It's not too late to look ahead to 2014 where all of Georgia's Constitutional offices will be up for grabs from Governor to State School Superintendent.
Its very possible that we could have some Statewide offices go unopposed like what happened in Louisiana because of the very thin and weak bench of prospective Democratic Candidates for office.
Let's look at the potential candidates for governor:
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| Michael Thurmond |
Ex-Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond. Thurmond was Labor Commissioner from 1998-2010. He made a ill fated attempt for the U.S. Senate in 2010, which still leaves me scratching my head as to why he would want to challenge popular Senator Johnny Isakson.
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| Jim Marshall |
Former Congressman Jim Marshall. Marshall served from 2001 to 2010 as congressman of the old 3rd & current 8th district. Marshall, a Vietnam Veteran & former Mayor of Macon would be the democrat's strongest candidate if he were to make one final run for office.
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| DuBose Porter |
Former State Rep. DuBose Porter. Porter was State Rep from 1982 to 2010 'til he left to run for governor. Porter would be the democrats second strongest candidate for governor. He hails from Conservative leaning Laurens County & his like Marshall, knows what it takes for democrats to win in rural Georgia.
Former State Rep. Rob Teilhet. Teilhet mounted a unsuccessful bid for Attorney General in 2010. Teilhet was of the democrats young rising stars in the party.
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| Ron Teilhet |
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| Thurbert Baker |
Former Attorney General Thurbert Baker. Baker, a moderate to conservative African-American Democrat could make another run for the job. Question about Baker is whether or not he has the belly..which was one of my chief concerns about him.
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| John Barrow |
***DARKHORSE Congressman John Barrow. Barrow faces a tough re-election bid in a district (12th) that now extends south into Appling, Coffee counties. I don't want to see this happen because Barrow is doing a fine job serving the folks in the 12th & should be re-elected for another term in November. But if doesn't win re-election (which I think he will) he will definitely get a serious push to run for governor. Barrow, a Conservative Democrat has a independent streak, is a fierce campaigner, a great fundraiser, appeal among African-Americans & has deep roots in Rural Georgia three things that are needed in a democratic candidate in this state
And I think its safe to say that Roy Barnes won't be running for a third time around!
Any Democratic Candidate who is eyeing a run for governor in 2014 needs to begin laying the groundwork in early 2013
1 comment:
So our best chance is rehashing folks who have already run for office and lost? We need to first build a bench throughout the state at the local level from which to pull to run for higher office. Sadly, that may mean we wont be in play for these state-wide seats by 2014. I I do think, if that bench was already in place, we could pick up a few state-wide seats in 2014. But rehashing the same folks over and over again wont get us anywhere--as much as I love some of these folks. Additionally, its really hard for a someone to run for higher office statewide when they already lost previously.
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