By JOHN THOMPSON
Staff Writer

As Aug.11 draws closer, the race for the Superior Court Judge is starting to heat up.

During last month's primary, Fayette resident Chris Edwards led the crowded field and polled 40.2 percent of the votes, while runner-up David Fowler finished with 28.1 percent.

The race is the first in a generation that voters will elect a judge to the Superior Court and last week, the endorsements started appearing for each candidate.

Edwards, 42, lives in Brooks and has been the most visible candidate. Residents have seen the candidate waving to cars on Fayette's busy state highways and Edwards has been out in force during the elction season.

He's worked as a district attorney in the Griffin Judicial Circuit and prosecuted everything from murder to drug cases. Edwards currently has his own firm that specializes in wrongful death and personal injury cases.

Fowler, 48, lives in Molena and was an assistant district attorney in the Griffin Judicial Circuit for 13 years.

He believes his prosecution experience makes him the best candidate and currently works for the state prosecuting drug cases.

Peachtree City lawyer Doug Warner and Michelle Lundy, who finished third and fourth in the race, endorsed Fowler as the best candidate.

In his letter of endorsement, Warner questioned Edwards' experience for the job.

"It is my understanding that he prosecuted cases for five years in the early years of his practice, and has maintained a personal injury practice for the past 12 years. David Fowler, on the other hand, has prosecuted cases continuously for 21 years, and currently prosecutes cases statewide," Warner wrote.

Warner also questioned Edwards' assertion that it's critical for the next Superior Court judge to be from Fayette County.

"As his qualification affidavit states that he has lived in Fayette County for less than one year and as he practices law in Griffin, I don't consider this to be a serious factor at this point," Warner said.

After hearing warner's endorsement, Edwards said he had already received the endorsement of over 10,000 voters and looked forward to the runoff.

"I believe that each individual voter's endorsement is what counts, and that on Aug.11 voters will approve of my hard work, determination, superior credentials, dual background in both criminal prosecution and civil law, and my tough anti-crime position," Edwards said.

He also rebuffed claims that he's only lived in the county for one year, by saying this is the third house he's owned in the county and personal circumstances caused him to move to Griffin in between stints in Fayette County.

For his part, Fowler was thrilled with the endorsements of the other candidates and said he's going to try and talk to as many voters between now and Aug. 11.

"I want to see people, not necessarily be seen by them," he said.

On Monday, Edwards picked up the endorsement of State Representative John Yates R-Griffin, who said he's been impressed with Edwards' record.

"His deep and abiding faith impressed me that he was a man who you could trust to be tough on crime, but still be fair to all," Yates said.

Both Edwards and Fowler vow to be hard on criminals and emphasize tough prison punishment.