Despite presidential problems and predicted national voter apathy, Fayette Democrats seem to be shaking off a decade-long torpor to mount credible challenges in several local races, for years the undisputed province of the Republican Party.

Banking on Clayton County support, Greg Hecht of Jonesboro is seeking to convert a longtime Republican seat in the Georgia Senate to the Democrat side. Former Fayette County commissioner Bill Bonner is counting on strong GOP turnout in Fayette to propel him to his first legislative position.

Political newcomer Carolyn Fludd is drawing on widespread voter discontent with the current Fayette County Board of Education in her bid to become only the second Democrat elected to a local office since the early 1980s. (Exception: Superior Court Clerk Bud Ballard remains the lone Democrat in a local office.)

She is facing the GOP contender Mickey Littlefield for Post 5.

In Post 4, former Fayetteville mayor Roger Marietta is carrying the Democratic banner against Republican Greg Powers.

On the county commission, Greg Dunn (for Post 5) and former commissioner Linda Wells (for Post 4) try to keep the 5-member board an all-GOP group against Democratic challengers Stu Barnes and former East Point mayor Bruce Bannister.

Interviews with the candidates and coverage of their positions on the issues begin on Page 7A and continue on pages 10A and 11A.

In addition, the proposed state constitutional amendments and referendums are explained in detail on Page 11A.