Saxby Chambliss Leads Challengers

ATLANTA (AP) - Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss is battling for a second term, fighting a surge of Democratic voters and frustration over the economy.

With 45 percent of precincts reporting, Chambliss leads Democrat Jim Martin 57 percent to 40 percent. Libertarian Allen Buckley, who could force the race into a December 2nd runoff, is pulling 3 percent.

That is without Democratic strongholds in Fulton and DeKalb counties reporting.

At a Republican party at the Intercontinental Hotel in Atlanta, Chambliss predicts the race will be “very, very close” but said there is a chance to avoid a runoff with more than 50 percent of the vote.

The last Senate runoff in Georgia was in 1992 when Republican Paul Coverdell defeated Democrat Wyche Fowler.

Among Georgia’s congressional races, Democratic Rep. Jim Marshall is beating back a challenge from Republican Rick Goddard, who once commanded Robins Air Force Base. In 2006, Marshall, a former mayor of Macon, eked out a win by just 1,752 votes against former U.S. Rep. Mac Collins.

In other House races, both Republican and Democratic incumbents are projected to win new terms.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)