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Former Gov. Roy Barnes Endorses Jim Martin, Democratic Candidate for Lieutenant Governor

Gov. Barnes Makes His First Endorsement in a Contested Statewide Primary as Martin's Campaign Begins its Television and Radio Ad Blitz

ATLANTA, GA - July 6 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- In a radio advertisement airing statewide beginning today, former Gov. Roy Barnes announces his endorsement of Jim Martin in the race for Lieutenant Governor. Gov. Barnes's endorsement of Martin, who served 18 years in the state House of Representatives and as Commissioner of Human Resources under two governors, is the former governor's first endorsement this year in a contested statewide primary.

Gov. Barnes's endorsement comes as Martin's campaign begins its television and radio advertising blitz two weeks before the July 18 Democratic primary.

"I am proud that Gov. Barnes trusts me to fight for families, children, and seniors as our next Lieutenant Governor," Martin said. "Our next Lieutenant Governor must be an effective leader who can work to make healthcare more affordable and accessible and bring more good jobs to this state.

To listen to the radio ad, go to: www.jimforgeorgia.com/press-releases/164/former-gov-barnes-endorses-jim.

To view Martin's first television ad, which began airing yesterday, go to: www.Jimforgeorgia.com/press-releases/163/jim-begins-tv-ad-blitz.

"Gov. Barnes's support confirms what the legislators endorsing me have already said - that I am the best candidate to find real solutions to the problems Georgians face," Martin said.

Gov. Barnes joins 25 current members of the Georgia House and Senate in endorsing Martin's candidacy. Recently, Rep. Terry Coleman, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Sen. Kasim Reed, and Rep. Carl Von Epps joined 22 of their Democratic colleagues in the Georgia House and Senate who are endorsing Martin's candidacy. The legislators represent areas ranging from Randolph County in the southwest corner of the state to Chatham County in the east to DeKalb County in the metro Atlanta area. No other Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor can claim as broad a base of support among state legislators.

In addition, former Lieutenant Governor Pierre Howard and 25 former members of the state House and Senate have endorsed Martin's campaign. For a complete list of current and former legislators endorsing Martin's candidacy, please contact Will Martin at the campaign.

A Vietnam veteran and church elder, Martin served with distinction for nearly two decades in the Georgia House of Representatives, chairing the Judiciary and Ethics Committees and authoring over 60 laws that improve the lives of Georgia's families and protect seniors and children. Martin later led the Department of Human Resources under Governors Roy Barnes and Sonny Perdue. He and Joan, his wife of 36 years, have four children, Morgan, Rebecca, Jay, and Frank, and two grandchildren, Quinn and Grant.

Below is a transcript of the radio ad:

"I'm former Governor Roy Barnes, and I'm supporting Jim Martin in the Democratic Primary for Lieutenant Governor on July 18th. I've known Jim for as long as I have been involved in public service.

"And for over 20 years, Jim Martin has led the fight in state government to improve the lives of Georgia's children, senior citizens, and families.

"If it were not for Jim Martin, there would be no PeachCare program to provide Georgia children with healthcare.

"And if it were not for Jim Martin, there'd be no home health standards to protect seniors from abuse and neglect.

"The truth is that no other candidate for Lieutenant Governor has a record of leadership and accomplishment or shares our values more than Jim Martin. That's why I am joining Representative Tyrone Brooks and many others who know how hard Jim has fought for those who need it most.

"I'm Roy Barnes. I'm proud to support my friend Jim Martin for Lieutenant Governor on July 18th."

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