MARIETTA — The previous two times U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey, M.D., encountered a challenge for Congress, the Marietta Republican beat back his opponents two-to-one.

In the July 31 primary, it was eight to one.

Gingrey raked in more than 80 percent of the total 93,532 votes cast on July 31, leaving less than 10 percent on the table for Republican challengers William Llop and Michael S. Opitz.

“I’m seeking re-election so that I may continue working to advance the conservative principles that my constituents of the 11th Congressional District hold dear, such as repealing Obamacare,” he said about the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, “reducing federal spending and fostering conditions that allow for job creation and economic growth.”

Gingrey, 70, established an obstetrics practice in Marietta after earning a chemistry degree from Georgia Tech in 1964, a medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia in 1968, and after completing an internship at Grady Memorial Hospital in downtown Atlanta and a residency at his medical alma mater in his native Augusta.

His career influences one of his top campaign issues.

“My first priority is to repeal Obamacare and replace it with patient-centered reforms that lower costs and improve patient access to quality health care,” Gingrey said. “The president’s health care law portends to be the largest tax increase on the middle class in American history and will be a disaster for our health care system.”

Financial issues are the other cornerstones of his platform.

“I will continue supporting measures that drastically reduce federal spending while capping it at a much lower percentage of (gross domestic product),” Gingrey said.

Gingrey and his wife, Billie, have four grown children and 11 grandchildren. His first elective office was a seat on the Marietta school board, which he won in 1993.

Next, he represented District 37 in the state senate from 1998 to 2002.

Gingrey said he will use his political experience to improve the economy.

“House Republicans have passed 30 jobs bills that continue to stack up in the Democrat-controlled Senate,” he said. “I will continue fighting to reduce burdensome regulations and taxes on small business owners, our nation’s economic engine.”

As of his July 11 filing with the Federal Election Commission, the most recent available, Gingrey’s campaign had $1.7 million cash on hand.