SAVANNAH, Ga. -- Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin returned to the campaign trail for the first time since losing the vice presidency, attending rallies for Georgia's Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss.
On the eve of the Tuesday's runoff pitting Chambliss with Democratic challenger Jim Martin, Palin appeared at rallies in Augusta, Savannah and Macon.
"Georgia, the eyes of America are upon you," the former vice presidential candidate said. "We all have Georgia on our minds."
Palin, who became a celebrity as Sen. John McCain's running mate, is widely rumored to have an eye on a presidential run in 2012, and Monday's campaign swing will allow her to flex some political muscle in a state where conservatives have embraced her.
Tommy Byler, 22, of Savannah marveled at the size of the crowd Palin drew compared to other top-tier Republicans who have campaigned for Chambliss.
"I went to see Mitt Romney a week ago, and I think there were only about 100 people there," said Byler, who wore a T-shirt emblazoned with Palin's face and the words "Sarah Palin Is My Homegirl."
Martin toured the state Monday with prominent Georgia Democrats, including Rep. John Lewis of Atlanta. He'll cap the day with a state Capitol rally with the Atlanta hip-hop artist Ludacris.
"I think Jim Martin should be with Ludacris," Rep. Jack Kingston told the crowd waiting to see Palin in Savannah. "It would be ludicrous to vote for Jim Martin."
Over the past two weeks, former President Bill Clinton and former Vice President Al Gore have appeared at Martin's rallies.
President-elect Barack Obama recorded a radio ad and automated phone calls for Martin but did not campaign in the state. Some 100 Obama field operatives traveled to the state to help with turnout.
Other Races On Ballot
Two other statewide races will be settled in Tuesday's runoff: a Public Service Commission race between Republican Lauren McDonald Jr. and Democrat Jim Powell and a contest between Sara Doyle and Mike Sheffeld for judge, Court of Appeals.
Ware County voters also face two local runoffs, one for chief magistrate between J. Nathan Grantham and Lawton Taylor Sr. and another for Board of Education District 3 between Jack Couch and John Mosely Jr.
In Glynn County, there's a runoff for solicitor general between Ernest Gilbert and Maria Lugue.
Georgia voters are reminded to bring photo identification to the polls.
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