Breaking: Denied by the GOP, Boyd abandons independent bid for governor
Ray Boyd, the mercurial millionaire who burst on to the Georgia political scene in April, announced Sunday he was giving up his long-shot bid to run for governor as an independent.
Boyd came out of nowhere when he dropped $2 million of his own money into a campaign account and announced he would run for governor as a Republican. But after refusing to sign a GOP loyalty oath, state party leaders refused to allow him on their primary ballot.
Boyd then began the long and arduous process of collecting signatures from nearly 50,000 registered voters to qualify for the November ballot as an independent. On Sunday, Boyd said it proved to be too much of a challenge.
“The ‘fire in the belly’ burns as strongly as ever,” Boyd said in an e-mail to supporters. “I will simply invest my time, energy, and funds in other ways to help insure that our children and their children will continue to have the same opportunity to enjoy the freedoms that were past down to us by our forefathers.”
Boyd said he had hired a private company to help him collect signatures, but the firm told him that it wasn’t going well. The company showed him “the futility of continuing. The last thing I want to do is waste anyone’s valuable time so I have stopped before the deadline arrives.”
Boyd said he had a “Plan B,” “which will be as good or maybe better than ‘Plan A,’” but he did not provide details.
“Please stay energized,” he said. “Help is on the way.”
His decision to end his bid is likely a boost to the eventual Republican nominee, as Boyd presence on the ballot would have likely siphoned at least some votes from the GOP candidate.
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57 comments Add your comment
Brent
June 27th, 2010
1:03 pm
Damn shame. Made me sick to get that email today. The Dems and Rebublicans are shameful and since they in charge it will never change. Really scary.
Billy O
June 27th, 2010
1:11 pm
That’s what wrong with politics today…..politicians are more interested in PARTY…..they all need to be replaced…..dems and reps alike…..I want someone who wants to do what’s right for the state and country…..not what’s right for the PARTY…..our Republic is going to “hell in a hand basket” because of PARTIES.
Ronin
June 27th, 2010
1:11 pm
I’ve never met Ray Boyd and don’t know anything about him other than he does not play party politics,
which is a plus in my opinion. The problem is the party system, loyalty to the party and not to the voters/people. Frankly, I’m sick of both the Democrats and the Republicans. Further, I really don’t need to be governed.
david
June 27th, 2010
1:19 pm
“enjoy the freedoms that were past down to us by our forefathers”…….Really?….does anyone know the english language anymore…..the writer, not the speaker…I believe you wanted “passed”….
Uga Dude
June 27th, 2010
1:19 pm
It appears that Boyd turned out to be more of a loyal Republican than the rest of the gang of below average GOP candidates since his departure helps the eventual nominee. However, Boyd is head and shoulders a better person than any of these others. If Oxendine or the uneducated Handel or the ethically challenged Deal become Governor, then God save us!
Please reconsider Mr. Boyd! These candidates are pitiful!
luangtom
June 27th, 2010
1:21 pm
Too bad he could not stick it out. Third-party politics do happen. Jesse Ventura won in MN in the ’90’s and was quite successful in keeping the two major parties in line for his term. Hell, he even got us rebate checks ‘cuz he had a budget-surplus…..
Great
June 27th, 2010
1:21 pm
The one guy who had a clue that you cannot even begin to fix the education problems in Georgia without restoring discipline back in the classroom has dropped out, leaving us with a group of sycophants who will try to convince us that rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic is the answer to smooth sailing.
Is there a single human being in Georgia who doubts, regardless of which hack is voted into office, that Georgia will still rank in the bottom ten educational wise, at the end of their term?
pookfester
June 27th, 2010
1:26 pm
Thats all we needed was a communist.
Yeah, okay
June 27th, 2010
1:29 pm
“after refusing to sign a GOP loyalty oath, state party leaders refused to allow him on their primary ballot.”
And republicans like to claim Democrats are brainwashed??!! So basically, because he refused to tout the b.s. republican party line he was ousted from the ticket. Nice. And these are the people you want running our government, do it our way or hit the highway. No wonder the Bush years were so effed up for so many.
Jim Andrews
June 27th, 2010
1:36 pm
AJC, how about a story on Joe Biden calling the custard shop owner a “smarta..” when the owner asked Biden to reduce taxes?
(Wonder if this comment will be allowed)?
Art
June 27th, 2010
1:40 pm
I hear there is a movement by some concerned citizens in Georgia to collect (legally) all sorts of damning information on each of the candidates–Democrap AND Retardican–for exposure in the news media just prior to the election. That way, the electorate will be informed about the criminals they may be voting for. If so, Georgia will set a good example for the rest of the country. Hey candidates, did you notice that unmarked vehicle following you around to your illicit meetings with your lovers? HaHaHaHa. Or that annoying webtracker software you keep trying to get rid of (but can’t) that is tracking the flow of funds in your personal accounts? HaHaHaHa
Bill O
June 27th, 2010
1:40 pm
In response to Jim Andrews comment regarding Joe Bidens response to the custard shop owner…
FYI….Biden knows all about running a business. He’s been on the public dole since age 29 and he’s what, 65. He like his boss, obama, have no idea what’s going on in the “real” world where people need jobs (not government handouts) to make it.
Shondra
June 27th, 2010
2:02 pm
No chance Bill. The AJC has to check the the listserv to know how to spin Biden’s attack on a taxpayer.
adam
June 27th, 2010
2:08 pm
Too bad. This guy is better than any of the jerks from the Party of No.
Alabama Communist
June 27th, 2010
2:17 pm
No doubt Mr Boyd has look at the cost effective of his campaign to seize power in Georgia and the Republican Party….Another Campaign Consultant Company has suggested to him that it is cheaper to hired the 101 st Montana Milita to seize the Governor office without having to worry about the election process nor the Republican Tea Party procreating up the State of Georgia once again…..
Ronin
June 27th, 2010
2:21 pm
So the political class leader, Joe Biden, scolds a working class voter about being a smarta**. Old Joe gets caught on tape. Be nice? How about doing something other than stumping for other career politicians. The elite never want to be challenged or questioned about their activities or agenda. It’s too difficult for the poor working class stooge to understand, unless it’s related to the ballot box.
People like Ray Boyd have to get down in the mud and compete “against” the party and the opponent. The deck is stacked against them to run as an independents, leaving the Democrass and the Republitards to form policy. None of which is in the best interest of the people, rather it’s what’s best for the party. I think Joe Stalin had the same concept.
Tea Partier
June 27th, 2010
2:22 pm
Too many lawyers running this government into the ground, and they all seem to belong to the Socialist Democrat party. Obama. Biden. Both Clintons. Edwards. Kerry. Not a one ever started a business or created a single job, yet they all know what’s best for the country. Legislate prosperity and raise taxes on the productive citizens, while buying votes from the non-productive. The tit has run dry.
ED Herman
June 27th, 2010
2:24 pm
The GOP DID NOT deny Mr. Ray Boyd, he denied the GOP by refusing to sign their required pledge to support the GOP. He made is own bed and he must now live it.
Tolja Sew
June 27th, 2010
2:25 pm
Alabuma Commonis: When I (attempted) to read and unnerstan yore comments, I first thot about yore edjakashun in alabumma, however, they’s just as bad here in Jawga, them darn Guvmint schoolz!
Really, though, I thought you were putting us on with your, er, grammar but I’m not so sure now. You should have stayed with your Weekly Reader while you were still in Grammar School…or, are you still there?
Tea Bagger
June 27th, 2010
2:39 pm
Oh, the horror: the ‘I hate government’ racist loon constituency just lost their “man.” Maybe it’s not too late for that buh-rilliant Cox employee, Borezt!
Bubba
June 27th, 2010
3:44 pm
Don’t confuse these politicians with real lawyers. Obama, Biden, Clinton and Kerry have one thing in common. They graduated from law school en route to political careers, but never practiced law, never represented clients who depended on them, never had to worry about running the business of a law firm, never had to make payroll. Practicing lawyers have far more in common with small business owners than do sanctimonious politicians who spend their lives collecting a government paycheck and never ran a business or a law practice.
Bubba
June 27th, 2010
3:45 pm
And the same could be said about some local politicians who happen to have law degrees, e.g., Senator Judson Hill in Cobb County.
B.D.
June 27th, 2010
3:47 pm
Politicians, dems or repubs never cared for the people, only the control of power. We need solutions not a d— swinging contest!
DamntheButcher
June 27th, 2010
3:49 pm
Bubba those 3 that you named are no different than the Republican liars in office. Especially the main BIG LIAR that told everybody there was WMD’s in Iraq. Now, why don’t you go ask that drug abusing pusscle gut Rush Limbaugh what you need to do next because you Republicans can’t think on your own.
Sary Palin
June 27th, 2010
3:49 pm
I’m comin’ ta hep, fokes. Fer big $, me an’ the Wasilly hillbilly clan will do for you what we done fer AK!
atlmom
June 27th, 2010
4:19 pm
luangtom: other states have easier rules for getting on the ballot as an independent. in GA – you need signatures from 5% of the registered voters which really means that the dems and repubs have conspired to keep everyone who is not one of them off the ballot (and then they don’t even put candidates up against the other side most of the time).
Remember that Lieberman is an independent. he LOST the primary, then filed as an independent. In georgia, THIS YEAR – if you are filing as an independent (with all those signatures, which is virtually impossible to get) – you need to file by July 13. And the primaries, remember, are July 20. So no way one could lose a primary and file as an I. It’s about impossible here…
Home School Drop Out
June 27th, 2010
4:23 pm
Massah Boyd is the ideal Republican.The GOP should be nice to him.
T_height
June 27th, 2010
5:02 pm
So I guess it takes someone who has owned a business or been a lawyer to know what the people need. We have put ourselves in a position in this country to think that life is about what we want and not what we need. Once we as a nation start to appreciate each other more, we will never move foward in a postive to way. I understand the purpose of Politics and the different parties but I don’t understand the what are the individual people purpose of being in the party of their choice. I really want to know some of your reason why.
somewhereinga
June 27th, 2010
5:14 pm
Bubba said: “Don’t confuse these politicians with real lawyers. Obama, Biden, Clinton and Kerry have one thing in common. They graduated from law school en route to political careers, but never practiced law, never represented clients who depended on them, never had to worry about running the business of a law firm, never had to make payroll.”
Actually, Bubba, you need to check your facts. You remember facts…those pesky little things that are the truth…like Biden owned the law firm of Biden and Walsh. Clinton was a lawyer and a professor. Obama was a civil rights attorney. In 1979 John Kerry set up his own private practice law firm.
vuduchld
June 27th, 2010
5:44 pm
Just what Jawja needs, another big monied nitwit who claims that running state govmint like a buzness would cure are your state’s ills. Well, he crashed and burned just like another nitwit whose name is Palin. When will you people grow up? These are the same people, except for the names. I is this clown the best you can do. Is this an example of your best and brightest…lamo
outspoken1
June 27th, 2010
6:45 pm
Boyd is a Void!
outspoken1
June 27th, 2010
6:46 pm
AVOID BOYD!
outspoken1
June 27th, 2010
6:47 pm
I just bet he can hear his dear dad’s words ringing loud and clear!
“Boy’yid better not spend all dat money fur nuttin.”
Lulu
June 27th, 2010
6:54 pm
so i’m left with no one to vote for except party people/poopers. Too bad! Thank you GA lawmakers for making true democracy in our state of our republic impossible to achieve.
Roy Barnes
June 27th, 2010
7:03 pm
Ray Boyd was obviously out of step with mainstream Georgians. I’m amazed how these Republican millionaires think they can buy their way into the governor’s mansion and step all over the little people !
Common People
June 27th, 2010
7:20 pm
The big political parties (you know the 2 of them) and the goverment have once again prevented someone from running against them because of the signature requirement. Because Boyd was wealthy, he could have spent tons of money to get the 50k signatures, but then he would have had a lot less money to advertise.
For most common people, we could not even think of doing what Boyd tried to do. We need change. We need to reduce the signature requirement to a reasonable number like 5,000.
Tom Watson
June 27th, 2010
7:56 pm
Want an arrogant guy. He thought his money could buy his way in. Take a hint Boyd. Attend a party meeting and put some time and energy in as an advocate and worker before expecting everyone to bow down at your feet.
gbw
June 27th, 2010
8:50 pm
Who? I found one picture of the man. Why are candidates so reluctant to have their pictures published?
three jack
June 27th, 2010
9:47 pm
thank you ray boyd for demonstrating how flawed our system is in georgia. the arrogant gop demands a loyalty oath yet ignores those who blatantly trample upon the conservative principles on which the oath should be based. why would any honest american swear allegiance to the party of richardson, oxendine, perdue and deal…all scoundrels with more skeletons in their respective closets than the hauntiest of haunted houses.
militaryman
June 28th, 2010
7:20 am
Like all republicans thinking he could buy his way into the power. Once they get there, blame everything on big government while thinking of downsizing the government,putting people out of work,and giving all the contracts to their friends while the employees get no benefits and less pay. Already given all the jobs in America away. Just rich men greed. The poor republicans think they are included in the party. Wrong!
Roy McCreary
June 28th, 2010
7:26 am
Roy Barnes is obviously out of step with mainstream Georgians too.
Roy McCreary
June 28th, 2010
7:29 am
Roy Barnes’ candidate days are numbered also. He has no chance of winning.
militaryman
June 28th, 2010
7:36 am
Guarantee a Barnes win. What is mainstream Georgia a bunch of war sideline guys. People that support the wars but to afraid to fight them. I thought so.
Scott Grier
June 28th, 2010
8:11 am
I totally disagree with those who say Roy Barnes want win the Governor race . He is already polling way ahead of everyone that is running in both parties .
Morrus
June 28th, 2010
9:46 am
Curiously, in a supposed anti-incumbent year, most of the departing are not retiring but seeking higher office. We may recycle more than we replace. The bad news is that a frustrating 114 seats still have but one contestant. Two of them aren’t even incumbents, meaning they will affect state policy without being vetted by voters. And I have to think that we’d be better off if many had run instead for the Legislature — and cut down on the number running unopposed. Georgia’s problems are numerous. They aren’t going away. There’s too much stale thinking at the Capitol, on both sides of the aisle. New voices would be welcome.
Boyd drops bid for GOV
June 28th, 2010
11:11 am
[...] Aaron Gould Sheinin reports: [...]
ROWHOO
June 28th, 2010
11:59 am
Roy Barnes will be “Flagged” into defeat. It will influence 4-5% which should make the difference.
HBC
June 28th, 2010
12:20 pm
Sorry to see Boyd dropping out of the race. It’s pretty stupid to have to sign a loyalty oath to run as a Republican. Seems like they must require a signature to make sure all their people step to the same drum. Well. Not any independent thinking ever came from the Republicans. Sad, isn’t it? It’s equally stupid that the state makes it so difficult for someone to run as an independent. I seriously doubt if either of these 2 things will change anytime in the near (and, probably the far) future.
SickAtHeart
June 28th, 2010
12:29 pm
Can we do away with the “party system?” Let everybody run in the primary. The top two candidates would then run in the general election. I am sick of party people who are mostly pretenders anyway.
Patrick
June 28th, 2010
2:10 pm
I’m voting for the candidate that supports mass transit, high speed rail and alcohol on Sundays!