Gwinnett Daily Post

After a few weeks of slipping in the caucuses and primaries, a poll shows Newt Gingrich is still the hometown favorite for president.

Gingrich, the former House speaker currently seeking the Republican nomination for president, will be in Gwinnett Saturday at a GOP mass meeting. He plans to be at Collins Hill High School at 11:30 a.m.

But he is already the top pick for Georgians, who used to be the congressman's constituents.

In a poll of 1,475 Republican voters, Gingrich is in first place with 35 percent of the support.

Rick Santorum, the former Pennsylvania senator who has had a surprising showing in recent weeks, came in second place with 26 percent. Former Massachussetts Gov. Mitt Romney has 16 percent, according to the poll conducted by Landmark Communications and Rosetta Stone Communications.

"Gingrich leads, and the fight seems for now to have become a battle for second place," said Mark Rountree, president of Duluth-based Landmark Communications. "The race remains volatile."

"Voter preferences continue to be fluid," said John Garst, president of Rosetta Stone Communications. "The question is whether Santorum's surge can hold until Super Tuesday, or whether it's just reflecting the news week."

According to a press release, the poll was conducted Thursday with 1,475 voters who voted in either the 2008 Republican Presidential Preference Primary, or the 2010 Republican General Primary Election.

With a margin of error of 2.55 percent, poll results reflect only those respondents who stated that they intend to vote in the 2012 Republican Presidential Primary, scheduled for March 6.

Sexton runs in judicial race

Another candidate has entered the race for Gwinnett County Superior Court judge, to replace the retiring Dawson Jackson.

Giles Sexton plans to launch his campaign with a kickoff party and fundraising event Thursday, Feb. 23 at Hamilton Mill Golf and Country Club in Dacula.

Sexton began interning in the Gwinnett Solicitors office after he graduated from the University of Georgia. He worked there full time through law school, then joined his father's practice, the Sexton Law Firm. He took over as sole proprietor of the practice after his father passed away in 2008.

Sexton, who lives in Dacula with his wife and two daughters, has handled civil, domestic, and criminal cases, specializing in criminal law.

In the release, he said he looks forward to the opportunity to serve as judge and "ensure that all parties are treated with respect and receive a fair and timely resolution to their case."

For more information about the candidate, go to www.GilesSexton.com or http://www.facebook.com/gilessextonforjudge. To attend his campaign event, which requires a minimum contribution, email dtoth@canongategolf.com.

Kathy Schrader, Tracey Mason Blasi and Chris McClurg have also announced their candidacy for the race.

McClurg touts experience

In fact, last week, McClurg was excited to announce his campaign cash on hand amount was an "impressive $94,725.70.

McClurg's amount was nearly three times that of Blasi and four times that Schrader.

He also pointed out that he has handled 1,559 cases in the last nine years, well over the 240 of Schrader and 40 of Blasi, he said.

"I am honored by the support I have received from our donors and our committee members," the Buford man said in a press release. "I plan to run a positive campaign that highlights my courtroom experience. I have handled over 1,000 more cases than my nearest opponent and I think the voters in Gwinnett will respond favorably to the candidate for this position who clearly has the most experience."

Political Notebook appears in the Thursday and Sunday editions of the Gwinnett Daily Post.

Camie Young can be reached via email at camie.young@gwinnettdailypost.com.

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