Former president James E. "Jimmy" Carter's granson Jason Carter has won a senate seat to the Georgia State Senate as he trounced the opposition garnering 66% of the vote, replacing David Adelman who was named ambassador to singapore earlier this year.
Jason Carter became the first in his family to win elected office since his grandfather took the White House three decadesa go. The district is heavily Democratic and Jimmy Carter is still a popular figure among some Georgia Democrats. The elder Carter served two terms in the Georgia Senate before becoming the state's governor in 1971.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Teilhet Gets endorsements from Macon & Columbus Area Leaders
State Representative James "Bubber" Epps (D-Dry Branch), ex-State Rep. Robert Ray (D-Fort Valley) & Democratic Activist Amy Morton all have endorsed Rob Teilhet for State Attorney General.
Here's the press release:
These influential leaders join other Macon supporters of Rob Teilhet including, Macon City Council President Miriam Lucas Paris, City Councilwoman Lauren Benedict and State Representative Nikki Randall (HD 138, Macon.)
“It’s truly been an honor to receive the support by these great middle Georgia leaders,” said Rep. Rob Teilhet. “My supporters know that Georgia needs a strong leader in the office of Attorney General. The Attorney General is so much more than a lawyer prosecuting criminals after a crime has been committed. The Attorney General should be a leader who can create good public policy and offer real solutions that will prevent crime from happening in the first place.”
Today’s endorsement adds to the campaign’s growing list which includes endorsements from the IBEW Local 613, former legislator and U.S. Senate candidate Jim Martin, Muscogee County Marshal Greg Countryman, DeKalb Solicitor General Robert James, Civil Rights Leaders Representative Tyrone Brooks and Elder Bill Harris, both the current and immediate past Chairmen of the Legislative Black Caucus, Senator Emanuel Jones and Representative Al Williams, eight Democratic State Senators, and over forty current and former Democratic members of the House of Representatives.
And also over in Columbus, he gets the endorsement of State Reps. Carolyn Hughley (D-Columbus), Debbie Buckner (D-Junction City) & Mike Cheokas (D-Americus)
They join endorsers Muscogee County Marshall Greg Countryman, who announced his support last week & former Columbus area State Representative Tom Buck (D-Columbus).
Here's the press release:
These influential leaders join other Macon supporters of Rob Teilhet including, Macon City Council President Miriam Lucas Paris, City Councilwoman Lauren Benedict and State Representative Nikki Randall (HD 138, Macon.)
“It’s truly been an honor to receive the support by these great middle Georgia leaders,” said Rep. Rob Teilhet. “My supporters know that Georgia needs a strong leader in the office of Attorney General. The Attorney General is so much more than a lawyer prosecuting criminals after a crime has been committed. The Attorney General should be a leader who can create good public policy and offer real solutions that will prevent crime from happening in the first place.”
Today’s endorsement adds to the campaign’s growing list which includes endorsements from the IBEW Local 613, former legislator and U.S. Senate candidate Jim Martin, Muscogee County Marshal Greg Countryman, DeKalb Solicitor General Robert James, Civil Rights Leaders Representative Tyrone Brooks and Elder Bill Harris, both the current and immediate past Chairmen of the Legislative Black Caucus, Senator Emanuel Jones and Representative Al Williams, eight Democratic State Senators, and over forty current and former Democratic members of the House of Representatives.
And also over in Columbus, he gets the endorsement of State Reps. Carolyn Hughley (D-Columbus), Debbie Buckner (D-Junction City) & Mike Cheokas (D-Americus)
They join endorsers Muscogee County Marshall Greg Countryman, who announced his support last week & former Columbus area State Representative Tom Buck (D-Columbus).
Georgia NAACP Out to Get Ken Hodges Before the Primary?
The Georgia State NAACP, Columbus NAACP, Grassroots Unity Movement for Change, and others will hold a news conference Tuesday May 11, 2010 at the Columbus Government Center.
The NAACP news conference will take place immediately after the Ken Hodges for Attorney General Campaign’s press conference to kick off his campaign. Ken Hodges is supposed to be in Columbus at 12:00 noon. He will be in Atlanta at 9am and Macon at 3pm after leaving Columbus. There is a letter attached herein that has gone forward to those cities and more cities to come.
President Edward O. Dubose will be addressing the subject of Ken Hodges coming into the very community he failed and robbed of justice subsequent to the December 10, 2003 shooting and killing of an unarmed African American male with an Mp5 submachine gun by a Muscogee County Sheriff’s deputy while face down in the southbound lane of I-185. Kenneth Brian Walker was shot twice in the head and later died. Ken Hodges on November 23, 2004 failed to secure a grand jury indictment, failed to recommend the grand jury return a True bill in the homicide death of a human being, and allowed former Deputy David Glisson to give unsworn testimony at grand jury by neglecting to administer the oath. Subsequently Ken Hodges failed to convene a second grand jury in the Walker case when Attorney General Thurbert Baker made it perfectly clear the decision was Ken Hodges’ to make. Ken Hodges justified not convening a second grand jury claiming there had to be new evidence in the case. Hodges’ never produced any law, statue, or code supporting his claim or the requirement for new evidence. The shooter in the death of Kenneth Walker never faced a judge or jury in a criminal trial.
Here's more:
Georgia Primary voters should acquaint themselves with the December 10, 2003 story of an unarmed African American male shot and killed in the southbound lane of I-185 in Columbus, Georgia by a Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office deputy. The 39 year old victim was shot twice in the head with a 9mm MP5 submachine gun. Dougherty County DA Ken Hodges was appointed to handle the case by Georgia Attorney General Thurbert Baker. Kenneth Brian Walker, the victim, was the only son of Emily Walker and the husband of Cheryl Walker. He was a good father of a 4 year old daughter. He came from a good family. He had a good job, a good education, and was a good family man living in good middle class neighborhood. He was a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity. However, with all those character assets in Kenneth Walker’s favor as a victim of violent death at the hands of another, on November 23, 2004 Ken Hodges failed to secure a criminal indictment for either felony murder or involuntary manslaughter from a Muscogee County grand jury. Thereafter, the citizens of Columbus learned Ken Hodges allowed the shooter, a former deputy at the time of grand jury, to testify at grand jury without bothering to swear in the witness or place the witness under oath. Further investigation revealed to the public that Prosecutor Pro Tem Ken Hodges failed in this homicide case to make recommendation that the grand jury return a True Bill so the matter would at least go forward to trial before a judge and a jury.
Civil rights groups and many concerned citizens from the African American community appealed to Ken Hodges to bring a second grand jury. Attorney General Baker left the decision entirely up to Ken Hodges. A second grand jury was never convened in the homicide death of Kenneth Walker at the hands of Deputy David Glisson. Ken Hodges admitted to the family he had made a mistake by not swearing in the former deputy. There are accounts that Ken Hodges said he would certainly bring a second grand jury. Subsequent to any statement that he would bring a second grand jury in the case, Ken Hodges reneged on his word and later publicly claimed that he would only bring a second grand jury if there was new evidence to present. The requirement for “new evidence” to convene a second grand jury was never supported by any Georgia law ever presented by Ken Hodges to a family and city both stricken with sorrow and shock over the shooting death of Kenneth B. Walker. The new evidence requirement was simply a self-imposed standard to justify not bringing a second grand jury in the Walker case. It could just as easily have been a clever stratagem and the very calculated decision of a politician with personal aspirations for higher office in the future. Whatever the case, there was no second grand jury convened by the special prosecutor.
Presently, Ken Hodges wants to be the Democratic nominee for Georgia State Attorney General. Regrettably, he has secured endorsements from such noted figures as former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young and former Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears, which only adds to the psychological pain, emotional anguish, and terrible disappointment yet felt here in Columbus by the Walker family and tens of thousands of other citizens across Georgia. Ken Hodges’ grand jury blunders or oversights betrayed a seriously wounded city that was crying out for justice and clinging to hope, but justice was denied our hope trampled and crushed. We were stabbed straight through the heart. When he did not secure a simple grand jury indictment in the homicide of an unarmed citizen, made no recommendation in the matter, allowed the trigger man to give unsworn testimony, and, to add insult to injury, refused to convene a second grand jury when it was in his immediate power to do so, Kenneth B. Hodges III actually then failed all Georgians on the justice front. Georgia Senate Bill 313 pertaining to unsworn grand jury testimony this year passed the Georgia Senate 53-0 and the Georgia House of Representatives150-0. It will go on to be signed into law by Governor Sonny Perdue. Georgia Democrats should remember when they cast their votes in the July 20th Democratic Primary that under Ken Hodges and on his watch, there was no justice for Kenneth B. Walker or his family. Ken Hodges failed the people in a quest for justice in a very high profile case. His failure should not be rewarded with an opportunity to serve in higher elected office when the other Democratic candidate is well-suited to be elected and highly capable of serving as Georgia’s next State Attorney General.
The NAACP news conference will take place immediately after the Ken Hodges for Attorney General Campaign’s press conference to kick off his campaign. Ken Hodges is supposed to be in Columbus at 12:00 noon. He will be in Atlanta at 9am and Macon at 3pm after leaving Columbus. There is a letter attached herein that has gone forward to those cities and more cities to come.
President Edward O. Dubose will be addressing the subject of Ken Hodges coming into the very community he failed and robbed of justice subsequent to the December 10, 2003 shooting and killing of an unarmed African American male with an Mp5 submachine gun by a Muscogee County Sheriff’s deputy while face down in the southbound lane of I-185. Kenneth Brian Walker was shot twice in the head and later died. Ken Hodges on November 23, 2004 failed to secure a grand jury indictment, failed to recommend the grand jury return a True bill in the homicide death of a human being, and allowed former Deputy David Glisson to give unsworn testimony at grand jury by neglecting to administer the oath. Subsequently Ken Hodges failed to convene a second grand jury in the Walker case when Attorney General Thurbert Baker made it perfectly clear the decision was Ken Hodges’ to make. Ken Hodges justified not convening a second grand jury claiming there had to be new evidence in the case. Hodges’ never produced any law, statue, or code supporting his claim or the requirement for new evidence. The shooter in the death of Kenneth Walker never faced a judge or jury in a criminal trial.
Here's more:
Georgia Primary voters should acquaint themselves with the December 10, 2003 story of an unarmed African American male shot and killed in the southbound lane of I-185 in Columbus, Georgia by a Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office deputy. The 39 year old victim was shot twice in the head with a 9mm MP5 submachine gun. Dougherty County DA Ken Hodges was appointed to handle the case by Georgia Attorney General Thurbert Baker. Kenneth Brian Walker, the victim, was the only son of Emily Walker and the husband of Cheryl Walker. He was a good father of a 4 year old daughter. He came from a good family. He had a good job, a good education, and was a good family man living in good middle class neighborhood. He was a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity. However, with all those character assets in Kenneth Walker’s favor as a victim of violent death at the hands of another, on November 23, 2004 Ken Hodges failed to secure a criminal indictment for either felony murder or involuntary manslaughter from a Muscogee County grand jury. Thereafter, the citizens of Columbus learned Ken Hodges allowed the shooter, a former deputy at the time of grand jury, to testify at grand jury without bothering to swear in the witness or place the witness under oath. Further investigation revealed to the public that Prosecutor Pro Tem Ken Hodges failed in this homicide case to make recommendation that the grand jury return a True Bill so the matter would at least go forward to trial before a judge and a jury.
Civil rights groups and many concerned citizens from the African American community appealed to Ken Hodges to bring a second grand jury. Attorney General Baker left the decision entirely up to Ken Hodges. A second grand jury was never convened in the homicide death of Kenneth Walker at the hands of Deputy David Glisson. Ken Hodges admitted to the family he had made a mistake by not swearing in the former deputy. There are accounts that Ken Hodges said he would certainly bring a second grand jury. Subsequent to any statement that he would bring a second grand jury in the case, Ken Hodges reneged on his word and later publicly claimed that he would only bring a second grand jury if there was new evidence to present. The requirement for “new evidence” to convene a second grand jury was never supported by any Georgia law ever presented by Ken Hodges to a family and city both stricken with sorrow and shock over the shooting death of Kenneth B. Walker. The new evidence requirement was simply a self-imposed standard to justify not bringing a second grand jury in the Walker case. It could just as easily have been a clever stratagem and the very calculated decision of a politician with personal aspirations for higher office in the future. Whatever the case, there was no second grand jury convened by the special prosecutor.
Presently, Ken Hodges wants to be the Democratic nominee for Georgia State Attorney General. Regrettably, he has secured endorsements from such noted figures as former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young and former Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears, which only adds to the psychological pain, emotional anguish, and terrible disappointment yet felt here in Columbus by the Walker family and tens of thousands of other citizens across Georgia. Ken Hodges’ grand jury blunders or oversights betrayed a seriously wounded city that was crying out for justice and clinging to hope, but justice was denied our hope trampled and crushed. We were stabbed straight through the heart. When he did not secure a simple grand jury indictment in the homicide of an unarmed citizen, made no recommendation in the matter, allowed the trigger man to give unsworn testimony, and, to add insult to injury, refused to convene a second grand jury when it was in his immediate power to do so, Kenneth B. Hodges III actually then failed all Georgians on the justice front. Georgia Senate Bill 313 pertaining to unsworn grand jury testimony this year passed the Georgia Senate 53-0 and the Georgia House of Representatives150-0. It will go on to be signed into law by Governor Sonny Perdue. Georgia Democrats should remember when they cast their votes in the July 20th Democratic Primary that under Ken Hodges and on his watch, there was no justice for Kenneth B. Walker or his family. Ken Hodges failed the people in a quest for justice in a very high profile case. His failure should not be rewarded with an opportunity to serve in higher elected office when the other Democratic candidate is well-suited to be elected and highly capable of serving as Georgia’s next State Attorney General.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Hicks Endorses Brian Westlake for State School Superintendent
From Westlake Campaign on May 7:
Past Georgia Association of Educators President (GAE) Charlie Hicks added his name to the growing list of people endorsing Brian Westlake for State School Superintendent.
Regarded as a legend by many GAE members, Mr. Hicks was a leading voice during the merger of two racially segregated teachers organizations in order to create GAE in 1970.
After the merger, Mr. Hicks went on to serve as the president of the new association. He has remained an active member of GAE and has this to say about Westlake," I have observed Brian Westlake over a period of years. I feel that he is a sincere person with great potential and will serve well as State School Superintendent of our great state of Georgia. I am pleased to support Brian and endorse him."
Mr. Hicks is the third past president of GAE to endorse Brian as he seeks the Democratic nomination for State School Superintendent.
"I am humbled by such kind words from someone who has done so much to improve the lives of so many Georgians. I am inspired by individuals like Charlie Hicks who selflessly laid a solid foundation upon which we must continue to build a bright future for generations to come," replied Westlake.
Past Georgia Association of Educators President (GAE) Charlie Hicks added his name to the growing list of people endorsing Brian Westlake for State School Superintendent.
Regarded as a legend by many GAE members, Mr. Hicks was a leading voice during the merger of two racially segregated teachers organizations in order to create GAE in 1970.
After the merger, Mr. Hicks went on to serve as the president of the new association. He has remained an active member of GAE and has this to say about Westlake," I have observed Brian Westlake over a period of years. I feel that he is a sincere person with great potential and will serve well as State School Superintendent of our great state of Georgia. I am pleased to support Brian and endorse him."
Mr. Hicks is the third past president of GAE to endorse Brian as he seeks the Democratic nomination for State School Superintendent.
"I am humbled by such kind words from someone who has done so much to improve the lives of so many Georgians. I am inspired by individuals like Charlie Hicks who selflessly laid a solid foundation upon which we must continue to build a bright future for generations to come," replied Westlake.
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