House Reps. to Compete for Virginia-Highland, Poncey-Highland Votes

House Representatives Ralph Long (D-Atlanta) and Simone Bell (D-Atlanta) are set to battle for a seat in Georgia House of Representatives that would represent portions of Virginia-Highland, Poncey-Highland and Inman Park.

Bell, 43, and Long, 36, are forced to run for the same seat — District 58 — after legislators redrew district boundaries statewide last year.

The new district boundaries start in the southern portion of Virginia-Highland, run through Poncey-Highland, Old Fourth Ward and Inman Park, and continue south through many southeast and southwest neighborhoods. A portion of Midtown and Downtown is included in the new boundaries.

Bell, a consultant, has represented District 58 for three terms.

Long, a real estate broker, currently represents District 61, which includes portions of southwest Atlanta. He has served in the Georgia General Assembly for four years.

Check out this google map to see if your home falls into the new District 58 boundaries.

The Democratic Primary is set for July 31, 2012. Stick with Patch for more info on this race and other local races in the weeks to come.

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Editor's Note: The originial version of this article failed to mention Long's experience in office. He has served in the Georgia General Assembly for four years. Patch regrets this error.