A retired Air Force officer, investment adviser
and banker from Savannah is seeking the 12th Congressional District
seat.
Mike Horner has become the third Republican to announce a
bid to replace Democratic incumbent John Barrow of Savannah.
It
will be the first time the former special agent with the Air Force
Office of Special Investigations has sought public office.
A
self-described "super patriot," Horner said he is running because "the
principles on which our country was founded are under attack, and we
have to fight to get them back."
Horner's main criticism of Barrow
is that he voted for President Barack Obama's economic stimulus bill
and for raising the national debt limit to $1.9 trillion.
"The
nation is on a razor," said Horner, who moved to Savannah in 2001.
"We're headed in the wrong direction. ...The Social Security System is paying out more than
it's taking in.
..................
Barrow was elected in 2004 and was
re-elected in 2006 and 2008.
So far, his only primary opponent is
former state Sen. Regina Thomas, who unsuccessfully opposed him for
renomination in 2008.
AT A GLANCE
Name: Mike Horner; Age: 68
Education: Graduated from U.S. Air Force Academy;
masters degree in forensic science, George Washington University
Career: Lieutenant colonel in Air Force, served more
than 22 years and commanded a unit with 200 personnel; seven years at
UBS Paine Webber; former vice president for Wachovia Bank; lead
instructor at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Brunswick;
does contract work for the FBI
Political experience:
First-time candidate
Top issues: Reducing the
national debt, restoring solvency to Social Security and Medicare
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