DAHLONEGA – Voters in Dawson, Lumpkin and Forsyth counties must soon decide if District 9 State Rep. Amos Amerson deserves another term in the Georgia State House or if he should be replaced by challenger Steve Gooch. 

Gooch, the outgoing Lumpkin County Commission Chair, has been endorsed by Dawson County Sheriff Billy Carlisle and Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle.

Amerson and Gooch squared off recently in forums in Dawson and Lumpkin counties.

In a recent debate, Amerson hailed his friendship with Georgia House Speaker Glen Richardson and said that he would like to see Lt. Gov. Cagle ousted for “sticking his nose in places it didn’t belong.”

Gooch countered by calling Amerson a “pawn” of House Speaker Richardson and that he ignored the pleas of his own constituents in House District 9. Gooch also defended Cagle, saying that the lieutenant governor, a Chestnut Mountain Republican, was a friend to all Georgians, especially residents in Dawson, Lumpkin and Forsyth counties.

Gooch said it’s time for the state’s leadership to work out its differences and start resolving the problems that each Georgian faces, especially in House District 9.

Recent mandated campaign disclosures give an indication of just how close Richardson and Amerson really are.

Richardson led the way with a $2,000 contribution as State House members flooded Amerson’s war chest with cash. Amerson reported $72,450 in contributions on his most recent campaign disclosure posted on the Georgia Secretary of State’s Web site.

At least one state senator supports Amerson. He received a $1,000 contribution from a state senator named “Johnson.” According to the Secretary of State's Web site, only one “Johnson” exists in the state senate, District 1 State Senator Eric Johnson, R-Savannah.

The contribution was listed as “Johnson” and followed by “???.” Under occupation, it lists “state senator.” Under employer, it lists “Johnson for Senate.”

All told, Amerson received $39,150 from his counterparts in the Georgia General Assembly.

Amerson’s campaign funding isn’t limited to funds received from state lawmakers. He also has received $19,400 from Political Action Committees, almost $10,000 from lobbyists, including $7,200 from out-of-state sources.

Amerson’s campaign disclosure also shows he received $4,150 from House District 9 residents and businesses.

Amerson has spent $68,089 with the high-octane Duluth-based consulting firm Landmark Communications, which is managing his re-election bid.

Gooch’s campaign disclosures will be posted on the Georgia Secretary of State Web site on Monday.

“I am happy to show similar (contribution) numbers,” Gooch said on Thursday. “But my supporters are voters from the 9th District of Georgia.”