As Aug.11 draws closer, the race for the Superior Court

Judge is starting to heat up.

During last month's primary, Fayette resident Chris

Edwards led the crowded field and polled 40.2 percent of the votes,

while runner-up David Fowler finished with 28.1 percent.

The race is the first in a generation that voters will elect

a judge to the Superior Court and last week, the

endorsements started appearing for each candidate.

Edwards, 42, lives in Brooks and has been the most visible

candidate. Residents have seen the candidate waving to cars

on Fayette's busy state highways and Edwards has

been out in force during the elction season.

He's worked as a district attorney in the Griffin

Judicial Circuit and prosecuted everything from murder to

drug cases. Edwards currently has his own firm that specializes

in wrongful death and personal injury cases.

Fowler, 48, lives in Molena and was an assistant district

attorney in the Griffin Judicial Circuit for 13 years.

He believes his prosecution experience makes him the

best candidate and currently works for the state prosecuting drug cases.

Peachtree City lawyer Doug Warner and Michelle Lundy,

who finished third and fourth in the race, endorsed Fowler as the

best candidate.

In his letter of endorsement, Warner questioned Edwards'

experience for the job.

"It is my understanding that he prosecuted cases for five years

in the early years of his practice, and has maintained a personal

injury practice for the past 12 years. David Fowler, on the other

hand, has prosecuted cases continuously for 21 years, and

currently prosecutes cases statewide," Warner wrote.

Warner also questioned Edwards' assertion that it's

critical for the next Superior Court judge to be from Fayette County.

"As his qualification affidavit states that he has lived in

Fayette County for less than one year and as he practices law in Griffin,

I don't consider this to be a serious factor at this point,"

Warner said.

After hearing warner's endorsement, Edwards said he

had already received the endorsement of over 10,000 voters and

looked forward to the runoff.

"I believe that each individual voter's endorsement is

what counts, and that on Aug.11 voters will approve of my hard

work, determination, superior credentials, dual

background in both criminal prosecution and civil law, and

my tough anti-crime position," Edwards said.

He also rebuffed claims that he's only lived in the county

for one year, by saying this is the third house he's owned in

the county and personal circumstances caused him to move

to Griffin in between stints in Fayette County.

For his part, Fowler was thrilled with the endorsements of

the other candidates and said he's going to try and talk to as

many voters between now and Aug. 11.

"I want to see people, not necessarily be seen by them," he said.

On Monday, Edwards picked up the endorsement of State

Representative John Yates R-Griffin, who said he's been

impressed with Edwards' record.

"His deep and abiding faith impressed me that he was a

man who you could trust to be tough on crime, but still be fair to

all," Yates said.

Both Edwards and Fowler vow to be hard on criminals and

emphasize tough prison punishment.

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