MARIETTA - Since 1997, incumbent Judy Manning has represented Georgia House District 32, which covers part of Marietta and north Cobb. Later this month, she will face opposition in the Republican primary for the first time since 2004 from political newcomer Buddy Simpson.

In July 2004, Manning - who works in real estate - received 61 percent of the vote in the Republican primary election. She hopes to return to the House for an eighth two-year term. But Simpson, a landscaper, opposes her because incumbents like Manning, he said, need to be reminded who they represent.

"I had some friends who had encouraged me to run against her, if for no other reason than to hold her accountable to the voters in this district. Because without opposition there is no accountability," Simpson said. "She is more big government than I am. I feel she is more of a progressive-type Republican."

An example of that, Simpson said, is when Manning voted against House Bill 89 in 2008. The bill, cosponsored by state Rep. Ed Setzler (R-Acworth) and signed into law by Gov. Sonny Perdue, legalized the bearing of firearms in state parks, on mass transit and in restaurants that serve alcohol.

"The right to self-defense is a God given right," Simpson said. "It's not a privilege given to us by government. We should be able to carry our firearms anywhere we feel necessary to protect our families."

Manning said she voted against the bill because it didn't allow property owners a say in the matter. That's why she said she voted this year in favor of Senate Bill 308, which is now law, that clarified gun restrictions and gives bar owners and places of worship a right to ban weapons.

For her part, Manning said she is a proud Republican and has been very involved in the Cobb community.

"I know the community," said Manning, a Marietta High School graduate. "I don't have all the answers, but I think I can listen to my constituents and carry out their wishes."

The two candidates disagree on bringing light-rail transportation to Cobb. Manning said she supports it, if there is funding that's not a burden to taxpayers. A proposed light-rail system along Cobb Parkway is estimated to cost $2 billion.

"If we can connect up with some connectivity with MARTA and connect up to other metropolitan counties, I think light rail might be a possibly," Manning said. "The cost is what gives me heartburn - whether we can afford to do that and whether it's timely enough to do it."

But Simpson said he is against it because of costs.

"I just think it's going to be too expensive," Simpson said. "I think you would have to raise taxes in Cobb and I don't see anyway to pay for it without raising taxes at this point."

Manning and Simpson agree on abolishing property taxes, denying all illegal immigrants admission to state colleges and making the economy a priority in the next session of the General Assembly.

They also agree on whether they would support a state law that bans furlough days for teachers. Manning, who taught at McEachern High School, said that while she doesn't like furloughing any workers, furloughs need to be done in order to balance the budget.

"I am the chairman of Children and Youth (committee), so my highest priority is children," she said. "I'm also not for furloughing teachers. But, we have to have the revenue in order to fund education."

Simpson also said he is not in support of such a law.

"The teachers have so many of these so-called work days every year where the students aren't in school," he said. "They could take those days off and save the counties and state millions of dollars if we didn't work them on those particular so-called teacher work days when the kids aren't in school."

Simpson claims support from two Tea Party groups, but couldn't remember their names. According to his June 30 campaign contribution disclosure report, he received $1,400 in the three-month reporting period, which he ended with $284.90 on hand.

Manning's report lists contributions of $27,517.61 this period, and $70,388.68 on hand.