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DEL.ICIO.USOf engagement showers, and the AIDS virus
Unusual political topics that could dominate two races in the July primaries
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
That engagement shower thrown for state Rep. Stacey Reece may be more expensive than anyone imagined.
The Gainesville Republican has picked up primary opposition from Lee Hawkins, a local dentist. Hawkins made his announcement Wednesday morning on Martha Zoller’s morning radio show on WDUN.
Last month, Reece and his intended were guests of honor at a downtown Atlanta party that celebrated their coming nuptials. The problem is that the fete was thrown by 21 lobbyists, while the Legislature was in session.
Reece also riled hard-core GOP conservatives last year with his successful sponsorship of a smoking ban in public places.
On another political note
And you thought Nan Orrock would be replaced by some Republican in a tweed suit?
Allen Thornell, former head of the gay-rights group Georgia Equality, has jumped up to say he wants to replace Orrock in her District 58 House seat. He’d be the first openly gay man in the Legislature. (He and state Rep. Karla Drenner could form the first gay-lesbian caucus in the state Capitol.)
Interestingly, Thornell is also open about being HIV-positive. He’s infected by the AIDS virus, a fact he found out 12 years ago. He expects the topic to be raised during a campaign that’s likely to include a large number of Democratic candidates.
“Certainly my HIV status is pretty well known because I’ve always been open about it,” Thornell said in a press release announcing his decision. “It has helped me understand the problems with our health-care system — it comes as an advantage actually.”
As head of Georgia Equality, Thornell waged an unsuccessful fight in the halls of the Legislature, to keep the gay marriage amendment off the November 2004 ballot.
For the past two years, Thornell has been the deputy regional political director of the Service Employees International Union, which means he could have some substantial labor support for the seat.
District 58 straddles the east Atlanta and the DeKalb County line. It includes portions of Grant Park and Reynoldstown.
Orrock, one of the Legislature’s most reliable liberals, is going after the state Senate seat being vacated by Sam Zamarripa.
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