AJC endorses Holley

Rep. Charlie Norwood, an Augusta Republican, has represented the 10th District for 12 years. He received a lung transplant in 2004, the month before his last election, but his health has not been an issue in this race. Norwood has been a polarizing influence in the debate over illegal immigration, siding with zealots who claim the country is being invaded by Latin Americans conspiring to recapture parts of the United States. The Democrat in the race, Terry Holley, a jeweler and former teacher, articulates standard Democratic positions on most national issues (the war in Iraq, a minimum-wage hike, health insurance reform, etc.) and has no track record as an elected official at any level. But those drawbacks are more than offset by Norwood's extreme views on immigration and other issues. Voters in the district should take a chance on Holley.