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Stage Set for 6-way Democratic Primary in Georgia 7th

May 22 race will be among the most crowded in the state

A crowded field is lined up for the Democratic primary in Georgia’s 7th District, a conservative stronghold where Republican incumbent Rob Woodall, pictured, won handily in 2016.  (Al Drago/CQ Roll Call)
A crowded field is lined up for the Democratic primary in Georgia’s 7th District, a conservative stronghold where Republican incumbent Rob Woodall, pictured, won handily in 2016.  (Al Drago/CQ Roll Call)

Georgia’s 7th District will have a six-way Democratic primary after a former healthcare professional qualified for the race, according to local news reports Friday. 

The seat is currently occupied by fourth-term Republican Robert Woodall and is rated Solid Republican by Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales. 

The latest candidate to enter the fray, Kathleen Allen, told the Forsyth County News she was inspired to run after hearing an elected official’s take on the affordable care act, an issue she has dealt with professionally. The newspaper did not identify the official.

“I thought this district deserves to be represented by someone who is listening to them and who knows what niche issues in this whole health care package relate to different constituents,” Allen told the newspaper. 

Qualifying for the seat wrapped up last week and the field is among the most crowded of any of the state’s U.S. House races, according to the Associated Press.

The district voted 51.1 percent for President Donald Trump in the 2016 election, and 44.8 percent to Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. That year, Woodall bested his Democratic opponent, Rashid Malik, with 60.4 percent of the vote.

Allan will join Democrats Carolyn Bourdeaux, David Kim, Ethan Pham, Melissa Davis and Steve Reilly in the May 22 primary. On the Republican side, Woodall will have only one challenger, Shane Hazel. The winners will face each other on Nov. 6.

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