7/21/2010 -

Atlanta--Tuesday Roy Barnes won the Democratic Primary, garnering more than 60 percent of the vote and avoiding a run-off in a seven-person race to become Georgia’s Democratic nominee for governor. Barnes will face the winner of the Republican runoff election in November.

“Tonight, Marie and I are grateful and humbled by the support my campaign received from the thousands of Democrats, Republicans and Independents across the state who supported my campaign,” said Barnes. “I commend my opponents who all had new ideas and approaches to rebuild our state. They conducted themselves in a manner that brings credit to our system.”

“Now the hard work must begin to make Georgia work,” Barnes continued. “This election will be about whether we just want more of the same or do we want to rebuild confidence, improve our image and make Georgia work.”

“Tonight, Georgians sent a clear message that they trust Roy to restore our state,” said Chris Carpenter, Barnes’ Campaign Manager. “As our campaign moves into the general election, there couldn’t be a starker contrast between Roy and the other candidates. While his opponents need on-the-job training, Roy has the experience to go to work on day one to solve our state’s problems. From now until November, our campaign will continue to build a winning coalition of supporters all across Georgia who want to make our state work again.”