When the 2004

election is over, the Southside of Atlanta could have a new level of influence

in Washington.

The political

landscape shifted last week when Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (R-Sharpsburg)

announced he would seek Rep. Mac Collins 8th Congressional District seat

in next year's election.

Collins is

challenging Johnny Isaakson for retiring Sen. Zell Miller's seat. If both

Collins and Westmoreland win, Fayette would have two powerful allies in

D.C.

"I'm excited

about it. It's a big district to cover," Westmoreland said.

The Eighth

District covers 18 counties, and Westmoreland said he's going "to

have to buy a gas credit card" to cover all the landscape and meet

the citizens.

So far, he's

met a lot of people in the district and knows what one of the main issues

in the campaign will be.

"We've

got to get behind the President and get this economy going," he said.

Other issues

in the election will probably be homeland security and healthcare.

"There

is a real healthcare problem that we have to do something about,"

he said.

Between now

and the election, Westmoreland will continue to serve as the leader of

the House Republican Caucus and in the General Assembly.

State Sen.

Mike Crotts, the senior Republican member of that body whose District

18 covers a small portion of Fayette, has also announced that he will

seek Collins' seat in the U.S. House.