Democratic incumbent Sanford Bishop – a member of the Congressional Black Caucus and conservative Blue Dog Democrats – has represented the district since 1993 and usually wins easy reelection.
But now, the polling site Real Clear Politics has moved this seat to “leans Republican” (though the other major polling sites still categorize it as a toss-up).
His Republican opponent, state Rep. Mike McKeown, has hit Congressman Bishop hard for his support of unpopular bills such as health-care reform, cap and trade for carbon emissions, and the economic stimulus law.
If Bishop manages to hang onto the seat, that’s a good sign for Democrats. Also keep an eye on Georgia’s Eighth District, where Republicans are favored to pick up a seat, and the 12th, where Democrats hope to keep it. A win by the opposite party in either district would be a strong signal of how the night is going to look.
Polls in Georgia close at 7 p.m. Eastern time.
