Burns
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The 2006 election just got a bit more challenging for U.S. Rep. John Linder (R-Duluth).
Early Wednesday, Lawrenceville resident Allan Burns launched his Web site announcing his intent to run as a Democrat for Georgia's 7th Congressional District seat.
"Representative Linder ran unopposed last time in 2004 and I just don't like that there are a lot of issues out there that are not being addressed," said Burns. "I wanted to provide another voice and certainly give some competing views, particularly on some critical issues involving energy and health care."
Energy concerns will be forefront in Burns' platform, focusing on developing a renewable energy source to become independent from foreign oil. If elected, he said he would endorse the Apollo Energy Independence Project to push the country toward energy independence.
"I think it has a lot of benefits, both in terms of our national security, as well as developing new industries, creating new jobs and also reducing greenhouse gases," said Burns. "I also would support a plan calling for a better health care system which provides for universal health care coverage."
Burns began his career working for the DeKalb County Planning Department for seven years, prior to starting a small business renovating older homes for resale. He later formed a residential remodeling company and has been involved in commercial construction for the past 18 years.
In spite of his 1972 degree in urban government from Georgia State University, this is Burns' first venture into politics. Burns said his lack of political experience gives him an advantage over Linder.
"I think I have a fresh perspective. Because I haven't been involved in politics, I'm not beholden to any special interest groups at all," he said. "I think I bring the perspective of a small business owner, and that's probably my greatest quality is the fact that I'm an ordinary citizen, family man and businessperson who wants to make a change in the way in which our country is headed."
On the family front, Burns lives in Lawrenceville with his wife Beverly. His six children and stepchildren are now adults, but Burns said being a father has provided him with "an appreciation of the struggles many parents face trying to raise healthy and happy children with limited resources."
Officials in Linder's office declined comment on Burns' candidacy.
Republican Party of Georgia Forsyth County Chairman Gray Smith said any efforts to run against Linder would be futile.
"I think Linder, as being a good conservative Republican, appeals to all Republicans, but he's done so much, especially with the FairTax initiative, that many common-sense Democrats, in turn, will vote for him," said Smith.
Linder, who has run for U.S. House seven times, won by a healthy margin in the five races with opposition. The closest margin was in 1992, when he was first elected to Congress by a margin of 50.5 percent to 49.5 percent. Since then, he has won by at least 15 percentage points and in 2002, he received 79 percent of the vote over Democratic opposition.
Forsyth County Commis-sioner David Richard, a supporter of Linder's FairTax legislation, said the base of voters in District 7 would probably continue the trend.
"Every challenge is something you've got to take seriously, but there is nothing in my mind that would keep John Linder from being re-elected at this point," he said. "Clearly I'm on Linder's side. I'm a huge fan of his FairTax plan and I would love to see that passed. The only way that is going to happen is if Linder stays in Congress. And he's a good guy to have there."
The FairTax plan essentially places the burden for raising revenue on a national sales tax. Burns said he anticipates a change in direction for the 2006 congressional votes, with a focus more on the Democratic Party, though he realizes the odds against him in the conservative District 7.
"I think what's happening in Washington is going to have a determining factor on how people are going to vote in 2006. I think there's a lot of disenchantment with a government that is completely dominated and run by one party," he said.
"I think we've lost checks and balances and there's some evidence of abuse of power. Certainly, we need people in Washington that will hold people accountable and I don't think that's happening under a Republican-controlled Congress and presidency."
Originally published Friday, December 30, 2005
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