ATLANTA - Change has been the buzzword this election season. But Georgians aren't likely to see much at the state Capitol.
As qualifying for elections wrapped up Friday, more than half of state lawmakers faced no opposition. Even legislators who face one opponent - or several - have good odds of winning re-election. Political experts say turnover is traditionally very low within state legislatures.
Infighting among Georgia's ruling Republicans marred this year's legislative session, which ended last month without promised tax relief or transportation funding. The gridlock prompted widespread speculation that a new crop of GOP challengers could emerge to topple legislative leaders.
But it didn't happen.
House Speaker Glenn Richardson is running unopposed in his Paulding County district. Most of his top lieutenants are in reliably Republican districts and face no opposition from their own parties. Georgia's primary is July 15 and the general election is Nov. 4.
An exception is Earl Ehrhart, the House Rules Committee chairman from Powder Springs. Republican Tammy Bailey Rohner, an Acworth child advocate and real estate broker, has signed on to challenge Ehrhart.
In the top state race this year, five Democrats have lined up to challenge Republican U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss bid for a second term.
Some of the more interesting matchups are in the battles for congressional seats.
Longtime U.S. Rep. John Lewis, long untouchable because of his status as an icon of the civil rights movement, has drawn two Democratic primary challengers who say he is out of touch with his Atlanta district. State Rep. "Able" Mabel Thomas and minister Markel Hutchins both accuse Lewis of paying more attention to his national profile than his constituents. Lewis is seeking his 12th term in the House.
Georgia Democrats are fielding five military veterans - three fresh from the war in Iraq - against five GOP incumbents. They'll face an uphill battle, running in conservative districts that routinely elect Republicans by wide margins.
Hank Johnson, who made headlines when he defeated firebrand U.S. Rep. Cynthia McKinney in 2006, is facing no opposition as he seeks a second term representing DeKalb County.
But Paul Broun wasn't so lucky. Broun, who surprised party insiders last year by winning the seat left vacant by the death of U.S. Rep. Charlie Norwood, will battle state Rep. Barry Fleming for the right to represent the northeast Georgia district.
And two perennial Democratic targets will again have to work to earn another term.
Former Air Force Gen. Rick Goddard, a Republican, is taking on Democratic incumbent Jim Marshall in central Georgia.
In eastern Georgia, Rep. John Barrow is facing a Democratic primary challenge from state Sen. Regina Thomas. He'll then have to face off against the winner of a three-way Republican contest.
President Bush came to Georgia in 2006 to campaign against Barrow and Marshall but they were able to eke out narrow re-election victories.
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Georgia Secretary of State: http://www.sos.georgia.gov
Saturday
May 4th, 2024
8:00AM
