Buddy Carter wins GOP runoff for Jack Kingston's House seat

Arkansas-Florida Live Blog

SAVANNAH, Ga. - Buddy Carter has won the Republican nomination to replace GOP Rep. Jack Kingston in the U.S. House.

Carter, a state senator from Pooler, defeated Savannah surgeon Bob Johnson in a Tuesday runoff in the 1st Congressional District, which covers southeast Georgia from the coast to the Florida line. Carter counted on his political experience and connections, while Johnson courted tea party voters.

Kingston stepped aside after 22 years as the district's congressman to run for the Senate.

Carter has served in the state Legislature since 2006. Before that he was mayor of Pooler, a small city outside Savannah.

In the November election, Carter will face Democrat Brian Reese of Savannah, who also won a runoff Tuesday.

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