Meet the candidates: Congressional primaries in Georgia, runoff in Alabama today

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By Congresspedia assistant editor Avelino Maestas

Georgia is our first stop in the "second half" of the congressional primary season: according to our schedule, it is one of 22 states that have not held a nominating contest. Our citizen editors have been keeping track of all the races across the country, and it looks like a couple of the ones in Georgia will be interesting. In addition, voters in two Alabama districts will return to the polls for runoff primary elections.

(Click through for more on the congressional primaries)

Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R) might have to wait until August 5 to find out who he’ll face in November, as five Democrats are running for the chance to challenge him. Dale Cardwell, Vernon Jones, Rand Knight, Josh Lanier and Jim Martin are trying to reach the 50-percent park in vote totals. If no candidate captures a majority, the top two candidates will move on to a primary election next month.

One of the other competitive races in the state features Rep. John Barrow (D), who is facing a tough primary challenge from Democratic state Sen. Regina Thomas in the 12th congressional district. Thomas is targeting Barrow for his moderate stances as a member of the Blue Dog caucus, conservative Democrats who often cross the aisle to work with Republicans on certain issues. Like other challengers this cycle, Thomas is hinging her hopes on her party’s base. Three incumbents have been upset by partisan candidates this cycle, but nobody in the South has pulled it off yet.

Next door in Alabama, Jay Love and Harri Anne Smith are in a runoff election for the Republican nomination in the 2nd district, where Rep. Terry Everett is retiring. The winner will face Democratic nominee Bobby Bright in November. Also, in the state's fifth district, Cheryl Guthrie and Wayne Parker are vying for the Republican nomination. That district also features an open seat: Rep. Bud Cramer (D) is also retiring. Democrats nominated Parker Griffith for the November ballot.

Congresspedia's citizen editors are busy updating the Wiki-the-Vote project, but you can help inform your fellow citizens by adding information to candidate profiles (find them through the various state portals). Here’s a quick guide to getting started, and you can always contact one of the staff editors for help.

Stay tuned tomorrow for the results from today’s races.