When the 2009 Georgia General Assembly convened, Sonny Perdue, a former
Democratic State Senator from Bonaire, Georgia, was the Republican
Governor of Georgia; Glenn Richardson, a Republican State Representative
from Paulding County, was the Speaker of the Georgia House of
Representatives; Mark Burkhalter, a Republican State Representative from
North Fulton, was the Speaker Pro Tem; Jerry Keen, a Republican State
Representative from Glynn County, was the House Majority Leader; and
Dubose Porter, a Democratic State Representative from Dublin, was the
House Minority Leader.
All will have left their current posts by next year. Who could have
even imagined that back in 2009 when then Speaker Richardson gaveled the
General Assembly into session?
Okay, Governor Perdue was term limited and so everyone knew that he
would leave at the end of 2010. But who could have predicted the rest?
Most folks (indeed virtually everyone) thought the rest of these
individuals were semi-permanent fixtures under the Gold Dome and would
wield power for many, many, many years to come. Things changed big
time. But the change does not end there.
When the 2009 Georgia General Assembly convened, Thurbert Baker was the
Democratic Attorney General; Karen Handel was the Republican Secretary
of State; and, John Oxendine was the Commissioner of Insurance. None of
these individuals will hold these positions when the 2011 Georgia
General Assembly convenes. One could be the next governor. None will
be in the office they held in 2009. But, it does not end there.
When the United States Congress convened in 2009, Congressman John
Linder was the Congressman from the Seventh Congressional District and
Congressman Nathan Deal was the Congressman from the Ninth Congressional
District. Neither will be a Member of Georgia's Congressional
Delegation when the next Congress convenes. But, it does not end there.
There is a whole host of other state senators, state representatives,
county commissioners, and a variety of other state and local officials
that were in office when 2009 began. Many have had impressive and
powerful careers. Eric Johnson was the President Pro Tem of the Georgia
Senate; and Sam Olens was the Chairman of the Cobb County Board of
Commissioners. All move on to different opportunities next year.
Rarely in Georgia history has there been such a dramatic change in
political power in such a short time span and across such a broad
spectrum of public offices at the state and local level. Of course, all
of these vacancies create some interesting opportunities for both
political parties - and more.
After all, there are the Tea Party activists who have moved decidedly
toward a "vote them out" stance. Interestingly, their impact in Georgia
may be a little hard to decipher since many of the incumbents have
already left.
But, there will be a few incumbents running for reelection. Senator
Johnny Isakson will seek reelection in 2010 as will Lieutenant Governor
Casey Cagle and eleven (11) of Georgia's thirteen (13) Congressional
delegation Members. (Some believe that it may well indeed be the United
States Congress that feels the brunt of the Tea Party movement when it
is combined with general voter dissatisfaction with the way things are
going.) There will also be a spattering of other Constitutional
officers staying put.
But, by and large, it will be musical chairs in Georgia politics at a
truly dizzying pace. Qualifying begins on April 26, 2010 and continues
through April 29, 2010. (Interestingly enough, the Georgia General
Assembly has decided to remain in session until the very last day of
qualifying. Cynics might think that the legislators have some wickedly
ugly votes to cast, and that they only want to cast them when it is too
late for anyone to run down and qualify to run against them.)
All the political motion and commotion will result in lots and lots of
primary contests for both Democrats and Republicans. Candidates are
already lining up for all the vacancies created as incumbents run for
higher office or simply exit the political stage altogether. There
could be a dozen candidates for governor, and dozens more running for
the rest of the Constitutional offices up for election this year. And
that is before the Tea Party candidates sign up and the unexpected
wannabes join in. That is before the party gets started.
By the time November 2, 2010 rolls around, voters' heads will be
spinning after a year of Democrats attacking Democrats, Republicans
attacking Republicans, Democrats attacking Republicans, Republicans
attacking Democrats, and Tea Partiers whacking them all.
Might better buckle up; this could be one wild and crazy ride.
