As Paul Broun and Jim Whitehead, the two candidates in the 10th Congressional District runoff election, campaign, they are notifying voters of differences between each other.

Broun, a Republican from Athens, said he “is eager to represent the people.” He also said he will use his experience as a doctor to listen to the 10th District residents and find solutions to their problems.

“I’m going to represent the people in my district’s interests,” Broun said. “I will not be a Republican robot.”

Broun called himself an “ardent capitalist,” and said he wants to streamline the federal government.

In 2004, Broun participated in a mission trip to Iraq. He said the experience “opened (his) eyes to things that have not been reported in the press.”

He was initially opposed to the war in Iraq, but after speaking with Kurdish political leaders, who said Saddam Hussein was contributing to Al Qaeda, Broun changed his opinion.

Despite this Broun said, “We’ve got to find a way to end this war and bring our troops home.”

Jim Whitehead, a Republican state Senator from Augusta, will use his political experience in Washington, according to his press secretary, Brendan Belair.

“He’s the only candidate in this race that has experience in passing bills,” Belair said.

Belair said Whitehead will serve as a conservative voice in Washington and is “very much” opposed to the immigration bill the Senate is debating.

Whitehead received endorsements from nine Republican party county organizations. Belair said the campaign has been endorsed by the county organizations in Richmond, Columbia, McDuffie, Putnam, Madison, Stevens and Towns Counties.

The state organization of the College Republicans has also endorsed Whitehead, but the University’s chapter remains neutral, said David Ballard, the University chapter’s president.

“The desire for our chapter was to see a Republican in that seat.”

Ballard said a “good number” of the College Republican members have volunteered for Republican candidates during this election cycle. He said between 10 and 15 students have participated in some political activities.

Ballard said both of the candidates have the University’s interests in mind. The men are University alumni, and Ballard said they will remember their past in office.

The campaigns addressed the low turnout in the June 19 election.

Broun attributed the low turnout in the June 19 election to skepticism of politicians. He said he hopes voters will learn the “real choice” between the two candidates in the runoff and will turn out to vote for him.

Belair said the Whitehead campaign will “keep at it,” by notifying voters of the runoff through phone calls, mailers and other advertisements.

In the June 19 special election, Whitehead received 44 percent of the vote, and Broun earned 21 percent.

The runoff election will be held July 17, and all voters registered in the 10th District may participate.