A Republican voice of moral recklessness
Late last week, state Sen. Jeff Chapman of coastal Glynn County quietly filed the necessary paperwork to run for governor.
Chapman is now Republican No. 7 in the contest to replace Sonny Perdue.
The senator has given little thought to organization and fund-raising, and so begins with a significant disadvantage. The major GOP candidates have been at it a year and more. If you haven’t raised $1 million by now, or close to it, you’re on your way to also-ran status.
But it would be wrong to dismiss Chapman as a Don Quixote of the salt marshes, because he brings something essential to the contest: A discussion of the impact that private wealth and power have had on the Republican party and state policy since 2002.
In the Senate, Chapman has bucked his leadership by opposing a long-term contract for the redevelopment of Jekyll Island — given to a company whose owners are major Republican donors.
This spring, Chapman voted against the measure that will allow Georgia Power to charge customers in advance for costs associated with the construction of two nuclear plants.
But if the Brunswick lawmaker is a reform candidate, he arrives at the label from the conservative side. Chapman put in six years as a county commissioner before his 2004 election to the Legislature.
The two jobs have had one thing in common, he said. “Certain groups desire the ability to avoid competition. That’s probably the most straight-up way to say it. And they tend to come to government for that.”
Influence peddling, in less polite terminology.
The attitude has most probably cost Chapman a normal political trajectory. He sports no Senate committee chairmanship. His GOP friends provided him with opposition in the 2008 primary, and intended to do the same next year.
Chapman has a following. As a freshman senator in 2005, he startled his Republican caucus when he became the fellow who had to be satisfied on the issue of eminent domain — the power of the government to seize your property for the greater good.
The issue gave him street cred with hard-core Republicans, which became important when he took on party regulars on the issue of state-owned Jekyll Island.
Last December, the Jekyll Island Authority signed a contract with Linger Longer Communities to build two hotels, a time-share condo complex, lofts and a small shopping center. Linger Longer will have the right of first refusal on every development or management contract the authority lets over the next 25 years.
Chapman noted that the Jekyll Island Authority approved the contract at an emergency meeting that was called on the day after Thanksgiving, and held via telephone conference the next Monday. Chapman claims the authority gave away the store – a contention that the authority disputes.
“That happens in other areas of government. For me, it was very real and happened in a state park in my district,” Chapman said on Friday.
Linger Longer is a remarkably qualified development company that can attract visitors back to a Jekyll Island that has been in decline for decades, the state authority would argue — and has. But it is also true that the company is headed by two high-profile Republican fund-raisers and cousins, Mercer Reynolds and Jamie Reynolds of Greensboro.
Some have speculated that Chapman’s coastal candidacy will pull from that of fellow state Sen. Eric Johnson of Savannah. But there is also the matter of Johnson’s campaign finance chairman, Jamie Reynolds, who was also in charge of raising money in Georgia for GOP presidential candidate John McCain in 2008.
Mercer Reynolds, appointed by President George W. Bush as ambassador to Switzerland, was McCain’s national finance chairman.
We’re not talking small potatoes.
With the Georgia Power vote, Chapman was more concerned about process. Fueled by a massive lobbying effort, the utility this year won approval from the Legislature to bypass the state Public Service Commission. You’ll begin paying extra in 2011 for electricity that won’t be generated until at least 2017.
“Here the taxpayers are paying thousands and thousands of dollars for an organization that specializes in justifying requests from utilities,” said Chapman. “And they have as a resource to them actuaries and other specialists that can spread it out on the table, examine it, and ensure that there’s justice and fairness involved here.
“And yet that was bypassed,” he said. “If they’re inept or there’s a problem with that system, we need to deal with that. But when the engine light comes on and it’s red, don’t reach up under it and cut the wire.”
Chapman isn’t the only Republican with raised eyebrows. State Rep. Austin Scott of Tifton, who has been walking the state to promote his candidacy for governor, has voiced many of the same concerns. State Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine has likewise decried the influence of special interests, though the fact that, as of July, he led all GOP candidates in cash on hand puts a dull edge on his outrage.
But Chapman is the fellow who has shown the greatest inclination for moral recklessness, and thus could be the one to watch. “I don’t fear not getting elected. What I do fear is knowing what’s right, and not doing it,” he said.
The senator’s 15-year-old son may have made the greater sacrifice. He has agreed to a year of home schooling while the Chapman family travels the state.
Some Republicans might say Chapman is doing his party harm by raising uncomfortable questions about power and influence. But come what may, Democrats will be raising the same points next September.
A well-practiced answer is always a good thing.
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56 comments Add your comment
catlady
September 6th, 2009
3:15 pm
I’d vote for him, and that is saying a lot!
duuuude
September 6th, 2009
5:05 pm
OK, but DUDE. Chapman is not a smart man. He is a self-satisfied ignoramus who has no business running a shoe store, much less an entire state. The only reason I’m glad he’s running is because it means he won’t be in the Senate anymore. Idiot, idiot, idiot.
duuuude
September 6th, 2009
5:07 pm
Enter your comments here
Base
September 6th, 2009
6:12 pm
What a nut.
Will Jones - Atlanta
September 6th, 2009
8:58 pm
Chapman looks to have a lock on the race for governor, unless the Democrats can conjure up a righteous candidate to best him. What a pleasant change in Georgia…candidates of principle, honor, and moral authority vying for the Public’s trust. G-d’s blessings shall, no doubt, begin to flow in Georgia again.
Marsha
September 6th, 2009
10:57 pm
Duuuude obviously isn’t familiar with Sen. Chapmans’ record or the kind of person he is. The Senator’s eminent domain and Jekyll legislation speak volumes about what the guy of man Chapman is. I guess some people are just offended when they see a guy like Chapman who won’t kiss butts or sell out his convictions in order to work his way up the political food chain. For me, Chapman, because he has dared to rock the boat on the people’s behalf, is THE most appealing candidate for Governor, both parties considered. My guess is that a lot of Georgians will feel the same way.
clyde
September 7th, 2009
12:38 am
There’ll be no Governor Chapman,
Will Jones - Atlanta
September 7th, 2009
5:35 am
“clyde” told us there’d be no President Obama, too. In ancient Israel false prophets were stoned. What are you “smoking,” “clyde?”
Skipper
September 7th, 2009
7:50 am
Clyde and Duuude are either on the board of Georgia Power or the Jekyll Island Authority..LOL
Ga Values
September 7th, 2009
8:37 am
Chapman has my vote.
Skipper
September 7th, 2009
8:59 am
Wonder if Tommie Williams and Eric Johnson voted yes to that GPCO deal that put the risk of doing business on Georgians? My guess is >>>>YES. Most of these guys get up there and lose what ever moral fiber and character they had before hand. Chapman looks not to be one who has held the line.
Williams was a little sawed off pine straw selling missionary before he drank the koolaid.
Res Ipsa Loquitur
September 7th, 2009
9:23 am
The Republicans, who came to majority control in GA supposedly claiming the moral high ground after decades of Democratic self-dealing and cronyism, have equaled or surpassed the Dems now that they are in power. The state Republican leadership has devoted itself to lining it’s own pockets and the pockets of it’s major campaign finance donors, at the expense of the common people of Georgia. The giveaway of Jekyll Island State Park to George Bush’s and John McCain’s campaign finance director, is the very essence of malignant cronyism, and in my mind is almost a criminal act, since it involved a series of seemingly shady, back room deals and manipulations that the public was shut out of completely. The appearance of impropriety and misuse of power is overwhelming. And these same folks in the Republican leadership have spared no expense to try to unseat Jeff Chapman from his Senate seat. It has been dirty politics from the get-go. Absolutely revolting.
Daedalus
September 7th, 2009
9:25 am
Let’s see.
Opposed the giveaway of Jekyll Island to well-connected GOP developers.
Opposed the sham process to let Georgia Power bilk us today for electricity we may never see tomorrow — with the entire risk of loss on the ratepayer and none on the officers and shareholders of the company.
We are supposed to believe this guy is a Republican?
Moses
September 7th, 2009
9:59 am
How about changing the title to: “A Republican Voice AGAINST Moral Recklessness.” Somewhat more accurate based on the contents of the article.
Leon Galis
September 7th, 2009
10:16 am
Georgia has a long tradition of electing people who’re good at pushing the voters’ buttons while blowing off their real interests. Decades ago, all a candidate had to do was swear undying fealty to segregation and low taxes and he was in like flint. More recently, all it took was promising to restore the St. Andrews Cross to the state flag while keeping taxes low. Then it was opposing same-sex marriage while keeping taxes low. Now it’s promising to amend the state constitution to bar the implementation in Georgia of any federal health care law, while keeping…you get the idea. It’ll be very interesting to see how a candidate fares who just promises to actually govern this asylum for the genuine benefit of its people. What a concept!
Independent
September 7th, 2009
10:41 am
While I find your phrase “moral recklessness” somewhat confusing, I appreciate your calling attention to Senator Chapman’s stands on some very important issues concerning the governing of this state. He’s the only announced candidate for governor so far who interests me. Oxendine and Dean would just be more of the ethically challenged same who are beholden to big money and special interests. Eric Johnson I would never vote for. I’m sure if it had been up to him, the whole of Jekyll Island would have been turned over to his good friends the Reynoldses, and his ill-disguised efforts to kill public education with his voucher program are just more pandering to a base.
We need an open-minded, intelligent governor who is willing to try to work with the legislature to solve this state’s serious problems—someone who acknowledges the metro area as the engine that is sputtering because of traffic and water woes, to name two problems, and will work to fix them. At the same time, a governor needs to also care about the issues of farmers and shrimpers, and I think Chapman just might be the man who would actually listen to all stakeholders and try to make Georgia a better place.
Robert
September 7th, 2009
10:42 am
That is exactly how Chapman was when he was a commissioner. When he left that job the Glynn County Commissioners did not govern but started using the tax payers money to improve where they owned residential and commercial property and ignoring infrastructure improvements and things like storm drain repair. Well , last weeks floods showed the people of Glynn what worthless politicians that inhabited it’s commissioners seats got them when they had a foot of water in their living rooms.
David
September 7th, 2009
10:44 am
Moses makes an excellent point – it is Chapman who is standing on the moral high ground, and it’s the current leadership of Georgia’s Republican party that has acted with moral recklessness. Protecting private property from falling victim to the state’s abuse of eminent domain law; protecting Jekyll Island State Park from exploitation by top Republican fund-raiser Mercer Reynolds; protecting the public interest by opposing the Georgia Power scam – these are the actions of a Senator who understands what public service is supposed to be about. The ethically-challenged upper echelon of Chapman’s own party, on the other hand, has attempted to punish him, to isolate him, for remaining true to his convictions and to the best principles of the Republican party. It’s a shame that the words “morally reckless” appear in the same sentence with a man of Chapman’s principles and record, but Jim Galloway is right in applying that label to Chapman if we construe it to mean standing strong for one’s convictions, no matter what the cost. In this sense, Chapman’s “morally reckless” political behavior isn’t reckless; it’s righteous and in the best tradition of the Republican party of Teddy Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.
If Chapman can muster the funds to make himself and his record known across the state, he will be a force to be reckoned with in the Republican primary.
Cindy Buchanan
September 7th, 2009
11:16 am
Homeschooling- a sacrifice??? I don’t think so! The best place for his 15 year old son is with him!
Chris Mathews is covered in his own spittle
September 7th, 2009
11:19 am
Hey Jumbo G, are you going to cover the Van Jones story. You know, Obama had to fire him. The communist? The Racist? The all around arsehole, Van Jones?
Jim P
September 7th, 2009
11:26 am
I don’t think Georgia can stand another 4 years of circus clowns running it like the ones that have been running it for the last 16. Clowns that tax us for corporate interest. Clowns that think Georgians need to be taught how to fish and will spend millions doing it. Clowns that pass laws who the attorney general says he can’t enforce. Clowns that wreck state vehicles.. Clowns that during a budget crisis will slip Mercer Reynolds in a new road up to his resort. Eric Johnson and Oxindine have been part of that circus.
Rhonda Atlanta
September 7th, 2009
11:45 am
Enter your comments here
Rhonda Atlanta
September 7th, 2009
11:46 am
amen Jim !!!!
Terry Miller
September 7th, 2009
12:13 pm
Jeff Chapman is the type of Republican we had in mind when some of us native Georgians worked long and hard (about 40 years or so) to have two-party government in this state. And then the Republicans (some of whom are ex-Democrats, such as Sonny Perdue) got to be as corrupt as the Democrats!! I’m voting for Jeff Chapman —- a person of integrity without a doubt. I hope he beats the fat cats, and I intend to help him all I can!!! To go against the Reynolds, against Georgia Power, against his own party leadership!!?? What more can we ask!!
Howard Sculthorpe
September 7th, 2009
12:46 pm
Who of the other 6 candidates has shown the moral integrity and courage to stand up to the steam-rollering, power hungry leaders of his party? Who of them has shown the ability to read a situation in terms of what’s right for the people of Georgia? Chapman’s stand on issues such as the Georgia Power money grab, the Reynolds rape of Jekyll Island and eminent domain show leadership and integrity well above the crowd. Let’s hope he gets the money and statewide recognition he needs to get elected!
Adam Smith
September 7th, 2009
12:52 pm
Of late, too many Georgia Republicans in Legislature have forgotten what makes capitalism work. It is not the business that can use the government to lock out the competition (a monopoly like Georgia Power or a development company that ‘competes’ by buying off politicians with contributions or freebies), it is the business on a level playing field that provides the best deal at the lowest price.
Karen Brown
September 7th, 2009
1:21 pm
Jeff Chapman represents a coastal district, but his efforts have been to save Jekyll Island State Park for ALL the people in Georgia. It would have been so easy just to sit back and let Linger Longer happen. But he worked hard for the average Georgia citizen.
Mae
September 7th, 2009
1:58 pm
Governor Chapman has a great ring to it especially considering we KNOW what we are getting when he is elected. He is the “real deal” and he will continue to stand for his convictions…these words say it all. “I don’t fear not getting elected. What I do fear is knowing what’s right, and not doing it.” I guess Eric Johnson wasn’t thinking along those lines when he picked Jamie Reynolds to be his campaign finance chair!
I am a democrat who is voting for Jeff Chapman because of his ideals and I will work hard to see that he is elected.
Ron
September 7th, 2009
2:14 pm
Chapman seems to have a lot of fans but will they come forward in large numbers to support his campaign? With so many people turned off by Georgia politics and by the lack of professionalism in our state government, he may end up being a victim of public apathy created by revulsion over the very kind of insider politics that he has fought against. It is possible, I suppose, that his unique appeal as a gubernatorial candidate could cause people who’ve been turned off by the good ol’ boy system of politics to return to the public square, but for this to happen he will have to first reach those people, which will take money, money, money – a commodity that he’ll probably be short on, given the unlikelihood of big money interests sending any funds his way.
Mae
September 7th, 2009
3:23 pm
For those of you who have been wondering if there were any other Republicans who had the nerve to oppose Georgia Power and their lobbyists with SB31, Jeff Chapman and Preston Smith were the only 2 senators with the backbone to do so.
AJC has a complete list of the vote at
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/stories/2009/03/01/georgia_power_legislature.html%3Fcxntlid%3Dhomepage_tab_newstab&imw%3DY
clyde
September 7th, 2009
5:46 pm
Clyde doesn’t smoke.
Will,
I thought Chapman was fighting against false profits.
The paying in advance for nuclear power may be considered looking toward the future.
Susan Evans
September 7th, 2009
5:47 pm
Senator Chapman stands for what I stand for—honor and doing the right thing. Dishonesty has been a sore spot with me my whole life. I see the news on TV and read the newspapers. It is apparent that corruption is going on in our State and Federal Government. Nowadays many of the candidates are selected just so that they can be the frontman for the wealthy. So that the wealthy can take what they want and do what they want and get away with it. It seems that they hand pick the candidates and then make sure that they are showered with lots of campaign contributions. Then if the candidates are elected the candidates are willing to repay favors and share in a big piece of the pie.
Jeff Chapman is a good man. He is the kind of man that can’t be bought and he will do what is right for Georgia and for all of its citizens. How often do you meet a government official that You can say that about? I say not very often!!!
Senator Chapman has stood up against Linger Longer and Georgia Power not because he had to but because he knew that it was the right thing to do. I will vote for Senator Chapman and I will stand proudly beside him knowing that he will do the right thing for me and for all the people of Georgia. Not for just a chosen few. So if you are one of those people that understands corruption and loves eating it for breakfast every morning. Jeff Chapman is not your man. But if you want change and you want someone who will govern this state with honor and do the right thing. VOTE FOR JEFF CHAPMAN!!!
JD
September 7th, 2009
5:57 pm
When I read the following statement, “I don’t fear not getting elected. What I do fear is knowing what’s right, and not doing it,” I realized that Chapman is in this race for one reason only, and that is to do the right thing. Win or lose, this is a man whose candidacy will have a positive impact on the state. Chapman has consistently demonstrated that not only is he unafraid of defeat, he is also unafraid of getting beat up, and by his own party, because he stands up for his convictions rather than tow the party line. Those of us who have been privileged to spend time around this man know that he is unequivocally the real deal. Jeff Chapman’s ethics cannot be compromised, and precisely because he is willing to “raise uncomfortable questions,” his race for Governor will be a victory for the people of Georgia, whatever the outcome. What more could we possibly expect from a dedicated public servant? Thanks, Jeff, for your courage and your commitment. Now it’s up to the rest of us to do the right thing and VOTE FOR CHAPMAN!
janie Hopwood
September 7th, 2009
6:28 pm
Senator Chapman has a quality that I most admire. He actually listens to what people, not lobbyist people but regular people, say. He doesn’t interrupt and tell you why what you are saying is impossible, or tell you never to talk to him again because he doesn’t agree with you. He just listens. What a novel characteristic.
I am sure I want to hear more about his ideas and I have seen first hand that he will listen to mine.
Sandra Hamel
September 7th, 2009
7:22 pm
Finally! A Republican I look forward to voting for. Senator Jeff Chapman has no ties to “special interests”; and. is a proven “independent thinker” when it comes to voting for what is best for the people of Georgia.
Since the Senator has apparently given little thought to organization and fund-raising, maybe we can help. How refreshing it would be if he were to become “The people’s hand picked candidate”. We already know that, as governor, he would only be working for us.
We might not, individually, be able to make a large campaign contribution; but, if we can make sure he is showered with lots of smaller campaign contributions…..that could make a difference.
Would someone please let us know how to contribute to his campaign in any way we are able.
Thank you, Senator Chapman, for giving the people of Georgia the opportunity to vote for a candidate with such integrity.
Marilyn
September 7th, 2009
8:09 pm
The state of Georgia needs a governor who will listen to the needs and wants of all the people of the state, not just the rich and powerful. He cares about the long term future of the people and the environment. Senator Chapman is just the right person to do the job.
Ed
September 7th, 2009
9:10 pm
Eric Johnson, while in a fiduciary position to the citizens of Georgia on the Jekyll Island Advisory Board, was instrumental in the choice of Linger Longer as the developer selected by the Jekyll Island Authority to privatize Jekyll Island State Park. This contract yielded a direct benefit to Jamie Reynolds, owner of Linger Longer, worth millions, and potentially hundreds of millions of dollars. Jamie Reynolds is now Eric Johnson’s finance chair. How can such a relationship be anything but an outright conflict of interest and ethical violation?
Tom
September 7th, 2009
9:35 pm
This independent will certainly support and vote for Jeff Chapman.
Allen
September 7th, 2009
10:11 pm
You know, this title really belongs on the thread about Oxendine
ScienceTeacher671
September 7th, 2009
11:09 pm
Mr. Galloway, how can you possibly call someone who follows his conscience and principles “morally reckless”? That does not even make sense.
Ostrich Racer
September 7th, 2009
11:33 pm
If Chapman’s in the race, he has my vote. I’ve had it with the Reynolds crowd and their annointed candidates. Chapman versus Barnes would make an interesting contest.
Al Tate
September 8th, 2009
12:29 am
A big “Thank You” to Jim Galloway for calling attention to Jeff Chapman’ bid for Governor. The Republican Party leaders seem hell-bent toward leading the party over a cliff of ideological purity with their rhetoric. Meanwhile they are abusing their power and lining their pockets at the expense of ordinary Georgians with secret mega-deals in the back rooms. Jeff Chapman is different. He is a thoughtful conservative with a practical mind and the interest of the people at heart. He should become the future of the Republican Party if he can only get his message out. Go Jeff!… and please keep on working to protect Jekyll Island.
Janisse
September 8th, 2009
7:03 am
The only reason I’m sad about Jeff Chapman running for Governor is because I’ll have to vote for a Republican, which I vowed I would never do. He’s my man. He really proved himself to me when he recognized the Jekyll takeover as the criminal act that it was, and went to bat for an island that all of us are supposed to own, but which would have lined the pockets of a couple of wealthy Republican-Party backers.
Sen. Chapman, if you are reading this, I wish you all the best. I’ll send you money. I’ll work for you. I’d be proud to call you Governor one day. And when you get to the mansion, I want to be your Poet Laureate!
Rhonda Atlanta
September 8th, 2009
7:24 am
Jeff really isn’t a Republican or a Democrat. He is a logical honest man.
Lee in S. GA
September 8th, 2009
9:24 am
Maybe Jeff ought to consider running as an independent…do we really think the GOP establishment in GA will do anything at all to help him?
Sometimes windmills should be chased. — Peach Pundit
September 8th, 2009
10:55 am
[...] Galloway has an interesting article about the GOP’s newest Gubernatorial candidate, Senator Jeff Chapman. Chapman preaches a [...]
Marcia
September 8th, 2009
1:21 pm
I was so happy to read that Jeff Chapman is running. I am also a Republican who protests government relationships with private businesses in my hometown. We are told to be good stewards of our land and Chapman is not against growth-just unhealthy growth. I agree with Ed’s description of the Eric Johnson- Jamie Reynolds connection. How is this beneficial to Georgians?
Johnson is Perdue Part 2.
flipped
September 8th, 2009
7:06 pm
We need a man like Chapman to take the office of Governor. I’ve followed him for the past 4 years on the Jekyll / Linger Longer folly and he never wavered. He has consistently taken the high road and has left his “party” for the people. Too bad he’s running on the Republican ticket. The Republicans of today have taken the stance of yesterdays Dems. God only knows where the Dems are these days. Way far left and drowning in the Koolaid?
Roberta Sedam
September 8th, 2009
10:18 pm
I am so delighted that Senator Chapman is running for Governor. As other comments have stated he is a man of principle and a real public servent. What hasn’t been mentioned so far is his ability to cut to the heart of the problem. I witnessed when I heard him speak in a public meeting with Linger Longer. He knows the right qestions to persue and he persues them with intelligence and perserverance. He has high ideals and he also knows how to get things done. I have watched him fight and WIN when up against very powerful adversaries. These are challenging times we are in. We can’t afford waste of our financial, environmental or people resources. Governor Chapman would be a man for our times.
Roberta Sedam
September 8th, 2009
10:28 pm
I have watched Senator Chapman in a meeting with Linger Longer, the company that was awarded a contract to develop Jekyll Island. Senator Chapman brought up the most piercing and to the point questions. He has an ability to cut through the superfluous and get to the heart of the conflict. His intelligence and perserverance in tackling a problem are impressive. His ideals are high but he also knows how to WIN. In these challenging times when we cannot afford to waste our financial, environmental and people resources, we would be very well served to have Jeff Chapman as our Governor.