Four Republicans running for a shot at ousting U.S. Rep. John Barrow are mostly in agreement on broad themes of slashing the national debt, shutting down a federal agency and vastly simplifying the tax code.

Businessman Rick Allen of Augusta, state Rep. Lee Anderson of Grovetown and attorneys Wright McLeod of Evans and Maria Sheffield of Dublin all attended a debate Thursday hosted by the Effingham County tea party. The candidates are seeking the GOP nomination in east Georgia's 12th District.

All four say they would abolish the federal Department of Education. Asked if they preferred a national sales tax or a flat-rate income tax that every American pays, three said they would prefer a blend of different options. Anderson says he prefers a sales tax.

Tags: Congress, John Barrow, elections, U.S. Rep. John Barrow, georgia primary elections, Rick Allen, Lee Anderson, Wright McLeod, Maria Sheffield