ATLANTA - One of the most powerful political posts in Georgia is decided, not at the ballot box, but by a few thousand party loyalists who'll gather at the state Republican Party convention next week in Macon.
The race for party chairman has turned into a slugfest, with all the drama of a bitter family feud. It will provide an early test of new Gov. Nathan Deal's sway within the state GOP as he tries to put his stamp on the party apparatus heading into a busy presidential election season.
The contest has sharply divided Georgia Republicans and turned traditional assumptions on their head.
Chairwoman Sue Everhart, who's seeking a third, two-year term, is running as the grassroots favorite while her upstart opponent, Tricia Pridemore, has been cast as the establishment candidate since she has the backing of Deal.
Pridemore ran Georgia's chapter of the 9/12 Project, the conservative group founded by Glenn Beck which has tea party leanings. But tea party leaders in Georgia are largely backing Everhart, upset by what they see as an attempt by Deal to seize control of the state party, which they think should be independent.
A third candidate, Fulton County Republican Party Chairman Shawn Hanley, a former U.S. Marine, is seen as a wild card in the three-way contest.
With Republicans now dominant in Georgia, the leader of the state party will wield huge influence heading into the 2012 presidential election as well as a critical legislative redistricting session, in which lawmakers will carve out a new congressional seat for the state.
The chair will raise and spend millions of dollars, help coordinate GOP efforts in the state and act as a public face of the party at a multitude of rallies and events. And in spite of last year's Republican sweep of statewide elected offices, Everhart, Pridemore and Hanley warn the party cannot afford to become complacent with Democrats looking to bounce back.
Everhart was at the helm last year as Republicans claimed every statewide office. The biggest beneficiary of that sweep was Deal.
She said she was shocked, and a little bit hurt, when Deal plucked Pridemore from his roster of campaign volunteers and urged her to run for party chair. But Everhart says she's developed a thick skin.
``In politics it never hurts long,'' said Everhart, a former bank vice president from Marietta.
Pridemore, also of Marietta, said Deal encouraged her to run after seeing her in action as a volunteer. He has ferried her to campaign events by private helicopter, and the governor has been seen wearing a ``Tricia'' sticker.
``This is an endorsement by someone who knows me and knows my work ethic and my business record,'' Pridemore said.
The 39-year-old Pridemore, who funded an Internet software company, talks about the need to be tech-savvy, with a more robust use of social networking and other new media to lure younger voters. She warns that President Barack Obama will again make masterful use of online resources and state Republicans cannot be caught flatfooted if they want to win.
Everhart, 65, stresses her record raising cash $18 million over four years from a stable of donors, with whom she has longtime ties. And she argues that she has the experience to make the party hum at a critical time. Without mentioning Pridemore by name she says that bringing in someone without experience would ``create chaos.''
``I don't want to lose what we've gained,'' she said.
Hanley is also stressing a need for better use of technology and outreach to minority groups. He casts himself as a ``third way.''
``We're the candidate who can bridge the gap between the grassroots and the governor,'' the 44-year-old said.
What's at stake in the race is also the party's reputation moving forward.
``This race will decide who holds the power in the Republican Party the grassroots or the powerful elected officials,'' said Debbie Dooley, state coordinator for Atlanta Tea Party Patriots, who is backing Everhart.
But Heather Abbott, of Thomasville, said it is Pridemore that is the grassroots choice.
``We need some fresh energy. She would put a whole new face on the party,'' the 31-year-old said, noting she supports Pridemore's focus on recruiting minorities and young people to the party.
Deal spokesman Brian Robinson said that the governor has nothing against Everhart.
``But Tricia is the person who can broaden the Republican Party base, who can reach those people who aren't part of the party now but who should be, the next generation of Republicans,'' he said.
For Deal, the race will provide a gauge of his power within the party. He emerged from a fractured GOP primary last summer, defeating former Secretary of State Karen Handel by a slim 2,500 vote-margin. While GOP ranks closed around him for the general election, the onetime congressman from north Georgia is still finding his footing in the state Republican hierarchy.
Chuck Clay, state Republican Party chairman from 1999 to 2001, said Georgia Republicans value their independence and could see Deal's move as a power grab.
``If they think someone is trying to shove something down their throats, it's their nature to bow up,'' he said.
Clay added the state party faces an important crossroads.
``The Republican Party here has grown up with this fiercely independent view that they have an important role as the philosophical standard bearer,'' Clay said. ``The question becomes, what is the party now that the party is all grown up and is so dominant it controls every (statewide) office in the state?''
Monday
October 14th, 2024
10:20PM
