Democrat Cooley comments on decision to enter congressional race

GAINESVILLE - Georgia's Ninth District Congressional race looks a bit different at the end of the qualifying period than originally expected.

Democrat Jody Cooley filed his qualifying papers close to the noon deadline. The Gainesville attorney becomes the lone Democrat to run for the newly-drawn district.

Cooley, a Gainesville lawyer, has served on the Gainesville City School Board, the Gainesville Parks and Recreation Board, and is a former president of the Gainesville-Northeastern Bar Association.

He said he qualified because he loves Northeast Georgia and its people, and believes that all of its residents should have a choice and a voice in the general election.

"There are many issues and perspectives that are not represented on the Republican side of the ballot. With the explosion of hyper-partisan media, including talk radio and TV shows, many people are intimidated from expressing their particular views and opinions."

Cooley added he believes the country faces serious budget challenges, but believes shared sacrifice is the only appropriate response.

Cooley said he supports comprehensive immigration reform as a matter of faith and basic human rights and believes that it would have great economic benefit while also reducing or eliminating the new regulations imposed upon employers.

Cooley joins Republicans Doug Collins, Roger Fitzpatrick and Martha Zoller in the race.

Republican Hunter Bicknell announced Thursday that he had decided he would opt out of the congressional race and run instead for re-election to the Jackson County Commission Chairman's post.

Republican businessman Cliff McDuffie had declared his candidacy for the race, but he did not file qualifying papers by the noon deadline Friday.

A complete list of area candidates will be available later this afternoon.