Victorious Graves returns to D.C.

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November 7, 2012

Victorious Graves returns to D.C.

Charles Oliver charlesoliver@daltoncitizen.com The Dalton Daily Citizen Wed Nov 07, 2012, 09:00 AM EST

Tom Graves says he’ll continue his fight to rein in federal debt and get the American economy growing.

“A lot of focus today is going to be on election results, whether it is here in Georgia or across the country. But when we all wake up, we are still faced with $16 trillion of debt as a nation and a trillion dollars of deficit spending a year for the last three years and over 20 million Americans are out of work or looking for work,” Graves said Tuesday night.

Graves, a Republican from Ranger who is currently serving his first full term in Congress, was re-elected, defeating Democrat Danny Grant, an electrician from Ringgold, in the race for Georgia’s 14th Congressional District.

Graves received 159,698 votes (72.99 percent) to 59,098 votes (27.01 percent) for Grant, according to the Secretary of State’s website. The 14th District includes both Whitfield and Murray counties. Graves carried Whitfield with 18,344 votes (72.45 percent) to 6,976 votes (27.55 percent), and Murray with 8,027 votes (75.95 percent) to 2,542 votes (24.05 percent).

Grant congratulated Graves on his victory.

“I wish him well, and I wish the country well because I do love America. I hope we can move past partisan bickering and move the country forward,” Grant said.

Graves was first elected in May 2010 to fill the unexpired term of Nathan Deal, who stepped down to run for governor, in the 9th Congressional District. Graves won his first full two-year term in the November 2010 general election. In December 2010, the House leadership appointed Graves to the Appropriations Committee. That committee oversees federal spending and is considered a plum assignment, one that usually goes only to representatives with quite a bit of seniority. But Graves was one of a handful of freshmen appointed to the committee.

The results of the 2010 census gave Georgia an additional district, the 14th. And when the maps were redrawn by the General Assembly last year, Graves ended up in the new district.

“I’m very grateful for the support I’ve received from the 14th Congressional District. It has been an amazing year of developing new friendships and enjoying the opportunity to work with so many folks as we came together in this new district,” Graves said. “This is the first time Georgia has had a 14th district and we have the opportunity to identify who we are and brand who we are.”

Grant said he was also grateful for the chance to campaign in a new district.

“I thank all of the people who supported me, and I’m happy to have represented them as a Democratic candidate in a tough district for a Democrat,” he said.

Graves thanked Grant for his efforts.

“I appreciate his willingness to put his name on the ballot and his willingness to serve his community,” Graves said of Grant.

Born in St. Petersburg, Fla., Graves spent his early years in White, Ga. He earned a bachelor of business administration in finance from the University of Georgia. He and his wife Julie currently reside in Ranger with their three children.

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Victorious Graves returns to D.C.

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