Griffin Lotson, William Ligon Talk Issues instead of slinging Mud in Debate for Senate District 3

Mike Morrison of The Florida Times Union has the story.

We've got a week to go," Lotson said Tuesday. "I think we'll make it."

The race in state Senate District 3 has remained a calm competition during a turbulent political season, with Democrat Griffin Lotson and Republican William Ligon vowing to hold down the mudslinging.

"Ligon said he and Lotson have focused on the issues, purposefully avoiding the negative campaigning and bombastic rhetoric that seem to characterize today's political campaigns.

"I've been stating my position, and he's been stating his," Ligon said. "That's what we've done."

Lotson is a Darien resident, a minister and CEO of a nonprofit he founded. Ligon is a Brunswick lawyer and former municipal court judge. They are vying to replace Jeff Chapman, a popular and independent-minded legislator who made an unsuccessful run at governor instead of seeking another term in the Senate.

The district includes Brantley, Charlton, Camden, McIntosh and Glynn counties.

For Ligon, this is his first foray into politics. Lotson has been in numerous races - Darien mayor several times, City Council, Soil and Water Commission - and has lost each time. He also made a long-shot run at lieutenant governor.

Despite representing parties that are about as far apart as they can be, the two candidates agree that job creation, the economy and education are the to*****ues they would face in the state Senate.

To Lotson, the job issue is so important that he lists it twice.

"Jobs, that's the wheel that turns the economy," he said.

Having an educated workforce in place is imperative in luring new employers to the area, he said.

"You have to have a work-ready force ready to fill the positions," he said. "That's something businesses consider when they're considering going into a new area."

Ligon said the General Assembly needs to take a long look at how it does business.

"We've got to keep government growth and spending under control," he said.

It will also be important for whoever is elected to keep an eye on the district's natural resources, he said.

"We've got to make sure we're guarding our natural resources, specifically our water resources," he said.

With Atlanta's thirst for water steadily increasing, it will be necessary to that ensure that its withdrawals don't deplete the downstream flows that nourish the ecosystems along the coast, he said.

Regardless of who comes out on top in the election, the two candidates say they will remain on good terms. Both do work for Habitat for Humanity in McIntosh County.