60 House members backing Nathan Deal
Coming from Political Insider’s Jim Galloway: A list of 60 House members backing GOP runoff gubernatorial candidate Nathan Deal is expected Friday, and he’ll also take a look at one reason that GOP rival Karen Handel’s candidacy could prove revolutionary. Read more.
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16 comments Add your comment
Jaye
July 29th, 2010
3:39 pm
Two Handel supporters (voters) in my household want to know which House members backing Good Old Boy Nathan Deal. Will look forward to seeing that list.Maybe this means a sure-fire loss for Gramps.
whatever
July 29th, 2010
3:43 pm
Political Insider State GOP lawmakers weigh in on Nathan Deal’s side
2:22 pm July 29, 2010, by Jim Galloway
We have two developments today in the Republican runoff for governor.
First, as mentioned this morning, there’s Karen Handel’s new TV ad, another aggressive punch that you can see here.
It describes rival Nathan Deal as “a corrupt relic of Washington.” The language is important. The word “corrupt” is strong but unsurprising, given Handel’s message of reform and her need to enhance her image as an outsider.
It is the word “relic” that startles – another hefty allusion to the 20-year gap in the ages of the two GOP candidates. How Deal responds to the two-pronged attack — and how quickly — is likely to be telling.
This afternoon, the Deal campaign cut loose with a list of 24 current state senators who endorse his candidacy – and three Republican nominees for the Senate.
That’s pretty much the entire Republican Senate caucus – minus those GOP senators themselves engaged in runoff campaigns. Remember that the leader of the chamber, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, comes from Gainesville – as does Deal.
Though he’s no longer a member of the chamber, the roster begs the question: Where is Eric Johnson?
A list of 60 House members backing Deal is expected tomorrow.
Among them will be Speaker pro tem Jan Jones (R-Alpharetta), who – like Handel – carries a good deal of influence in north Fulton, and who will be making robo-calls for the Deal campaign.
In today’s print column, the Insider takes a look at one reason that Handel’s candidacy could prove revolutionary. She would be the first governor since Lester Maddox in 1966 to become governor without prior service in the Legislature.
But these lists of legislative endorsements are a measure of why it is so hard for strangers to the General Assembly to become governor. Each lawmaker is a network unto himself (herself), representing several thousand votes statewide.
Handel put out a list of endorsements Wednesday that included only 11 future and prospective state lawmakers.
The most interesting name on Handel’s list belongs to state Rep. Earl Ehrhart of Powder Springs, who lost his position as chairman House Rules Committee when David Ralston of Blue Ridge became speaker.
Last we heard, Ehrhart was conducting a quiet campaign for House majority leader, to replace the retiring Jerry Keen of St. Simons Island.
Following are the list of state senators supporting Deal:
Senator Don Balfour, Snellville
Senator John Bulloch, Ochlocknee
Senator Jim Butterworth, Cornelia
Senator Buddy Carter, Pooler
Senator Ronnie Chance, Tyrone
Senator John Crosby, Tifton
Senator Greg Goggans, Douglas
Senator Johnny Grant, Milledgeville
Senator Bill Hamrick, Carrollton
Senator Seth Harp, Midland
Senator Bill Heath, Bremen
Senator Bill Jackson, Appling
Senator Butch Miller, Flowery Branch
Senator Jeff Mullis, Chickamauga
Senator Jack Murphy, Cumming
Senator Chip Pearson, Dawsonville
Senator Chip Rogers, Woodstock
Senator Mitch Seabaugh, Sharpsburg
Senator Don Thomas, Dalton
Senator Ross Tolleson, Perry
Senator Renee Unterman, Buford
Senator Dan Weber, Dunwoody
Senator John Wiles, Kennesaw
Senator Tommie Williams, Lyons
Republican Senate nominees who have endorsed Deal:
Charlie Bethel, Dalton
Barry Loudermilk, Cassville
Lindsey Tippins, Marietta
Commonsenseagitator
July 29th, 2010
4:27 pm
An honest republican is like an alien from another planet you hear about them but never see them and no body can find one to present as proof
NameRequired
July 29th, 2010
4:47 pm
“60 House members backing Nathan Deal” – now there’s a reason to vote for Handel, or Barnes, or Libertarian, or write in Mickey Mouse . . .
mike
July 29th, 2010
7:16 pm
Well he said he was in Congress for 18 years and exactly what does he have to show for it other than he made a fortune on the side. (shades of Sonny). But heck you repubturds don’t care about that. You don’t care how low education is, you don’t care about the economy or anything that matters to the people of this state. But talk up abortion which should be the last thing on this states agenda. And yes continue to get on tv and blame THOSE people in Washington for what goes on here.
GTJohn
July 29th, 2010
7:20 pm
The fact that 60 members of the House are backing Deal is reason enough to vote for Handel. Hopefully, she can start clean this mess up and in a non-partisan way. Corruption is on both sides of the aisle.
bart
July 29th, 2010
8:45 pm
What a joke! The good ole boys network is alive and well. It seems our good ole boys support corruption over honesty and ethics.
GOPwits
July 30th, 2010
12:20 am
Who are these nitwits that are lining up behind someone under a federal grand jury investigation?
Why are they even serving in the legislature if they so openly support such open corruption?
This is very disturbing that these so called elected officials support someone so corrupt.
Color me green and call me for Handel!
pete
July 30th, 2010
7:22 am
I am sure they are just as corrupt.Birds a like fly a like.
Tray
July 30th, 2010
7:49 am
Does this mean no bid contracts for all or just those that endorse Deal?
The Snark
July 30th, 2010
8:51 am
The U. S. House of Representatives is so full of amateurs and crackpots that you can find 60 members to support a resolution that Bigfoot is alive and well.
wethepeoplearescrewed
July 30th, 2010
8:55 am
If House members are backing Deal, I’m voting for Handel.
Educated Voter
July 30th, 2010
10:25 am
I believe this is referring to members of the Georgia General Assembly House of Representatives.
andy
July 30th, 2010
11:07 am
Hmm. If 60 Republican House cronies are supporting Deal, it is a pretty strong indication that one should probably vote for Handel.
Marge Wood
July 30th, 2010
1:24 pm
Nathan Deal is the candidate we need who can beat Roy Barnes and who has been PROACTIVE in his legislative efforts that he is doing what is best for Georgia. He is one of the few candidates to opposes anchor baby citizenship and has put it to legislation….not just words. Palin is losing her credibility by endorsing people who she does not know and who she has never worked with. At least Newt Gingrich knows how Nathan Deal worked in the US House of Representatives and that his voting record is something to be proud of. We see that Palin also endorses John McCain…the ultimate RINO, non-conservative…Look at people’s record and not their promises. Deal was a former Democrat like Zell Miller…back when there was a conservative democat faction….they are all now extinct excepf for a few in sheep’s clothing ….known as Blue Dogs (who support Obama).
Colonel Parker
August 2nd, 2010
12:33 pm
Hello!!!Come on people, Ga. House Members. I am growing weary of Sarah Palin, Has she supported any male in a race where a female is running? She has no idea who Karen Handle is. I will follow Newt, Kingston etc. Does anyone think Palin or Romney knows anything about Ga. The negative attack on Deal by Handle shows desperation and doubt to me. Lets talk issues. Just remember liberals will support the candiate in a run off they would like to face in a general election. Be careful what you read and hear be sure of where it comes from, It is very easy to make offical looking mailers.