Carl Smith repeatedly blamed Democratic U.S. Rep. John Barrow for what he called “lack of leadership.”

Mike Horner called for solutions to a runaway national problem he said menaces America’s future.

George Grady said illegal immigration is behind many major national woes.

And Jeanne Seaver didn’t show up, saying candidates shouldn’t debate before qualifying, which starts April 26.

So it went Tuesday at the first forum for Republican candidates in Barrow’s 12th Congressional District.

Each participating candidate raised other issues but laid out a theme he’ll likely repeat as the campaign unfolds.

The winner of the July 20 GOP primary election – or a runoff, if needed – will face the Democratic nominee in the Nov. 9 general election. So far, Barrow has one Democratic foe – former state Sen. Regina Thomas.

Smith, the fire chief and a former town council member in Thunderbolt, zeroed in on Barrow at almost every turn.

He said the incumbent has done little to help win funds for the Port of Savannah or to create jobs.

“Our congressman goes out having meetings on the corner and talking about jobs,” Smith said. “I’m tired of talking about jobs.”

He also said Barrow’s taken campaign money from both sides on a controversial health care reform bill and waited “until the last minute” to say how he’ll vote.

He urged people to “flood his office with phone calls” to urge him to vote against it if – as is expected – it comes up for another vote.

A spokeswoman for Barrow, who already has repeatedly voted against the measure, could not be reached for comment late Tuesday.

Horner, a retired Air Force officer and banker, said he knows how to reduce the national debt.

One way, he said, is revamping Social Security.

“If older Americans want their funds to be there,” he said, “they have to be willing to make sacrifices like the rest of us.”

Horner said another solution is to avoid duplication in the federal bureaucracy.

He said 352 agencies promote economic development, while 52 deal with fishing.

“Why not one?” he said.

He also said the “FairTax,” a plan to scrap most federal taxes in favor of a national sales tax, would increase revenue and help the economy.

When asked what the top issue is, Savannah restaurant owner Grady cited the economy, but said that’s linked to illegal immigrants.

He said unfair competition from them is a major source of unemployment.

Grady also said they are a major strain on government services, especially in California. That state, he said, should get no more federal transportation money until it does a better job of curbing illegal immigration.

And in Georgia, he said, the federal government should encourage cities to make it a misdemeanor to rent housing to illegal immigrants.

That, Grady said, “would deter …. (illegal immigrants) from coming to this town for work.”

Seaver announced her decision not to participate two and a half hours before the event.

She said she is “excited and anxious” to debate after candidates qualify “and we know who they are going to be.”

“We feel that it is premature to debate prior to qualification and not giving potential future candidates the opportunity to participate,” she said.

Seaver said she wasn’t aware it is common for debates to be held prior to qualification.

But Martin Sullivan, chairman of Savannah Area Young Republicans, which sponsored the event, disagreed.

Sullivan noted there have been several forums for Republican and Democratic candidates for governor.

Former Air Force officer wants to be the GOP chanllenger to U.S. Rep. John Barrow

A retired Air Force officer, investment adviser and banker from Savannah is seeking the 12th Congressional District seat.

Mike Horner has become the third Republican to announce a bid to replace Democratic incumbent John Barrow of Savannah.

It will be the first time the former special agent with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations has sought public office.

A self-described “super patriot,” Horner said he is running because “the principles on which our country was founded are under attack, and we have to fight to get them back.”

Horner’s main criticism of Barrow is that he voted for President Barack Obama’s economic stimulus bill and for raising the national debt limit to $1.9 trillion.

“The nation is on a razor,” said Horner, who moved to Savannah in 2001. “We’re headed in the wrong direction. …The Social Security System is paying out more than it’s taking in.

“Politicians keep kicking the can down the road, and no one will step in with a solution. … We need to do that now, even if it’s painful.”

Horner said his top priority would be finding ways to shore up Social Security and Medicare.

Problems with the way those programs’ money is handled are the main reason for the country’s debt crisis, he said.

One step, he said, might be to try former President George W. Bush’s idea. Bush proposed to let younger workers use part of their Social Security accounts for private investments.

The controversial proposal was a non-starter, Horner said, mostly because it was “demagogued” by Democrats.

Horner acknowledged it will be big job to reach voters in the 12th, which sprawls over all or parts of more than 20 counties.

“You’ve got to get in your car,” he said. “And, to be cost- effective, you have to be on TV, but it’s expensive, so I have to raise some money. But I have a lot of friends who urged me to do this.”

Horner conceded his lack of political experience. But he said that may be an asset because of the low regard polls have shown most people have for Congress.

“I do bring some things to the table,” he said. “I’ve commanded over 200 people in the Air Force, and I have a great deal of financial experience.”

Others running in the July 20 GOP primary are Thunderbolt Fire Chief Carl Smith and Savannah party activist Jeanne Seaver.

Local businessman George Brady has said he may run as a Republican or an independent.

Barrow was elected in 2004 and was re-elected in 2006 and 2008.

So far, his only primary opponent is former state Sen. Regina Thomas, who unsuccessfully opposed him for renomination in 2008.

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