At a glance
* What: Ninth District Congressional debate
* When: 10 a.m. Saturday
* Where: 715 Queen City Parkway, Suite 200, Gainesville
* Questions for the candidates can be submitted by Thursday to HallGOP@gmail.com, or direct to party Chairwoman Debra Pilgrim at hallcountygopchairman@yahoo.com.
GAINESVILLE — The Hall County GOP will hold a Republican primary debate for U.S. 9th Congressional District candidates Saturday in Gainesville.
Incumbent Rep. Doug Collins, R-Gainesville, will be in attendance to face challengers Paul Broun, Roger Fitzpatrick, Mike Scupin and Bernie Fontaine. The debate will be held at 715 Queen City Parkway, Suite 200.
The 9th District includes north Forsyth and some or all of 19 other counties. South Forsyth is in District 7.
Broun is a former congressman who represented Georgia’s 10th District from 2007-15.
Fitzpatrick is a retired educator from Cleveland who serves on the White County Board of Education.
Scupin is a Gainesville resident who has worked in regional planning and engineering. He is the founder of Lanier Tea Party Patriots.
Fontaine, a Suches resident, is a former political science teacher and military veteran.
Fitzpatrick and Fontaine opposed Collins in previous primaries, and this is the first bid for the seat by Scupin.
Joe Shubert will moderate the debate.
The primary is May 24. The last day to register to vote is April 26.