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Senate hopefuls focus on differences in Brenau debate
7 candidates square off in race to replace Chambliss
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Radio host Tim Bryant, left, moderated a Republican Party debate for U.S. Senate candidates held Saturday at Brenau University in Gainesville. From left are Art Gardner, Phil Gingrey, Karen Handel, David Perdue, Derrick Grayson, Jack Kingston and Paul Broun. - photo by JOSHUA L. JONES
The seven Republican candidates vying this year for the state’s U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Saxby Chambliss have more than a few things in common. But during a debate Saturday night at Brenau University’s Pearce Auditorium attended by a few hundred residents and political observers, each candidate took pains to highlight the nuances that separate them from the others on the bread-and-butter issues that energize GOP voters. Hosted by the Georgia Republican Party, the third debate in a series of seven set the stage for the May 20 primary that pits several Washington and state political veterans against a few upstarts looking to upend the dynamic that has seen Congress’ approval ratings plummet.