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DEL.ICIO.USKathy Cox wins schools super race
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A former Peachtree City teacher and state lawmaker is headed to a second four-year term as state schools chief.
Republican Kathy Cox soundly defeated former Democratic Congresswoman Denise Majette and Libertarian upstart David Chastain in Tuesday’s general election.
“I’m just very excited, very pleased with the numbers and the way the votes have turned out tonight. It just tells me that folks think we’re on the right track. Four years ago, we set out on this journey … and now I feel really good [that] the people are saying: ‘Yes, keep going.’”
Despite Majette’s surprise candidacy and a plucky platform from Chastain — an Acworth defense industry worker who said neither he nor the others were qualified for the post — the superintendent’s race attracted little attention.
Majette, a former state judge from Stone Mountain who was running her first political contest since losing a U.S. Senate race two years ago, never managed to engage Cox in a public debate about the issues. But her contributions totaled only about $42,200, which experts said gave her little ability to launch a statewide campaign. Majette could not be reached for comment.
Chastain gained some attention for his plan to change the superintendency to a political appointment for a “highly qualified professional.” But with $5,290 in campaign funds, he too, was unable to reach a majority of voters.
“That … percent that’s voting against the incumbent tells me that a lot of people are unhappy and that our education system still needs reform. As long as we continue electing school superintendents … I don’t expect much to change,” he said.
Expect Cox to continue rolling out a new, more rigorous state curriculum with a focus on ensuring that educators are properly trained to teach the material.
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