Wow! What a week! Qualifying for public office in Georgia during the last week of April 2010 has been downright entertaining. There were many things that folks expected to happen that did happen. At the same time, there were several things that no one expected that also happened.
The week started with a bang. The news trickled across the blogosphere that “Baker Decides Not To Run”. Democrats sighed with relief. Republicans gasped at the possibility of a united Democratic Party. Not so fast, Eddie. The “rest of the story” was that it was Public Service Commissioner Bobby Baker who had decided to forego a bid for reelection. It was surprising news, just not the surprising news that the headline teased.
Bobby Baker was the first Republican to breakthrough in a Georgia Constitutional statewide office in 1992. His world got a little complicated when he married then Governor Roy Barnes’ press secretary (and would have undoubtedly been even more complicated this year as Roy Barnes attempts to return to the governor’s office). For eighteen years, Bobby Baker has dutifully served Georgians and was, for many years, the single red ray of hope for Georgia Republicans amidst an otherwise Democratic sea of blue among statewide offices in Georgia.
While not as significant as a decision by Attorney General Thurbert Baker not to run, Public Service Commissioner Bobby Baker’s decision did have a ripple effect of its own. With the vacancy, it is not surprising that candidates quickly lined up for an opportunity to hold statewide office - including former U. S. Army officer and GOP Georgia Senator John Douglas. That vacancy then triggered other elected officials to seek Senator Douglas’ seat. It has meant a lot of last minute maneuvering by both political parties to cover these unexpected slots, and others as well.
One thing that is clear from the week is that there is no shortage of candidates in both political parties. Fifty three Georgians signed up to run for statewide office - fourteen candidates signed up to run for Governor; three candidates for Lieutenant Governor; seven for Secretary of State; five for Attorney General; six for School Superintendent; ten for Commissioner of Insurance; three for Commissioner of Agriculture; four for Commissioner of Labor; and, five for Public Service Commission.
And, that does not include at least one candidate who plans to run as an independent. Ray Boyd wanted to run as a Republican, but refused to sign the oath. When that happens, the political party (in this case, the Georgia Republican Party) really has little choice. Basically, unlike other states, Georgia’s election rules allow candidates (who decide whether to meet the requirements) and voters to decide who their parties’ nominees will be. Party officials do not make this decision.
Ray Boyd’s decision was newsworthy because he announced that he will spend $2 million of his own money in seeking Georgia’s highest office. By the time everything is said and done, Georgia candidates for governor will spend over $25 million dollars.
There was one other big surprise. For months State Representative Austin Scott has been a candidate for governor. Just before qualifying started, rumors began to emerge that he might drop back to run for lieutenant governor. Well, as Gomer Pyle would say - surprise, surprise, surprise. The popular State Representative stepped up to the plate and qualified to run against Eighth District Congressman Jim Marshall.
By all accounts, Congressman Marshall is one of the most vulnerable Democratic incumbents in the United States. In contrast, ardent conservative Representative Austin Scott is one of the toughest and hardest campaigners in the country. This combination has put Georgia on the watch list from the halls of Washington, D.C. to the softball fields of Tifton, Georgia.
Not all of the excitement involving the U. S. House of Representatives involved the Eighth Congressional District. Fifty-seven Georgians signed up to run for U. S. Congress. Only two Members of the Georgia Delegation (Sixth District Congressman Tom Price (R) and Eleventh District Congressman Phil Gingrey (R)) do not have either primary or general election opposition.
The same is not true in the Georgia Legislature. In the Georgia Senate, twenty three Senators have no opposition in either the primary or General Election (fourteen Republicans and nine Democrats). In the Georgia House of Representatives, ninety-one Representatives have neither primary nor General Election opposition (forty-six Republicans and Democrats). Thus, almost one half of the Georgia Senate delegation (fifty-six total members) and over one half of the Georgia House delegation (one hundred and eighty total members) will face no opposition. Hence the old adage, “more elections are lost on the last day of qualifying than on election day.”
