Poll Position: Should politicians who resign early help cover the cost of special elections?
Chip Rogers made news this week by announcing he was resigning his recently re-won Senate seat to take a job at Georgia Public Broadcasting. A special election for the seat will be held Jan. 8, just two months after Rogers’ replacement could have been elected in the general election had he stepped down earlier. Channel 2 Action News reports the special election will cost Cherokee and Fulton counties $500,000.
Should politicians who resign early help cover the cost of special elections?
- Yes (203 Votes)
- It depends on the circumstances of the resignation (166 Votes)
- No, they should give their campaign funds back to their donors (39 Votes)
- No, that's part of government and they should be able to use their campaign funds as they wish (27 Votes)
Total Voters: 435
Loading ...But that’s not all. Rep. Sean Jerguson, who like Rogers hails from Cherokee County, is resigning his House seat to run for the Senate post. So there will be a special election the same day to refill that seat. The two seats do not exactly overlap, so there will be some additional cost to Cherokee to hold a special election in the non-overlapping precincts.
And, for good measure, Sen. John Bulloch of Ochlocknee also announced this week he was stepping down before the 2013 legislative session starts, prompting a third special election that day in the eight southwest Georgia counties Bulloch served. (Well, it’s the third so far; it’s not out of the question that a House member could resign to run for that Senate seat and cause a fourth special election.)
Which raises a question: Should taxpayers get some help in covering the cost of special elections when politicians resign their offices early — from the politicians themselves? With the special election for Rogers’ seat alone costing $500,000, we surely are talking about millions of dollars in extra expenses for counties over the past two years.
By my count, these three special elections will bring the total since Jan. 1, 2011, to 17 (that figure is for state-level offices only; there may have been more if local races were included). One of those, the race for Senate District 30, was held on the same day as this year’s general election and thus didn’t represent an additional cost to the affected counties. But it, like eight of the other special elections, wasn’t settled without a runoff — representing even more costs to counties.
Two of the past 17 special elections were required because the elected official died in office; not much one can do about that. But eight of them were because the elected official took a job in state government; four elected officials resigned to run for another office; two moved out of their districts; and one (Bulloch) retired.
In some cases, the politicians resigned their offices left without no campaign funds left in their accounts or a negligible account. But a few of them had at least $10,000 in their accounts. Rogers ($231,033) and Bulloch ($105,967) had much more than that as of the latest report filed. To be fair, both of those reports were filed before the Nov. 6 election and may not reflect their final expenses; on the other hand, neither of them had general-election opponents, so it’s unlikely that they spent huge chunks of their war chests.
Should elected officials who resign their offices and prompt special elections be required to give their remaining campaign funds to counties to help cover the cost of those elections? That’s this week’s Poll Position question. Answer in the nearby poll and the comments thread below.
– By Kyle Wingfield
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243 comments Add your comment
JamVet
December 9th, 2012
11:49 am
Aeslop, OBL is dead and you Republicans hate it.
al qaida seems to be coming back stronger than they were when Bush/ Cheney was around.
Bush/Cheney?
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Now we are getting down to what is important to you losers.
I love it.
And better luck in 2024…
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
December 9th, 2012
11:58 am
To better understand the battle in Afghanistan, look to Libya, Yemen, Somalia, Sinai, Syria or Iraq—all places where al Qaeda and associated groups are a growing presence. (Al Qaeda in Iraq has doubled in size in the year since U.S. troops left the country.) – Retired General Jack Keane, a former vice chief of staff of the U.S. Army, is chairman of the Institute for the Study of War.
blah, blah, blah, jamvet, we heard it all before, blah, blah.
The same old.
OneFreeMan
December 9th, 2012
12:15 pm
No, they should be offered a bonus (free ticket home or lunch). If they don’t want to be there then they should be relieved of their duties immediately.
Thulsa Doom
December 9th, 2012
12:19 pm
Not only is Al-Qaeda alive but it seems they and the hard line Islamofascists are having quite an influence as a result of the Arab spring. Islamofascists now rule Egypt and Morsi is about to turn it into a dictatorship.
They also have influence in the new Libya and if Al Assad gets overthrown in Syria there’s no doubt that the Islamofascists will take over there.
Getting UBL was nice. But that is peanuts compared to the rise in radical Muslim power taking place right now before our very eyes throughout the Middle East.
No question about it. Under this president Al Qaeda and hard line Islamics are gaining unprecedented power in the Middle East. That alone makes foreign policy under this president an historical disaster.
yeah baby
December 9th, 2012
12:43 pm
Thulsa
That spanking Bookman gave you the other day was classic..
You were calling bloggers dolts and looked like the biggest on of them all.
It was great
Rob Moore
December 9th, 2012
1:57 pm
In cases such as these, yes, they should have to pay for the special elections, but there are circumstances for which we should forgive the cost. If the politician or close family member is diagnosed with serious physical or mental illness, they should not have their burden increased out of simple human compassion. If the politician resigns at the request of the governor or president to serve in another role, then rather than the politician contribute to the cost, let the governor’s office or president’s office bear the elected official’s cost. I think rules should be developed, but there should not be a one size fits all requirements.
Elected officials who switch parties during a term should be required to resign and run, again, as well as helping pay the cost of the special election. To me, party is important because individuals cannot do much, but the combined strength of a party can do a lot. It amounts to bait and switch.
zeke
December 9th, 2012
2:00 pm
If for health or for serious personal/family causes, no, otherwise, ABSOLUTELY!!!
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
December 9th, 2012
4:06 pm
Time for the Falcon’s choke.
Halftrack
December 9th, 2012
4:47 pm
Politicians should not resign immediately after the election. New laws should be made that if they are elected in November that they must complete the 1st session of the Legislature unless physical disability prevents them from doing so and it happened or discovered after the election date. Political games should be outlawed concerning vacancies. Ethics and integrity is a must of our leaders.
The AntiBoortz
December 9th, 2012
8:04 pm
Everyone KNOWS the world is flat!
Linda
December 9th, 2012
8:31 pm
Rightwing@9:52, Do you really believe any of the talking points you are spewing? Have you even tried to verify them? Do you know that you are on a conservative blog where we verify everything, regardless of whether the “news” originates from conservative media or the left-wing media?
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 9th, 2012
8:54 pm
And just a little reality for Rightwing Troll:
“W’s economy is getting better,”
With the most anemic recovery in the history of this nation, even though other recessions were far worse.
“OBL is dead,”
Which didn’t keep AQ from murdering 4 Americans, including our ambassador in Libya.
“GM alive,”
And would have been if they had gone through a private reorganization, and we wouldn’t have spent a dime to see it done.
‘housing prices are coming back,”
In certain areas. Others? Not so much.
“gas prices down,”
After rising to some of their highest levels ever during President Incompetent’s term.
“American manufacturing is returning to our shores,”
One company does not make a trend.
“new construction is everywhere you look”
Some places, yes. Others? Not so much.
But I guess when you’re in the sunshine and skittles world of the Obama sycophant, everything looks rosier than reality does. Must be the free phones, the extended unemployment coverage or increased food stamps that colors the view . . .
Linda
December 9th, 2012
9:14 pm
Seems like the Democrats have almost everything they wanted.
They have been complaining about ALL of the Bush tax cuts since the first of them were passed in ‘01. Those are all gone.
The Democrats have been complaining about the Bush tax cuts for the “wealthy,” those “millionaires & billionaires,” when everyone in the world knows that taxes are based on income, not wealth, & there is no requirement whatsoever that couples making $250,000 a year have a dime to their names, especially those who live in expensive areas of the country & who are paying for college & taking care of elderly parents. It was nothing more than class warfare. Those tax cuts are all gone.
While the Democrats have been complaining about ALL the Bush tax cuts since ‘01, they campaigned about only the Bush tax cuts for the middle & upper income earners. That was deceit.
The Democrats campaigned on the Bush tax cuts for the “wealthy.” They could have extended the Bush tax cuts for the middle & lower income earners if they had WANTED back in ‘09 or ‘10, but their goal has been to raise taxes on ALL income brackets, from day one. They are doing exactly that.
The Democrats have always wanted to cut Defense. The sequester does exactly that, designed by the Obama adm., that the Republicans voted for, by a percentage more than the Democrats would have ever been able to negotiate otherwise. That’s a done deal.
There are no meaningful spending cuts, a Democratic utopia.
The fiscal cliff was engineered by the Obama adm., passed by congress, which will take our country into another recession, escalating the approach to bankruptcy, & is the dream-come-through of progressives.
The only little detail holding the progressive agenda back is the demand to take away the power of the legislature & cede it to Obama to raise the debt ceiling.
Last, but not least, the Democrats’ plan was to blame the Republicans for taking the country over the fiscal cliff, when it has been the Democrats’ plan from day one. It is a brilliant plan on behalf of the Democrats. The divide in the Republican party has been a bonus for the Democrats.
I, for one, have seen the deception & hope that even liberals will not been too keen on the dire predictions for our country, short-term or long-term.
Linda
December 9th, 2012
9:25 pm
There is not a doubt in my mind that the goal of Obama, the progressives & the Democrats is to destroy the USA. There is no way to “transform” it without taking it down. We will know in just a few months.
Linda
December 9th, 2012
9:26 pm
You will not hear what I am saying on FOX News or talk radio. It is taboo.
getalife
December 9th, 2012
9:38 pm
The gop are one huge regulation stopping our economy and recovery.
Get out of our economy gop and fix your failed party.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 9th, 2012
10:08 pm
Teh stoopid.
It burns.
getalife
December 9th, 2012
10:11 pm
“Fiscal cliff” and the debt debacle are regulations stopping our economy and free enterprise.
The only thing your failed party should be doing is fix their failed party or disband.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 9th, 2012
10:26 pm
““Fiscal cliff” and the debt debacle are regulations stopping our economy and free enterprise.”
First, you know nothing about what drives an economy, getalife.
Second, if this was so important, why hasn’t President Incompetent done anything about it except kick the can down the road and treat it as an afterthought?
getalife
December 9th, 2012
10:30 pm
He met with your speaker today to try to remove these gop regulations.
Fix your party.
The adults will fix our economy that your failed party exploded our deficit.
bluecoat
December 9th, 2012
10:33 pm
Yes and the T Pot is gone,Cheesy grits gone,bush-whacker gone.Chances for a republican president gone for at least 4 years.Now if the poor loser would just be gone.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 9th, 2012
10:33 pm
Once again, getalife, I’m not a Republican.
I’m a Constitutionalist. You’re not ready to debate that just yet.
Linda
December 9th, 2012
10:34 pm
Tiberius@10:26, If you ignore “it,” “it’ will go away.
Sign in state park: Don’t feed the animals.
Arguing with liberals is beneath your dignity & intelligence. Don’t waste either. When will you learn that?
Love, Mom.
getalife
December 9th, 2012
10:37 pm
Constitutionalist?
You are just con.
Is the debt limit in the Constitution?
How about a “fiscal cliff”?
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 9th, 2012
10:44 pm
There are lots of things that aren’t specified in the Constitution, getalife. You’d know that if you took the time to actually read it.
The Constitution defines the LIMITS of our government, not everything it does.
And the “fiscal cliff” is a news organization coined phrase.
See, you’ve learned something new today.
getalife
December 9th, 2012
10:53 pm
No, they are gop needless regulations created to get our President and stop our recovery.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 9th, 2012
10:59 pm
“No, they are gop needless regulations created to get our President and stop our recovery.”
Really?
List the specific regulations, getalife.
This should be fun . . .
getalife
December 9th, 2012
11:05 pm
No, the gop should have waited until we return to full employment so our economy can handle the regulations of cuts.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 9th, 2012
11:15 pm
If we wait until full employment, that would have required putting a GOP President and Congress in place, not President Incompetent.
getalife
December 9th, 2012
11:20 pm
BS and the gop never had a problem raising our debt when they blew out our deficit.
The gop are one big economic needless regulation.
Cut that regulation cons. cons.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 9th, 2012
11:21 pm
And yet, you fail to list a single regulation.
Because you don’t know what a regulation is.
captguitarman
December 10th, 2012
2:18 am
Define “early.” Early because of unanticipated health, or family, or other hardships . . . or early because you were out on the fringe, out playing in political la-la land, or a participant in private unethical, of not illegal, business practices, and making the Senate so dysfunctional that every one in your party and the Gov couldn’t wait to get rid of you? And they want to get rid of you so badly that the Gov steps in and creates this stupid non-essential, make work job at a salary yet to be announced, which will be breathtakingly far more costly than any real productive service imagineable (salary yet to be announced), and with resentful, fellow, productive employees by the dozens wondering what in the world you are doing there, and why are you being paid so much more than they are? And all your self righteous pontificaton about bringing state finances under control, but hey, what’s $500,000 to the taxpayers if it bails me out of a bady, and hey, why not bust a move to get out of a legitimate loan obligation to yet another failed Georgia bank that failed because it did bidness with people like you? Hypocrite and hypocrites to the very core.
When King Roy and the arrogant Dems ruled Georgia, it was infuriating, and I could not wait for the day when the righteous and fair Pub/Cons would one day have their chance to make things right in Georgia state government. The moral of the tale — be careful what you wish for. All that has changed is the name of the party in control.
John
December 10th, 2012
6:59 am
The adults will fix our economy that your failed party exploded our deficit.
Funny how the O-sink-O-pants refer to their leaders as “the adults.” I can only imagine them sitting at the children’s table waiting for the piddling allowance they’ve been promised.
Darwin
December 10th, 2012
7:30 am
Should people who take a boat out in stormy weather pay for the cost of their rescue?
Thomas Heyward Jr
December 10th, 2012
8:04 am
In a more sane world, only the voter and the votee would be charged for such R versus D nonsense.
Rightwing troll
December 10th, 2012
8:13 am
Linda, like I said, open your eyes… All that I said is happening and more. Even if you and your ilks refuse to acknowledge it…
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
December 10th, 2012
8:50 am
The President has survived his first four years by blaming everything on George Bush. Now he is planning to blame the next four years on Congressional Republicans.
Notice how no one thinks the economy is going to get better, no matter what?
Rockerbabe
December 10th, 2012
9:10 am
YES, especially when the resignation is for something other than criminal, ethnical, family or health issues of a long term nature. But, I am happy that deMint will be leaving. Now maybe, the Senate will be less fracterious and can get something done.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 10th, 2012
9:58 am
“Now maybe, the Senate will be less fracterious and can get something done.”
I didn’t know Harry Reid was resigning, Rockerbabe, ’cause that’s the only way the Senate begins to get anything done.
Rightwing Troll
December 10th, 2012
10:31 am
Yes cryberious, The only way for the senate to function again is for the MAJORITY leader to resign…
Makes sense in the bizarro world where things aren’t improving and the party who gets their hateful, lying, butts whipped should be able to call all the legislative shots…
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 10th, 2012
10:39 am
Here’s reality, Rightwing Troll.
In the real world, even a minority view would be heard, considered and even incorporated into bills coming out of the Senate. We call that “compromise”. When the majority leader allows for NONE OF THOSE THINGS TO OCCUR, it turns the minority into as one-sided a body as the majority is, and they then have every right to become obstructionist.
When you take on the title of “leader”, the hope is that you have the ability to LEAD.
Harry Reid is no leader. A leader listens to all sides. A leader tries to bring people on board. A leader tries to get things done.
If you want things to get done in the Senate, you need a majority leader who understands the word.
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
December 10th, 2012
10:47 am
If the Democrats have a plan for dealing with the cliff, let them pass it through the House. They won everything in the recent election, so it should be a slam dunk.
Rightwing troll
December 10th, 2012
7:58 pm
Keep on with the lies and openly cheering for failure and the house will be theirs as well…