Gwinnett Daily Post

LAWRENCEVILLE -- Republican Lisbeth Carter will challenge Democratic incumbent Hank Johnson in November for the District 4 seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

With 95 percent of precincts reporting according to the Secretary of State's website, Carter was well on her way to securing the Republican nomination in Tuesday's primary election, drawing 54.8 percent of the 17,306 votes tallied.

She celebrated poll results in her favor with more than 100 supporters at Matthew's Cafeteria in Tucker.

"We're going to continue our path to reach across to all the people of District 4," Carter said Tuesday night. "We look forward to a good race with Congressman Johnson.

"I look forward 'yanking Hank,'" she added.

Carter was followed on the Republican ballot by Larry Gause with 25.5 percent of the tallied votes, Victor Armendariz with 10 percent and Cory Ruth, who drew 9.7 percent.

Johnson had garnered 55.3 percent of 50,572 votes tallied on Democratic ballots, followed by Vernon Jones with 26.3 percent and Connie Stokes with 18.4 percent.

Initial poll results by county put Gwinnett voters who cast Republican ballots supporting Carter with 1,105 of 2,192 votes, followed by Gause with 668 votes.

Johnson drew 790 of 1,560 votes from Gwinnett voters casting Democratic ballots, followed by Jones with 437 votes.

Johnson could not be reached Tuesday night for comment.