A politically curious crowd jammed the Wyndham Conference Center in

Peachtree City Tuesday night to hear more than 30 candidates air their

views on the upcoming election.

Coweta's candidates for Congress appeared at the forum, and each

tried to stress what would make them the best candidate for the Eighth

District seat being vacated by Rep. Mac Collins. The vast majority of

Coweta lies within the Eighth District.

State Rep. Lynn Westmoreland, one of the candidates in that race, emphasized

his deep roots in the region.

"We've raised our children here and my time in the General

Assembly gives me the experience we'll need in Washington," he

said.

Challenger Mike Crotts told the audience that he had followed Collins

into his state legislator seat, and vowed that if Collins ever left to

seek a higher office, he would run to replace the conservative legislator.

"I've gotten the tough bills passed, such as S. R. 595, which

allows the voters to decide the same-sex marriage question," he

said.

The other Republican challenger, Dylan Glenn, stressed his level of

work at the federal government and his accessibility to key players.

"I was in the White House during 9-11. I know how the government

works," he said.

The only Democratic challenger in the Congressional race, Sylvia Delamar,

said the focus of her campaign would be the middle and lower classes

who have been left behind by the Bush administration.

Voters head to the polls July 20 to decide several local races.