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DEL.ICIO.USLet the money game begin
A Democrat who's Shyam, but not shy, raises enough to play with Republicans
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The official deadline to disclose campaign contributions for the last three months is at midnight today.
And the first candidate to report his collections — to us, anyway — is Shyam Reddy, the Democratic candidate for secretary of state.
He’s reporting $151,149 raised since January, or $486,225 total. And he’s got $408,000 on hand. Not bad for a 31-year-old attorney making his first bid for office.
Reddy is one of seven candidates in the primary, but the dollars he’s raised put him in the same company as Republican candidates Bill Stephens and Karen Handel.
Reddy’s with Kilpatrick Stockton in Atlanta, and boasts a background in voting rights and campaign finance. He’s one of the founding members of the Red Clay Democrats — a tight circle of young professionals in Atlanta who include state senators Kasim Reed and David Adelman.
He’s a native Georgian, raised in Dublin, and the son of Indian immigrants. In fact, on Thursday, Reddy’s wife let it be known that Bibi magazine — no doubt you’ve all heard of it — has named him one of the six sexiest Indian-Americans. Though not one of the richest.
Comments
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By Sam S
April 7, 2006 07:59 AM | Link to this
He’s going to need all of it, to stand out, with 6 people in his primary.
By lucy
April 7, 2006 09:29 AM | Link to this
I don’t know about sexiest, but he is definitely the most exciting candidate I’ve heard speak in a long time. And that’s saying a lot in the Secretary of State’s Race too!
By Leslie
April 7, 2006 10:34 AM | Link to this
he still has to “sell” his message that he can beat the Republicans in the Fall.
By Dekalb Dem
April 7, 2006 11:56 AM | Link to this
The only Dem candidate that holds a flame to Reddy is Holcomb, and he can’t raise money to save his life. Reddy’s compelling, and if he can get your ear, he’ll get your vote.
I’m curious to find out how much cash Angela Moore has, and whether her donors seem legitimate or fabricated.
By chief
April 7, 2006 12:10 PM | Link to this
What is his message?
Recently read:
“Smitty’s comments One minute he’s Shyam from immigrant parents, then he’s Barack Obama junior, then he’s just your average UGA law graduate, then he’s a Brown person running on behalf of all minorities (he said that himself in Warner Robbins), and now he’s a sexy South Asian stud.”
“HardRock’s comments “The message I get: he’s a lawyer working for KS: serving international and multinational clients as well as clients from Latin America to Asia. A portal to the European business community. He’s a member of a tight circle. A chameleon he’s: Shyamsundar (“Shyam”) Komati Reddy - Indian or Indian-American or American, whatever the firm needs at the moment.”
Just a regular Georgia “cracker”… like you and me.
Mr. Ben Fortson must be spinning in his grave.
By lucy
April 7, 2006 12:20 PM | Link to this
For God’s sake, can we plllleaase elect the candidate who has the right qualifications for the job and stop electing idiots? Reddy may be many things to many people, but one thing still stands for certain: This guy is THE MOST qualified for the position. Elect him. There’s really nothing else to say.
By Dekalb Dem
April 7, 2006 12:32 PM | Link to this
What Lucy said!
Smitty and HardRock seem to have problems with multidimensionality. You can be all of the things they mention and more, and there’s nothing wrong in identifying which component of your personality makes you most like a member, or members, of your audience.
By Hardrock
April 7, 2006 01:32 PM | Link to this
lucy, DDem
What are the right qualifications we common folk should be looking for to lead one of Georgia’s oldest constitutional offices. Is it:
Bibi’s sexy man? Bollywood and elitists’ connections? Class Cameleon? My favorite: lucy said so.
DDem
DimDem, how’s cynthia mcKinney’s crowd?
“…problems with multidimensionality.” Yes, I do. Most Georgians translate that into “the best candidate lobbyists’ money can buy”. In the words of a song, “Stand for something or fall for anything.”
If he has not figured out a message after 18-months of running, how can Democrats win over even ethics-challenged and fined Republicans in November?
Obviously, you (lucy) and DimDem are two plants who elect “idiots”. Fire away, Democratic friends.
By lucy
April 7, 2006 01:45 PM | Link to this
Hahaha. Wow. And I thought Georgia was moving forward. Hardrock, if you can pull yourself away from consistent misspellings (i.e. “cameleon”) and redirect your attention to Reddy’s website, you will find answers to all of your questions. At the end of the day, however, your comments appear uneducated, ignorant and sound like the conservative complaining of an 8 year old. A job well done!
By BlingBling
April 7, 2006 02:00 PM | Link to this
May we sit upon the ground and consider.
Walter Ray is a candidate for SOS.
He may be the sleeper.
Ray has raised about $87,000 in five weeks. I’m Impressed!
Qualifications: He speaks intelligently about the five primary duties of SOS. State government experience as former Senate Speaker Pro-Tem. National awards winner as parol board chairman. Family man, teacher, interim superintendent, small business owner. That’s good.
When asked if he would be using the SOS’s office as a stepping stone to run for Governor. He said, “No.”
That’s refreshing.
Summary: Democrat Walter Ray vs. Republican Stephens in November. We, Democrats, can win that one folks.
By
April 7, 2006 02:06 PM | Link to this
- Hardrock, Here’s what I value in a candidate, and what I think should matter to others: 1. Intellectual capacity 2. Honesty 3. Thoughtful, judicious decision-making 4. Fairness 5. Accessibility 6. Open-mindedness 7. Rational - driven by fact, science, and data instead of opinion, anecdote, and special interest
I think Reddy measures up on these criteria, and that’s why he’ll get my vote.
By BlingBling
April 7, 2006 02:11 PM | Link to this
My apology. Parole is misspelled.
By Tony
April 7, 2006 02:15 PM | Link to this
Stephens trying to ride Ralph Reed’s coattails tell me all I need to know about him. I get his emails and all he talks about is voter fraud. I never hear about everything else that the SoS is supposed to also do. Stephens is too focused on attacking Cathy Cox’s job as SoS to really address ALL issues. Reed and his pit bull crowd will all bring this state down either in the election in November OR, if they’re elected, after that during their administrations.
By HardRock
April 7, 2006 02:22 PM | Link to this
By?
LOL - is that you lucy or dimdem or reedy?
Thinking? Plants don’t think.
Let’s talk again in November.
By Dekalb Dem
April 7, 2006 02:35 PM | Link to this
I posted that, HardRock. I went back to add my name and e-mail, but there’s an AJC feature that keeps one from making immediate, back-to-back posts.
I answered your question seriously and honestly. That’s why I like Reddy; I think he’s a smart, honest, stand-up guy. When all the Dem candidates are espousing similar ideas regarding policy, those other characteristics matter a lot.
By HardRock
April 7, 2006 03:09 PM | Link to this
DimDem,
Stop acting like a plant.
Honest? Stand up guy?
Why does He have two News section items, a year apart with the same $ amounts? (FYI: Yesterday: One at the top (Jan 06/Weekly), the second (January 05/Atlanta) near the bottom of his web page.) Intent is to mislead. Is that honest?
One of his changed words in PR 2 is Weekly. Weekly what? His imaginary newspaper or Weekly update? If latter, where is subsequent weeks update? Is that honest?
Other News section items indicate ATL or Chat Times. Why not these two items? Honest?
Thoughtful decision making? Fair?
Stop being a plant.
Maybe for a plant.
Now… How’s Cynthia McKinney’s crowd?
By HardRock
April 7, 2006 03:14 PM | Link to this
ATL in last post should be AJC
By Been Around
April 7, 2006 04:10 PM | Link to this
I will cast my ballot for Shyam Reddy for what he says and does and the qualifications he possesses. It is not his fault, along with being extremely intelligent, diligent, and just what we need for a SoS, that he just happens to be so attractive that he is voted as one of the sexiest Asians in the Southeast (or whatever it was). For me, I won’t vote against somebody because somebody else thinks they are sexy. In fact, I can’t understand why somebody would be offended because he is attractive and charming. Maybe they are a one issue voter and ugly is their thing.
By Frank
April 9, 2006 02:16 PM | Link to this
Now that the Ethics Office has most of the SoS data up, looks like the top fundraisers for this period were:
Handel (172,500), Reddy (151,000), Hicks (126,800 - including a 100,000 loan to himself), Ray (86,000 - including 50,000 in loans), Holcomb (62,000), and Stephens (33,700).
Top fundraisers overall are:
Reddy (486,000), Handel (413,200), Stephens (exact number unknown), with everyone else less than 150,000
By Sam
April 9, 2006 06:23 PM | Link to this
Stephens is about $8,000 ahead of Handel in total $$$ and he has been in the race for one more disclosure period than she has. Handel has outraised the entire field for the two disclosure periods that shes been in the race.
By Whitey McWhite
April 9, 2006 11:54 PM | Link to this
Yeah, but Stephens was more-or-less prevented from raising money this period because of the legislative session. Handel has done a good job of picking the low-hanging fruit.
By Sam
April 10, 2006 09:27 AM | Link to this
Your correct that Stephens couldn’t raise money this filing period. This is his third filing period, and Handel’s second. If you look at the first two filing periods for Handel and Stephens you’ll see that she outraised him and the rest of the field. The more important thing is that she hs a 2-1 advantage in Cash.
By Tony
April 10, 2006 11:48 AM | Link to this
If you note that Cagle raised over $103K under the same restrictions as Stephens did. It’s surprising that Stephens wasn’t as smart on fundraising. Looks like riding under Ralph’s coattails doesn’t get you far.
By Debbie
April 10, 2006 02:51 PM | Link to this
Tony, not suprising about Stephens. He was too busy trying to dig up mud on Handel to sling and fundraising must have slipped his mind. I don’t care how many endorsements Stephens gets, Karen will still win. The only endorsements that matter is that of the voters.
By Tracy McCollister
April 12, 2006 04:51 PM | Link to this
Of the candidates at the multi-county Democrat rally in Warner Robins recently, Reddy’s public speech was by far the most impressive. He offered some real meat.
On the same day, Handel spoke at the Republican breakfast in Warner Robins. She is also very impressive and seems to know her stuff.
A Reddy-Handel race in November would be exciting.
By MetroGroup
April 12, 2006 05:09 PM | Link to this
Walter Ray has been in the SOS’s race only five-weeks. The other candidate more than 18-months. We’re a small group of 34 people. We’re betting Mr. Reddy’s lack of experience is trumped Mr Ray’s experience.
Of course, that’s why we have political races. We’re rooting for the underdog, Walter Ray, as Georgia’s next SOS.
By Smiley
April 12, 2006 05:58 PM | Link to this
You have got to be kidding me!! Walter Ray is a crook! Did you forget about the Parole Board? He was asked to resign along with Bobby Whitworth and at least 4 other people with the Parole Board for taking bribes. He took money to introduce people to the legislators. Plus he is dumb as a box of ROCKS.