The field of Republicans seeking to take on embattled Democratic U.S. Rep. John Barrow has been narrowed to two.
The only problem was, as of late Tuesday, it wasn’t clear which two.
State Rep. Lee Anderson of Grovetown led and seemed almost certain to compete in an Aug. 21 runoff in the 12th Congressional District.
But Augusta businessman Rick Allen and Augusta lawyer Wright McLeod were in a tight race for the No. 2 spot.
Because — as many expected — no one drew a majority of the vote, that triggered a showdown between top two finishers.
With 14 of 19 counties reporting, the tally was Anderson 34.2 percent; Allen, 25.7 percent and McLeod, 24.8 percent. Dublin lawyer Maria Sheffield trailed with 15.3 percent.
The seat is up for grabs after boundary changes that tilted the 12th toward the GOP and prompted Barrow to move from Savannah to Augusta.
“I want to congratulate my opponents for a hard-fought campaign,” Anderson said. “I am very thankful to everyone at home and across the district for all of the support we have received.
“We start tonight to build a winning runoff campaign so we can beat John Barrow and Barack Obama and get America growing again.”
Tuesday’s voting capped a hard-hitting campaign that saw the candidates spend a combined total of nearly $2 million.
Meanwhile, all the candidates bet heavily on themselves, loaning their campaigns $100,000 or more. Allen anted up at least $290,000; Anderson, $178,000.
Losing candidates seldom recoup such loans.
The candidates — all conservatives — differed little on the issues and struggled for ways to stand out.
Allen said his leadership in business and civic affairs gives him an edge.
Anderson stressed local and state government experience that he says shows he knows how to balance a budget.
McLeod said his background as a combat Navy flier demonstrated his commitment to public service.
And Sheffield said her years as a conservative GOP volunteer show she cannot just “talk the talk, but walk the walk.”
Allen and McLeod led the pack in donations. But Allen’s claim that McLeod’s fundraising cut legal corners generated the campaign’s main fireworks.
Allen’s complaint to the Federal Election Commission is pending.
McLeod was also under fire for contributions to Democratic candidates and repeatedly voting in Democratic primaries.
Last weekend, Anderson accused him of having no record of public service, apparently overlooking a 20-year stint in the Navy.
One much-asked question was how many GOP voters in Augusta would cast ballots in a hotly contested local Democratic primary for sheriff.
Augusta is McLeod and Allen’s hometown, and some analysts said big cross-over vote would help Anderson, Sheffield or both.
Rick Allen: 34.2%
Lee Anderson: 25.7%
Wright McLeod: 24.8%
Maria Sheffield: 15.3%