By DAVE HAMRICK
dhamrick@TheCitizenNews.com

Republicans at the state and local level are gunning for the only Democrat in Fayette County's legislative delegation, Sent. Greg Hecht.

“With two thirds of voters in Senate District 34 choosing Republican ballots in Georgia's recent Presidential Primary election, Republicans expect to pose a serious challenge to state Sen. Greg Hecht in the General Election this fall,” says a news release from the Georgia Republican Party.

Eric Dial, chairman of the Fayette Republican Party, said the local party will be working hard to unseat Hecht.

“We are focused on bringing that [seat] back to a Republican,” said Dial. “A couple of people have expressed an interest, and we are committed to doing what we can to help them,” he said.

Hecht, a Jonesboro lawyer, is serving his first term in the district, which includes parts of Clayton, Fayette, Douglas and south Fulton counties.

“That wouldn't surprise me,” he said when told of GOP plans to target him for defeat. But he said he is ready to defend his record.

“I'm very fortunate in that I have a lot of support among Republicans, Democrats and independents,” he said, “because I've worked for tax cuts, long prison sentences for criminals and support for business.

“I'm looking forward to the exchange of ideas and a positive [election] race,” he added.

Among possible Republican candidates, rumors are that Pam Glanton is thinking of running for her old seat. Glanton gave up the seat in 1998 to run an unsuccessful bid for lieutenant governor. Also mentioned is Brian Hilton, mayor of Lithia Springs.

State GOP political director Scott Rials said Hecht's election was a fluke. “Sen. Hecht was elected to office in 1998 in what was a down year for Republicans nationwide,” he said. “This election cycle our base is reenergized as evidenced by the tremendous Republican turnout for the Presidential Primary.”

With a strong presidential ticket for Republicans, and with no gubernatorial race to energize Democrats, Dial said he thinks Democrats in strong Republican areas will be vulnerable.

Among issues in 2000, Rials said Republicans will point to ethics complaints filed against 14 Democrat state senators. Though Hecht is not one of those, Democrats held up ethics reform legislation in the just-ending session, adding to their vulnerability in general, he said.

The 34th Senate District is definitely in play,” he said.

“We appreciate the commitment and support from the state party in targeting this seat,” said Dial.

Hecht said even if Republicans turn out in strong numbers, some of them will vote for him. Pointing to his work on a sales tax cut for back to school items, and his own bills targeting elder abuse and cemetery fraud, and providing new tools for law enforcement, he said he will fight to keep his seat.

“You just deal with that,” he said, referring to the fact that he will have to fight the state party, not just local ones.

He added a word of caution that Republicans shouldn't boast too soon. “Horse races are won at the end of the race,” he said.