Reply #7: Reed faces voters for first time [View All]

[Judi Lynn]

Posted on Tue, Jul. 18, 2006
Reed faces voters for first time
GREG BLUESTEIN
Associated Press

ATLANTA - After years of working as a behind-the-scenes campaign strategist, Ralph Reed faced voters for the first time Tuesday as the candidate.

The former leader of the national Christian Coalition and the state's Republican Party is running to become Georgia's lieutenant governor, a mostly powerless post seen as a stepping stone to the governor's office. Now the typically low-profile race has turned into a fight for Reed's political future and personal reputation.

When he entered the race for Georgia's No. 2 job last year, he broke early fundraising records and scared other would-be Republican contenders out of running. But that was before revelations over his ties to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff emerged, energizing the campaign of his sole Republican opponent, state Sen. Casey Cagle of Gainesville.
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Contributions have poured into both campaigns - which have raised roughly $2.5 million apiece - and recent polls show the two in a dead heat. Endorsements have followed, with Reed landing the support of former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Cagle earning the nod of former presidential candidate Steve Forbes.
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http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/mld/ledgerenquirer/news/local/15062188.htm