FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 9, 2006

Buckner victorious in runoff, ready for November challenge

Democratic nominee says Secretary of State’s office is no ‘career stepping stone’

ATLANTA – Gail Buckner’s convincing victory Tuesday’s Democratic Runoff was a clear validation that experience matters in the election for Georgia Secretary of State.

Receiving more than 118,000 votes with 99 percent of precincts reporting statewide, Buckner won the runoff with 55 percent of the vote, an impressive follow-up to her first-place finish among six candidates in the July 18 Democratic Primary.

“The people of Georgia responded to our message that experience matters in the election for this important state constitutional office,” Buckner, who has served 16 years in the state House of Representatives, told an enthusiastic gathering of supporters Tuesday night. “We can enjoy this victory for a short while; then it's back to work again, preparing for the November 7 General Election against a well-funded Republican candidate. But with your help, I'm ready for the challenge!”

Buckner repeated her commitment to stay on the job “until the work gets done – and Georgia has the finest Secretary of State’s Office in the nation. I am not seeking this office as a career stepping stone.”

Buckner thanked her fellow Primary candidates “for helping energize the Democratic Party throughout our state” and asked for their support for a united Democratic ticket in the November 7 general election.

“I am proud to join Mark Taylor, Jim Martin, Michael Thurmond, Denise Majette, Tommy Irvin, and Thurbert Baker on what will be a winning team for everyday Georgians in 2006,” Buckner said. “I look forward to traveling the state again, talking with and listening to the people of Georgia over the next three months.”

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