Governor-elect thanks voters

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Posted 7:55AM on Monday, December 2, 2002

PERRY - Gov.-elect Sonny Perdue and his wife, Mary, hosted a party at the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter Sunday for about 2,000 supporters, inviting them to attend his Jan. 13 inauguration in Atlanta and pledging to set a high standard for the state. ``The work has just begun,'' said Perdue, a former high school football player and businessman in Houston County, who will become Georgia's first Republican governor since Reconstruction. ``We worked pretty hard interviewing for a year for the job. But the election is not the end. It's the beginning.'' Perdue, 55, a former Democratic state legislator who switched to the GOP four years ago, defied the polls and most predictions when he defeated Democratic incumbent Roy Barnes on Nov. 5. The Perdues held the party in Perry to thank their neighbors in Middle Georgia for their support, but people came from all over the state to wish them well. After the speeches, the Perdues shook hands and posed for photos as supporters filed by. ``We want very much to be trustworthy,'' Perdue said. ``Truth brings trust. Mary and I want you to hold us accountable. All over Georgia we saw the passion. We saw the enthusiasm and excitement. We want to behave and conduct ourselves in a way that will make you proud to be Georgians.'' Alec Poitevint, a member of Perdue's transition team, said Purdue got tremendous support in Middle Georgia, where he is well known. ``This is a guy who was a football star. He's been elected governor and he's come back to say thank you,'' Poitevint said. ``It's a new day in Georgia. Sonny Perdue won by almost 100,000 votes people from all walks of life, Democrats, Republicans and independents. This is a guy who believes in his roots and is proud of them.'' Barnes blamed his loss partially to changing the state flag by drastically shrinking the size of the Confederate battle emblem. Perdue promised a referendum on the flag issue, but he has acknowledged that it is a divisive issue. A few of Perdue's supporters wore stickers emblazoned with the old flag during the party. ``I came out to show my support for our new governor,'' said William Brandon of Macon, who was wearing a sticker. Brandon said he was impressed by Perdue's concern for constituents and his gentle manner. ``It's a great day for Georgia,'' said Scott Davis, 25, of Stone Mountain. Davis, who attended with Viola Davis, 39, also of Stone Mountain, said he believes Perdue will work to balance growth in rural as well as urban parts of Georgia. Eric Laurie, a salesman from Cherokee County, said he wants less government and lower taxes. ``He seems to have the ability to work with a wide range of people and come up with a solution,'' Laurie said.