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By Camie Young
camie.young@gwinnettdailypost.com 9/1/04 (Posted 9/2)

Lawrenceville - Two years ago, Pedro Marin and David Casas made history as the first Hispanic members of the Georgia House of Representatives.

But the honeymoon is over. One faces no competition, but for the other, his attention to Hispanic issues has placed him under attack.

"Here we are two years later, and it's not about the fact that Hispanics are elected to the Legislature. Hispanics are now part of a reality of the system," Rep. David Casas, R-Lilburn said.

Casas won't face any competition in the November general election. Neither will state Sen. Sam Zamarripa, D-Atlanta, who was also elected two years ago.
But for Marin, a Democrat from Duluth, his support of Zamarripa's bill to give driver's licenses to illegal aliens is landing him in the hot seat.

"This race is not anti-Hispanic, nor is it anti-immigration," Republican candidate George Warren said. "He's just totally out of touch with his district."
Marin doesn't see it that way.

"That's his beef, but if you see my voting record, I sponsored and co-sponsored bills to make safer and stronger communities," Marin said. As examples, he points to laws to allow inmates to paint over graffiti and another that changes eviction standards.

"It's a very diverse district, and I think I represent my district very well," he said. "Yes, I did some things (for Hispanics) but the bulk of it was good for the community."

Warren doesn't agree. Along with the driver's license legislation, he points out Marin's opposition to a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage and his support of abortion rights.

In conservative Gwinnett, Warren says Marin's liberal positions are contrary to the needs and desires of constituents, including the minorities.

The district, which includes most of the city of Norcross and the Interstate 85 corridor near Duluth, is about 25 percent Hispanic, 29 percent black and 4 to 5 percent Asian, Warren said.

"I know I can't win without reaching out all over those lines. I hope to win with good Hispanic support," Warren said.

Casas, who is a Republican, says Hispanic issues got their due in the Legislature last year, but the issues must be tackled in a different way in order to be successful.

"I see Hispanics as part of the greater community," he said. "It's not just a Hispanic problem. It's a problem that faces all of Gwinnett."

Issues such as health care and education have an impact on the entire population but often hit Hispanics in a special way, he explained.

Casas said that his more holistic approach was more popular and more fruitful, and he hopes to continue that in the next two years.

"We're not freshmen anymore," he said. "Now maybe we can start doing some serious things."

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Warren to challenge Marin in November, Casas to run unopposed
The Marin File
Name: Pedro "Pete" Marin
Age: 46
Party: Democrat
District: 96
Residence: Duluth
Occupation: Consultant
Political Experience: Elected in 2002 to House of Representatives

The Warren File
Name: George Warren
Age: 67
Party: Republican
District: 96
Residence: Duluth
Occupation: Retired Realtor, certified financial planner
Political Experience: Former state senator, 1973 to 1976

The Casas File
Name: David Casas
Age: 32
Party: Republican
District: 103
Residence: Lilburn
Occupation: Teacher
Political Experience: Elected in 2002 to House of Representatives