Among the most influential figures in state politics and government:

U.S. Sen. Zell Miller, a former governor and the state's senior senator.

	Chambliss

U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, becomes Georgia's senior senator when Miller retires in 2004.

Gov. Sonny Perdue, the first Republican governor of Georgia since Reconstruction and head of the state GOP.

Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor, a Democrat who is only nominally in charge of a Republican-controlled state Senate. As the state Democratic Party's highest-ranking member, he is often mentioned as a candidate for governor in 2006.

Senate President Pro Tem Eric Johnson of Savannah, the leader of the Republican-controlled Senate.

Speaker Terry Coleman of Eastman, leader of the state House and the most powerful Democrat in the state Capitol.

State Democratic Party Chairman Calvin Smyre, the first African-American head of a state party in Georgia.

State Republican Party Chairman Alec Poitevint of Bainbridge, who succeeded Ralph Reed this year.

	Cox

Secretary of State Cathy Cox, a Democrat mentioned as a possible candidate for governor in 2006.

House Minority Leader Lynn Westmoreland, a Republican at the core of last year's opposition to Perdue's effort to raise tobacco taxes. He's a 2004 candidate for Congress.