At a debate last week hosted jointly by the Catoosa County and Walker County Republican Parties, the two candidates who are running for the senate seat currently held by State Senator Jeff Mullis, squared off.

Former State Rep. Colton Moore from Trenton and former Catoosa County Commissioner Steve Henry from Ringgold will be facing off in the May Republican Primary.  There is no Democrat in the race.

At the debate, Moore took every opportunity to portray Henry as the “establishment candidate” and took several jabs at outgoing State Senator Mullis.  Moore challenged Mullis in the Republican Primary two years ago for the seat.  In the debate, Moore referred to Mullis as a “RINO” – or “Republican in name Only”.

Henry touted his experience in local government and defended his conservative credentials.

The two discussed a variety of topics that appeal to the conservative base in Northwest Georgia, including term limits.  Moore said that he supported term limits and pointed to State Senator Jeff Mullis as justification for his position.  Henry said that he had “mixed emotions” about term limits, but supported them in general.

Voters will go to the polls on May 24th to determine who the next state senator from Northwest Georgia will be.