Collins, Jones square off in District 10 debate

The two Republicans running to represent Athens in the US House staged a heated debate Monday in Atlanta: Mike Collins was the top vote getter in the May 24 GOP primary; Vernon Jones was the runner up.

Flashpoints in the Georgia Press Club faceoff included Jones’ allegations that Collins sought Democratic crossover votes in his unsuccessful 2014 campaign for Congress, while Collins targeted Jones for voting in Democrat primaries as recently as 2020.

They’ll face the voters two weeks from today. Early voting starts Saturday at the Elections Office on Washington Street in Athens.

Athens voters will also settle a District 5 County Commission contest. The race to fill the open seat pits Dexter Fisher against Matt Pulver. Voters in Oconee County will decide a School Board race: either Julie Mauck or Ryan Hammock will represent Post 3 on the Oconee County Board of Education.

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