Max Burns

Max Burns
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Georgia's 12th district
In office January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2005
Preceded by	New District
Succeeded by	John Barrow
Personal details
Born	November 8, 1948 (1948-11-08) (age 63) Millen, Georgia
Political party	Republican
Residence	Sylvania, Georgia
Occupation	College professor
Religion	Southern Baptist

O. Maxie "Max" Burns (born November 8, 1948) was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from 2003 to 2005, representing Georgia's 12th congressional district.

He was born in Millen, Georgia, was educated at Georgia Institute of Technology and Georgia State University (Ph.D.) and served in the United States Army Reserve. He was a professor at Georgia Southern University for 20 years. He served as a member of the Screven County Commission from 1993 to 1998.

Burns is now Dean of the Mike Cottrell Business School at North Georgia College & State University in Dahlonega, Georgia. As of October 19, 2011 Burns is now President of Gordon College in Barnesville, Georgia.^{[citation needed]}

2002 election

The 12th District was a new district, one of two Georgia gained after the 2000 census. The district was designed as a Democratic stronghold — it was 40% black, and would have voted for Al Gore by a large margin in 2000. Burns won the Republican primary, but was initially seen as a sacrificial lamb candidate, given his extremely conservative profile. However, the Democratic candidate, Augusta businessman Charles "Champ" Walker, Jr., was dogged by ethical questions and began losing ground during the summer. Eventually, Burns won by a surprising 10-point margin, taking 55% to Walker's 45 percent.

2004 election

Burns was elected president of the Republican freshman class, but was a top Democratic target in the 2004 elections. His 2004 Democratic opponent was Athens-Clarke County Commissioner John Barrow, who beat Burns 52% to 48%.

2006 election

In May 2005, Burns announced that he would seek a rematch against Barrow in 2006. The state legislature, now controlled by Republicans, had conducted a highly controversial mid-decade redistricting. In the process, they drew Barrow's home in Athens out of the district and moved several Republican-leaning Savannah suburbs from the 1st District. Although the result was to make the 12th about five points more African-American than its predecessor, it was also slightly less Democratic.

Barrow narrowly defeated Burns, 50.3% to 49.7%--the closest margin for a Democratic incumbent in the cycle. While Burns won 14 of the district's 22 counties, he lost badly in the two largest counties, Chatham and Richmond, home to Savannah and Augusta respectively. President George W. Bush made personal appearances campaigning on behalf of former Representative Burns.^{[citation needed]}

Electoral history

Georgia's 12th congressional district: Results 2002–2006^[1]

Year		Democrat	Votes	Pct		Republican	Votes	Pct
2002		Champ Walker	62,904	45%		Max Burns	77,479	55%
2004		John Barrow	113,036	52%		Max Burns	105,132	48%
2006		John Barrow	71,651	50%		Max Burns	70,787	50%

References

1. ^ "Election Statistics". Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives. http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/index.html. Retrieved 2008-01-10. 

External links

• Blogging for Max
• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Voting record maintained by The Washington Post
• "Curb Your Enthusiasm" — The Rothenberg Political Report

United States House of Representatives
New district	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Georgia's 12th congressional district January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2005	Succeeded by John Barrow

Persondata
Name	Burns, Max
Alternative names	Burns, O. Maxie
Short description	Former United States Representative from Georgia
Date of birth	November 8, 1948
Place of birth	Millen, Georgia
Date of death
Place of death