Carter Announces Bid For Georgia Governor

Earlier Today State Senator Jason Carter announced his entry into Georgia's Governor's Race next year.

Carter, 38 is the grandson of Former President and one time Georgia Governor James E. "Jimmy" Carter of Plains, Ga. Carter, was elected to the Georgia Senate in 2010. In his professional career, Jason is an attorney at the business litigation firm of Bondurant, Mixson & Elmore, LLP. In addition to his business practice, he has received numerous awards for his pro-bono efforts and leadership within the bar. He also served as a United States Peace Corps Volunteer in Lochiel, South Africa. He received his law degree 
summa cum laude from the University of Georgia, and received his undergraduate degree from Duke University. Jason and his wife Kate have two young sons. They live in DeKalb County.''

Carter is pledging to build a coalition of urban and rural with a focus on education and the economy. This is crucial for him as well as Michelle Nunn. The last time democrats had that coalition, they were more successful at the polls.

Carter's entry gives Democrats two top tier prospects going into 2014. Connie Stokes who first announced her run for governor will now instead seek the Lt. Governor post, which is held by Casey Cagle.

I'll have more on this later

Deke Copperhaver for Governor, 2014.....as a Democrat?

Deke Copperhaver for Governor? Sounds Good.

Deke Copperhaver as a 'Democratic Candidate" for Governor? A no-brainer in my book.

With the 2012 Elections out the way, let's look ahead to 2014. Governor Nathan Deal is up for re-election, as well as other Republican Statewide Offficers as well. So who would run against Deal two years from now? Jim Marshall? Michael Thurmond? DuBose Porter? Rob Teilhet? All are potential candidates.

Augusta Mayor Deke Copperhaver, Independent

But Independent Mayor Deke Copperhaver should be included on that list. Yes he's a Independent, I know, but why not Copperhaver. I don't know if the Mayor's post is term-limited, but he's up for re-election in 2014, same year as the governor's race. Now would he entertain a run for governor? Who knows? Can top Democratic officials in the State convince him, persuade him to run for governor as a Democrat? That's the $64,000 Question! Democrats options are very, very slim at this point. With a thin bench, now is the time to look outside the box in finding a candidate for Governor, as well as Lt. Governor, U.S. Senate, etc.

Copperhaver was elected Mayor in 2005 to serve out former Mayor Bob Young's term & has held the post since then. In 2006 & 08, he was named a notable Georgia by Georgia Trend Magazine, as well as one of Georgia's Most Influential Individuals. This year he was named by Southern Living Magazine by Southern Living Magazine as one of their Heroes of the New South.

His ability to bring people together regardless of political party or race is seen as one of his biggest assets & has reshaped public perceptions of Augusta & managed to bring thousands of jobs to Augusta. He has either served or currently sits on numerous Civic & Community Boards. Copperhaver maybe the one person who can immolate U.S. Rep. John Barrow's strategy in a statewide race, the ability to appeal to Independents, Conservatives, while keeping the base (Democratic) unified. I'm just throwing Mayor Copperhaver name out there because it's time & I've seen saying this for a couple of years now that the party change it's way of thinking & go bold. The Democratic Party like the GOP has a Demographic Problem as well, but it's major problem is more regional that demographic. Large swaths of Georgia remain unchallenged by democrats. Why is that you ask? I would tell you, but I'm tired of beating on a Dead Horse, so I'll leave that alone.

Besides Copperhaver, Jim Marshall would be a good candidate in 2014. But these are all "What Ifs". But with the well drying up for the democrats, it is time to look outside the box for a candidate.

A look Ahead To Georgia 2014 Governor's Race

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:



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.



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.

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.


Ron Teilhet



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.



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

If Bob Kerry can do it, why not Sam Nunn (for Governor in'14?)

Why Not?


If you haven't heard but former Nebraska Senator Bob Kerry will run for the seat being vacated by Conservative Democrat Ben Nelson (D-NE) in November, which was seen as a likely republican pickup in its attempt to regain control of the senate. Kerry, 68 will be making a political comeback for his old senate seat. The political environment is different now thatn it as when Kerrey left the senate, but he is still held in high regard all across Nebraska, which is a solid Red State.


Remember St. Louis Rams Head Coach Dick Vermeil, who came out of a 15 year retirement at age 61, only to lead the Ram to a Super Bowl Victory in 1999.


So I ask the question, if Bob Kerrey can do it for the U.S. Senate, Dick Vermeil can do it in the NFL, then why not Sam Nunn, no not for the U.S. Senate, but for Governor in 2014?


Yes I know Nunn would be 76 in 2014, but remember John McCain almost became president at age 72, shoot, Ron Reagan was 68 when he took the W.H. in 1980, so being president & governor are two different things.

Look, the democrats really don't have anywhere else to turn. Their bench of prospective candidates is as thin as a thread. There are only 4 candidates that could REALLY make a run at the mansion & win it: Jim Marshall, John Barrow, Michael Thurmond & Sam Nunn.

But Nunn out of all the canddiates would probably be the strongest because of his statewide electoral success. Yes Georgia has changed since 1996 & yes it has gone from being a democratic control to a GOP controlled state, but he would do well where democrats haven't done well at all here in over 12 years..Independent-Conservative, small town voters & he would do well among suburban swing voters also.


I know its a 50 to 1 odds that Nunn would even entertain the thought of coming out of retirement to run for governor, since he is the CEO of the Nuclear Threat Initiative, which is a charitable organization working to reduce the global threats from nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. But if he were to he'll be the shot in the arm Georgia Democrats need in order to get moving once again, just like Bob Kerrey who gave Nebraska Dems their shot in the arm in trying to retaining the Senate seat in November.