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DEL.ICIO.USDemocrats see silver lining in delay
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
However a federal panel rules on Democratic Rep. Jane Kidd’s redistricting challenge, the court order extending qualifying until next next Friday for Athens and surrounding areas gives Democrats at least a chance to improve their position.
Kidd is challenging the way Republicans redrew three Senate districts, including the one she’s running for, in this year’s legislative session. But qualifying for 13 House districts in and around Athens has also been extended, giving Democrats another week to find candidates for seven House seats where Republicans are so far unchallenged.
One of those Republicans is Rep. Mickey Channell of Greensboro, a recent party switcher. Democrats would surely like to find a challenger for him, but it remains to be seen how far they’ll go to represent in all these races.
Rep. Calvin Smyre (D-Columbus) characterized the decrease in the number of House races where Democrats will oppose Republicans this fall, from more than 50 two years ago to 36, as a positive development from the standpoint of the party’s ability to fund truly competitive races. In other words, they can no longer spend money just to show the flag.
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