Barr to Run for Congress Again

MARIETTA, Ga. – Former Republican congressman and current American Civil Liberties Union consultant Bob Barr announced Monday that he was planning to run again for Congress, this time from Georgia's 6th Congressional District, right next door to his previous home district.

Republican Rep. Johnny Isakson, who currently is serving his third term in the 6th District, plans to run for the Senate seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Sen. Zell Miller.

Barr's decision didn't come as a real surprise. He announced last month that he was pondering a return to the political field, and said his experience and seniority should help him in his race.

"Our president does not need people in Washington who require a learning curve. He needs people in government who have been there and done that," the former Republican representative said as he made the announcement in his hometown of Marietta, which was redistricted last year.

Barr, a staunch defender of privacy and Second Amendment rights who is well-known for his combative style, said he supports President Bush's tax-cut proposals, wants to expand homeland security and has several plans for his hometown, including protecting jobs at Lockheed Martin and keeping open the Dobins Joint Reserve Base in Marietta.

Barr, who said he expects to spend much more than the $3 million he wagered on his last race, also plans to fight for local leaders to increase funding and authority to improve schools, preserve green spaces and reduce traffic gridlock.

Serving eight years from the 7th District before being ousted in a GOP primary against fellow incumbent John Linder, Barr said Monday that House leaders assured him that if he were re-elected he would regain his seniority for House committee spots.

Barr served on the Financial Services, Government Reform and Judiciary Committees.

The 6th, from which he plans to run, includes little of the same territory Barr represented before redistricting, but is solidly Republican. Former Speaker Newt Gingrich was the district's congressman before Isakson.

Barr was defeated by Rep. John Linder in last year's GOP primary in the 7th District. He had been encouraged to run in another district, but refused, losing out to Linder, whose 11th Congressional District made up much of the new 7th.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.