Caldwell Tops Byrd in GOP House Primary
Challenger defeats four-term incumbent this time after losing bid in 2010.
Republican Michael Caldwell won the Republican nomination for the state House District 20 seat Tuesday, stunning four-term incumbent Rep. Charlice Byrd.
Caldwell defeated Byrd with 5,093 votes compared to the incumbent's 4,452, or 53.36 percent to 46.64 percent, according to returns.
Caldwell had challenged Byrd in the July 2010 primaries but received 46 percent of the votes.
The Republican faces Democrat Lillian Burnaman in the November election. Burnaman ran unopposed and received 824 votes Tuesday.
Caldwell is married to Katie Caldwell and grew up in District 20. He graduated from Cherokee County schools and from Kennesaw State University with a bachelor's in finance. He works for Python Safety and sells safety equipment to the nuclear power industry.
Byrd serves on five House committees: Vice Chairman of Children and Youth, Economic Development and Tourism, Health and Human Services, Judiciary Non-Civil and Secretary of Science and Technology.
She and her husband, Michael, live in Woodstock and are members of the First Baptist Church of Woodstock.
Come back to Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch for further details on this race.
In This article
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Cherokee County School District Central Office Complex
111 Academy St, Canton, GA -
Kennesaw State University
1000 Chastain Rd NW, Kennesaw, GA
Strayt Hotchman
1:36 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Well, this isn't good for the Republican party. This kid is now going to run against the democrat nominee and will be way out-funded. You can expect the national dem party to put a lot of money and resources into getting their pigeon elected. I wonder if they put resources into getting Caldwell elected, so they would have an easier target going against Bernaman.
Even if he were to win, he's a babe-in-the woods and won't have a clue. What a colossal mistake.
Kea
5:31 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Ha ha ha ha! You OBVIOUSLY don't know Michael :)
Holly J
5:31 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Everybody is a "babe in the woods" at some point. Is that any reason to continue electing the same person who does nothing for his/her constituents? Not in my book. I'm glad to see some new blood in the race and, come on, this is Cherokee County. Even the national party doesn't have enough money to win a race here. If only we could have ousted the rest of our incumbent "leaders" under the Gold Dome.
Concerned parent
8:34 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Don't worry. Chip will take him under his wing and teach him everything he knows.
Renee Gable
9:32 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
In this particular race, it is a sad day for Cherokee County and District 20
Rachel G
10:54 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Caldwell for House! I am a proud supporter and believe this is a great thing!!
John
11:25 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Though not a member of the district, am non the less glad to see this young man win. Sounds like he has some integrity which I believe is sorely lacking in most of the members of the present delegation. Would not expect the Democrat to have much of a chance, but doubt she would be any worse than Byrd.
David Leggett
11:28 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Very happy to see Michael Caldwell win the primary here in District 20. This is a victory for District #20, as well as all Georgians.
Contrary to the stigma, this election proves that campaigns can be ran without lobbyist funding, out of state funding, or funding from other political campaigns. Hopefully this campaign will be used as a model for other candidates statewide in the future.
Congrats to everyone involved!
I hope that Charlice Byrd will stay involved in the local community. She was a good conservative, and I thank her for her years of service. I believe Michael Caldwell will be an outstanding new representative for District #20.