Barnes to appear at Jamieson event

ATLANTA - A state legislator from Toccoa is one of several whom Governor Barnes will appear at campaign fund-raisers for this week. <br> <br> He&#39;s scheduled to appear at an event for House Education Chairman Jeanette Jamieson of Toccoa. <br> <br> With the political fund-raising window set to close next week while the Legislature is in session, the governor is squeezing in a few last-minute events for himself and a few Democratic pals. <br> <br> His schedule for the week shows six fund-raisers two on Tuesday, three on Wednesday and one on Thursday. <br> <br> Most are for Democratic legislators who will be seeking re-election this summer. One, at $5,000 a head, is for his own campaign coffers. <br> <br> Georgia law prohibits statewide officials and lawmakers from accepting campaign contributions while the General Assembly is under way, a period that will run from Jan. 14 until some time in March. <br> <br> Last July, Barnes reported a campaign treasury of more than $6.4 million and updated reports, due on Tuesday, are expected to show him with a whopping $10 million in the bank. <br> <br> His top aide, Bobby Kahn, said Barnes continues to solicit contributions because ``he anticipates a hard-fought campaign. It was expensive in 1998 and it will be expensive this time around.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> In his 1998 race Barnes spent $10.7 million. His challenger, Republican Guy Millner, spent $16.1 million. <br> <br> Other Democratic legislators for whom Barnes will appear at fund-raising events this week include House Rules Committee Chairman Calvin Smyre of Columbus, Sen. Richard Marable of Rome, and Rep. Stephanie Stuckey of Decatur, according to the governor&#39;s office.<br> <br> Stuckey&#39;s fund-raiser, a breakfast on Wednesday, suggests a contribution of $250 per person. <br> <br> ``We&#39;re hoping to have 50. That would be a real nice turnout,&#39;&#39; she said. <br> <br> Among other things, Stuckey said she hopes to have a large enough campaign war chest to make potential challengers think twice. <br> <br> ``My district doubled in size because of reapportionment. I want to have a show of strength in case of opposition ... I don&#39;t want to wait until the last minute raising money if I&#39;m opposed. You always prepare for opposition and hope you&#39;re not opposed.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> House Republican Leader Lynn Westmoreland of Sharpsburg said Barnes not only is trying to secure his own re-election but to help Democrats win the seats they intentionally drew during reapportionment to their political advantage. <br> <br> ``For a legislator to have the governor at a fund-raiser sends the message that, ``Hey, I&#39;ve got some influence with the governor ... It gives an impression you have access to the throne.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Kahn, the governor&#39;s chief aide, said, ``The governor typically helps Democratic candidates and members of the General Assembly raise money. He did quite a number in the year 2000.&#39;&#39;