had one goal in mind now that the newly drawn District 12 has more of a Republican constituency, unseat John Barrow. Not all will be able to do so in the fall. News Channel 6 spoke with Rick Allen and Eugene Yu about the work that's been done and the work that lies ahead.

"I'm feeling very thankful right now," Allen said.

"I am very grateful for [the fact that] people voted for me that much," Yu said.

Republicans crowded the 12th Congressional District race with plans to unseat the incumbent and lone Democrat on the other party's ticket.

Allen said, "I don't think John Barrow is an example of the values that we hold in the 12th District of Georgia."

Businessman Rick Allen, who took the lead and ran with it as election results rolled in, addressed his supporters with prayer and peace about being on the ballot in November's election.

At the Eugene Yu watch party, supporters too waited on the news of whether the businessman would face Barrow in the fall. With Allen's large lead, Yu had this message for the assumed winner.

"First and foremost, that person has a lot of responsibility. He cannot vote his personal interest. He will have to go with the people [of the] 12th District," he said.

Though cautiously optimistic, Allen is planning for the future. He said 360,000 jobs were lost statewide in 2008 because the economy was based on the housing industry. If given the chance he hopes to change that.

"I was chairman of the economic development committee with the Chamber and I'll work hand in hand with our governor to help grow jobs in the 12th district and the state of Georgia," said Allen.

Delvis Dutton and John Stone spent time watching in Statesboro and Martinez while Diane Vann didn't hold a party. Allen said he will get to work immediately with plans to huddle up with his team at his campaign headquarters and focus on unseating John Barrow.

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