Martha Zoller and Doug Collins have become the first and second candidates to sign the Taxpayer Protection Pledge in Georgia’s new 9th Congressional District. This district was added after the 2010 Census and is located in North Georgia. As this is a new district, there will be no incumbent in the 2012 election.
The new district, described by Cook Political Report as being “heavily conservative”, is in the northeast corner of Georgia and is centered in Gainesville. Current Representative of the 9th Congressional District, Republican Tom Graves, will be running in the newly redrawn 14th District. Both Cook and Rothenburg Political Reports have classified the 9th District race as “Solid Republican.”
Four GOP candidates have declared their candidacy in the 9th District, thus far. Other declared candidates include Jackson County Commission Chair Hunter Bicknell and ex-Hall County Chamber of Commerce executive Clifton McDuffie.
By signing the Pledge, these candidates have committed to the taxpayers of Georgia that they will “oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rates for individuals and/or businesses … and oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates.”