The General Primary Runoff will determine the winner out of the top two finishers in contests where no candidate received the majority of votes in the July 10 primary election.

In addition to the contest between lesbian candidates Keisha Waites and Joan Garner in Fulton County, here are two of the top races of LGBT interest on the primary ballot.

While few candidates for the state’s top offices have openly campaigned for LGBT votes, many have long records — some positive, more negative — on issues that impact our community.

Governor (Republican):

In one of the most anti-gay campaigns in recent Georgia history, former Secretary of State Karen Handel was attacked by her opponents for her membership in the pro-gay Log Cabin Republicans and support for domestic partner benefits.

Handel has denied both since seeking state offices, and in the run-up to the GOP gubernatorial primary, went so far as to say she “would consider” legislation to ban gay adoptions.

The winner of the Republican runoff will face former Gov. Roy Barnes, a Democrat, and John H. Monds, a Libertarian, on the Nov. 2 ballot.

Nathan Deal
Primary results: 22.9 percent (155,946 votes)
Occupation: Former Congressman
Residence: Gainesville, GA
Website: www.dealforgovernor.com

• As a member of the U.S. House, consistently received scores of zero on HRC’s Congressional report card for LGBT issues and has voted for a federal constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage.

• In current campaign, has repeatedly attacked Karen Handel for her past support of gay issues.

Karen Handel
Primary results: 34.1 percent (231,990 votes)
Occupation: Former Secretary of State
Residence: Alpharetta, GA
Website: www.karenhandel.com

• During her campaigns for Fulton County Commission, supported domestic partner benefits, and was endorsed and a member of the Log Cabin Republicans, a gay GOP group.

• Has flipped from these positions during her subsequent campaigns for Secretary of State and now governor, stating that she never joined Log Cabin and emails supporting issues like domestic partnerships were written by campaign staff without her knowledge.

• Includes video against same-sex marriage on her campaign website.

• “Would consider” banning gay adoptions.

Secretary of State (Democrat):

Georgia Equality chose to sit out the race for Secretary of State, while the Atlanta Stonewall Democrats endorsed Michael Mills, who did not make the runoff.

The winner of the Democratic runoff will face Secretary of State Brian Kemp, a Republican, and Libertarian David Chastain on the November ballot.

Gail Buckner
Primary results: 35.1 percent (119,956 votes)
Occupation: Communications Marketing
Residence: Jonesboro, GA
Website: www.gailforgeorgia.com

• Applied for but did not receive the Atlanta Stonewall Democrats endorsement.

• As a member of Georgia Senate, voted for the state constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.

Georganna Sinkfield
Primary results: 22.6 percent (77,423 votes)
Occupation: Real Estate Sales
Residence: Atlanta, GA
Website: www.sinkfield2010.com

• As a member of the Georgia House, voted against the state constitutional amendment banning gay marriage and against a bill to prevent cities from requiring private businesses to offer domestic partner benefits to be eligible for city contracts.

More Information:

General Primary Runoff
Tuesday, Aug. 10
Polls open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• To find out where you vote: www.sos.georgia.gov/MVP/Login.aspx
• You do not have to have voted in the primary to vote in the runoff.
• If you voted in the primary, you must vote in the same party’s primary runoff.