New foe to challenge Georgia's Marshall

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Georgia state Rep. Austin Scott is planning to drop his campaign for governor and launch a challenge to Democratic Rep. Jim Marshall in the state's 8th Congressional District, a Republican source told POLITICO.

Scott, who was first elected to the Georgia Legislature at 26 and has served there since 1997, has failed to gain traction in a gubernatorial primary that includes multiple statewide Republican officials, but he's regarded as an up-and-comer in his party.

"He's got a base in the district," the Republican source said. "He brings to the table the financial resources to give Marshall a tough fight. And he's hungry."

Marshall won reelection against retired Gen. Rick Goddard by over 14 points in 2008, but his district broke for Sen. John McCain on the presidential level by a double-digit margin. Expect Scott's announcement soon: Georgia's filing deadline is Friday.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0410/36548.html