District Profile: Georgia's 12th Congressional

Published June 12, 2014 at 12:10 PM CDT

In this November 6, 2012 photo, U.S. Rep. John Barrow, D-Ga., stands with supporters at an election-night party. The Deep South’s last white Democratic congressman defied the odds a second time in 2012 by defeating Republican challenger Lee Anderson in an eastern Georgia district that was drawn to ensure his defeat. (John Bazemore/AP Photo)

In our weekly look at House races across the country, we turn to Georgia’s 12th congressional district, where Republican Rick Allen is trying to unseat three-term incumbent Democrat John Barrow, who has become a target for Republicans nationally.

Georgia Public Broadcasting Macon bureau chief Adam Ragusea says local Republican lawmakers have long been trying to take Barrow’s seat, redistricting more liberal areas out of the district and making it harder for him to win.

“Even if John Barrow lives to fight another day, he’s going to be an endangered species,” Ragusea told Here & Now’s Jeremy Hobson. “This is the last white congressional Democrat from the Deep South we’re talking about.”

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Guest

Adam Ragusea, Macon bureau chief and host of “Morning Edition” for Georgia Public Broadcasting. He tweets @aragusea.

District Profile: Georgia's 12th Congressional

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