As many of you may already know, incumbent Senator Saxby Chambliss decided against running for re-election in 2014 due to frustrations he has with Washington. That decision has many Georgia republicans taking a long look at that seat including Jack Kingston, Phil Gingrey, Paul Broun (who already announced his entry) & possibly other GOPers as well. On the democratic, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed said no, as did former congressman Jim Marshall. Michelle Nunn is a possibility, as is Congressman John Barrow, but Barrow maybe the democrat's best hope for winning that seat & if there's anyone who can pull it off, its John J. Barrow
Georgia's 12th District Congressman John Barrow (D-Augusta) is not your typical democrat. He's one of the last remaining rural, conservative democrats left in the south who knows what it takes to win tough elections. If Barrow does decide to throw his hat into the U.S. Senate race in 2014, his chances of winning are pretty good. One huge advantage Barrow have over a Paul Broun, a Jack Kingston, a Phil Gingrey, a Tom Price....or any other potential Republican candidate is that he's battled tested. Neither of the people mentioned have never been involved in a tough, drag 'em out political campaigns. All hail from very safe, gerrymandered congressional districts where they have either gone unopposed or faced first time, very weak democratic opponents, as where Barrow has faced tough competition from his left (Regina Thomas) in the democratic primary & to his right, republican Max Burns in the general election.
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| Rural Dem. John Barrow (D-Augusta) |
Barrow is best suited for a general election, not a primary, which would be his biggest problem where democrats nationally have moved even further to the left since the 2012 elections. The majority of Barrow's positions are not in line with today's Democratic Party. Democrats want a liberal, staunch president Obama supporter to be their candidate in 2014, but guess what, that kind of candidate doesn't stand a chance of winning here in the peach state next year.
Barrow is a old school, pro-business democrat who is a tough, savvy campaigner who has appeal across party lines, which a democrat will need if he or she wants to win statewide. Now personally, I prefer Barrow to remain in the 12th where I believe he can stay for long time regardless how the district been drawn. Now if Barrow were to run, then you have to find someone to run for the dems. Former State Senator & current Southern District of Georgia Attorney General Ed Tarver is said to be interested in the seat if Barrow makes the jump according to Jim Galloway of the AJC. Another possible candidate comes to mind is current Augusta Mayor Deke Coperhaver, who's independent status would make him a strong candidate in the 12th, even for the 10th Congressional District for that matter.
Other names that have been floated for the soon to be open U.S. Senate seat include former Legislative Director and Chief Counsel to U.S. Senator Sam Nunn, ex-U.S. Ambassador to Canada Gordon Giffin & Michelle Nunn, daughter of former Georgia Senator Sam Nunn. Michelle Nunn's biggest asset would be her father who was one of the most beloved politicians this state has ever produced outside of former governor Zell Miller. If she gonna finally do it, now is the right time to do so!
But if there is anyone who can pull it off in 2014 and win that senate seat, it's John Barrow. This will be one, if not the biggest decision of Barrow's political career on whether or not to seek that senate seat.
