Over his three terms in Congress, Rep. Jim Marshall (D-Ga.) has proved he can hold down the battleground 8th district despite being targeted by Republicans intent on flipping the very conservative seat.

Facing one of the most hyped Republican recruits of this cycle, Marshall appears to have come away with a victory once again.

With 87 percent of precincts reporting, the Atlanta Journal Constitution called the race for Marshall, who had 55 percent to 45 percent for retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Rick Goddard (R).

Marshall will likely face another tough challenge in 2010, but he’s earned himself another two years in a perennial battleground.