Archive for the ‘2012 redistricting’ Category

So far as we know, Bob Barr hasn’t yet decide whether to challenge U.S. Rep. Tom Graves of Ranger in a Republican primary fight for the 14th Congressional District.

But somebody out there is already trying to help the 2008 Libertarian presidential candidate make up his mind – with a quick bit of opposition research that prophesies that a challenge to Graves would quickly devolve into a brawl over immigration and gay marriage.

We don’t know the author, but you can examine the sheet by clicking here. It accuses Barr, a former Georgia congressman, of registering as a lobbyist for the ACLU, and – in 2008, as a Libertarian – of openly campaigning against GOP presidential nominee John McCain.

Let us just say that, given the way that McCain is viewed by many grassroots Republicans in Georgia, that last point may be somewhat insincere.

Among sheet’s main arguments:

Bob Barr opposed H.B. 87, Georgia’s tough new illegal immigration law

– Barr claims that Georgia’s [tough] new illegal …

Continue reading A warning to Bob Barr: Brawls over illegal immigration and gay marriage loom »

With several glowing polls at his back, GOP presidential candidate and Georgia entrepreneur Herman Cain apparently thinks its time for his home state’s Republican leadership to take him more seriously. From Politico.com:

Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-Ga.) [said] that Cain – the former Godfather’s Pizza executive who’s been near the top of recent national polls – is coming to meet with fellow Georgia Republicans next Wednesday in his Cannon office.

“I’m looking forward to that opportunity,” said Gingrey, who is already endorsing Newt Gingrich. To date, Cain has not earned any endorsements in Congress.

While he scores well with local tea partyers, Cain has yet to obtain any endorsements from ranking leaders of the Georgia GOP. In addition to Gingrey, Gov. Nathan Deal and U.S. Reps. Jack Kingston of Savannah, Tom Price of Roswell, and Austin Scott of Tifton are still with Gingrich, the former U.S. House speaker. Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle has declared himself a fan of Texas Gov. Rick …

Continue reading Your morning jolt: Herman Cain courts Georgia congressmen »

A third Republican formally entered the 12th District congressional race on Wednesday – carrying a good-looking resume and an endorsement that may have some punch.

12th District GOP candidate Wright McLeod

Wright McLeod, an Augusta real estate attorney, on Tuesday filed his federal paperwork to begin fundraising for the right to challenge U.S. Rep. John Barrow, D-Savannah.

McLeod, a native of the area, is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Acdemy who flew F-14 Tomcats for 20 years, including 38 combat missions during Operation Desert Storm – the invasion of Iraq organized by George H.W. Bush. He’s also got a UGA law degree, and a masters in national securities studies from Georgetown University.

McLeod also has the endorsement of Gloria Norwood, wife of the late U.S. Rep. Charlie Norwood of Augusta. Which matters in east Georgia.

A statement by Gloria Norwood from McLeod’s nascent campaign:

“Wright embodies what it means to serve our country,” stated Mrs. Norwood. “I have known …

Continue reading Wright McLeod becomes third GOP candidate in 12th District »

In trying to find a simpler, more humane way to raise campaign funds in Washington, U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland, R-Coweta County, may have stirred up a hornet’s nest.

It all started, the congressman said last night, with a fundraiser at a Keith Urban concert in Washington. Many of his supporters bought tickets and attended – but Westmoreland couldn’t. House votes kept him in the Capitol.

Westmoreland thought it rude of himself not to attend the party that he hosted.

The congressman usually invites lobbyists, representatives of political action committees and other walleted individuals to several such events each quarter. As does virtually every other member of Congress. “Half of them get up, don’t even finish eating, because they’re going to another one,” he said.

So Westmoreland penned an e-mail to donors this week that was picked up by the National Journal. Wrote the Georgia congressman:

I recognize that you have a life outside of politics – family, friends, and home. I am …

Continue reading Lynn Westmoreland: E-mail wasn’t offer of face time for cash »

The Republican race to oust U.S. Rep. John Barrow, the Savannah Democrat, may soon have a third candidate.

Maria Sheffield, who lost a hard-fought primary runoff for state insurance commissioner last year, says she’s contemplating a move to southeast Georgia to make the race.

Sheffield says she “has been approached by business, community, government, tea party and Republican leaders” to enter the contest. Two other Republicans, state Rep. Lee Anderson of Grovetown and Augusta businessman Rick Allen, have already announced.

Some of you might remember that Sheffield is a resident of Mableton in Cobb County. She sends this explanation via her spokeswoman, Kathryn Ballou:

”My family – the Sheffield family – has long and deep roots in this special part of Georgia. For many years my father lived in Laurens County. Many of my family members still live in Laurens.

“The interesting fact is that my potential opponent is from Athens and lives in Savannah – neither of which is in the …

Continue reading Maria Sheffield considers a move to south Georgia for 12th District contest »

Last week, we heard that former Georgia congressman and Libertarian candidate for president Bob Barr was considering a Republican challenge to U.S. Rep. Tom Graves of Ranger.

It was good information, but we could never track Barr himself down to confirm the report. However, Steven Nelson at the Daily Caller in Washington just did:

Barr [said] “some supporters are encouraging me” to run for Congress in 2012. He noted that because of redistricting, “much of the new 14th District was part of my old 7th District.”

Barr, who lost his congressional seat in 2002, is a Cobb County resident. The 14th District drifts from far north Georgia down to next-door Paulding County.

Barr told the DC that no decision had been made yet.

- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider

For instant updates, follow me on Twitter, or connect with me on Facebook.

Continue reading Bob Barr confirms he’s considering a return to Congress »

The campaign of Gainesville radio talk show host Martha Zoller this morning is showing off an internal poll and an argument that – despite lagging in fundraising – she should be considered the frontrunner in the Republican race for the new 9th Congressional District.

According to campaign contribution reports completed Sept. 30, state Rep. Doug Collins of Gainesville has $112,000 on hand for the race. Zoller will report roughly $30,000.

But her campaign says cash doesn’t tell the whole tale. Read the poll memo from the Zoller campaign here. Among its points:

– One third (32%) of [GOP] primary voters back Zoller on the ballot, compared to 20% who are supporting Collins (46% undecided, 2% refused).

– Again, Zoller performs well among core primary voting groups including tea party supporters (37% Zoller – 17% Collins), very conservative voters (37% Zoller – 24% Collins), and seniors (37% Zoller – 21% Collins).

– Zoller is up big in Hall County, leading by 19 points there (47% …

Continue reading Martha Zoller declares herself front-runner in race for 9th CD »

Federal campaign reports have begun to trickle in, bringing with them an outline of next year’s congressional primaries.

The 9th District congressional campaign of Doug Collins, the state lawmaker from Gainesville, reports raising $114,235 as of Sept. 30, with only slightly less on hand. Seventy-five percent of the cash came from within the northeast Georgia district.

The report from Gainesville radio talk show host Martha Zoller has yet to pop up – but her strategist, Joel McElhannon, says the campaign will report about $30,000 raised.

Collins, as you know, has strong links to both Gov. Nathan Deal and House Speaker David Ralston. Zoller has courted the tea party crowd. But the dynamics of the race may be about to change.

We’re hearing that Hunter Bicknell, chairman of the Jackson County Commission, is giving some thought to entering the race, with the object of capturing the non-Hall County vote. From the county’s web site:

A graduate of Georgia State University, Hunter …

Continue reading Your morning jolt: 9th District race for Congress may be about to grow »

From the GOP grapevine: Former Libertarian presidential candidate Bob Barr has told friends that he’s contemplating an attempted return to Congress – and a return to the Republican fold.

Barr, a longtime resident of Cobb County, would challenge U.S. Rep. Tom Graves, R-Ranger – a tea party favorite. In August, the Legislature redrew Graves’ district to include heavily populated Floyd and Paulding counties – which now make up 38 percent of the electorate.

Barr has told acquaintances that he would move to Paulding. We put a call into his office this morning, but have not heard back. However, Barr has a Saturday, Oct. 22 appearance before a Paulding County tea party group called “We The People.”

Barr has been out of Congress for nearly a decade. After his district was injected with a substantial number of Democrats in 2001, the four-term Barr decided to challenge U.S. Rep. John Linder, R-Duluth, in an August 2002 primary. Barr lost.

Phil Gingrey, R-Marietta, stepped into Barr’s …

Continue reading Bob Barr contemplating a run against Tom Graves – and a return to Congress? »

Campaign checks and the records they generate can be inconvenient things.
Earlier this week, Bill Simon of Marietta, a Republican activist who operates the Political Vine blog, sent out word that the newest GOP candidate in the race to oust U.S. Rep. John Barrow, R-Savannah, had committed a grievous sin.

Ten years ago, Augusta contractor Rick Allen wrote a $1,000 check to the congressional campaign Democrat Charles “Champ” Walker Jr., who was running against Burns, a Republican and a professor at Georgia Southern University. Burns won the ‘02 contest.

“It was a mistake. If he had it to do over again, he wouldn’t have done it,” conceded Allen’s political strategist, Chip Lake, on Tuesday night.

Lake said would prove his conservative credentials in meetings with voters over the next nine months.

But that check is likely to reverberate. Champ Walker is the son of former Senate majority leader Charles Walker, who was a force in Augusta much disliked by Republicans, until he was …

Continue reading Your morning jolt: For John Barrow opponent, an inconvenient check »