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Sunday, August 6, 2006
Of money, politics and snipe-hunting
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Despite what you’ve heard — and read, and seen — Tuesday isn’t just about Cynthia McKinney, Hank Johnson, and the 4th Congressional District.
Four statewide races will be determined by that rarest of creatures, the run-off voter. Two contests are Democrat, two Republican.
Low interest in the races makes polling the political equivalent of a snipe hunt — either useless, or mythical, or both. But we do have the final campaign finance disclosures that most of these eight candidates filed over the weekend.
Money doesn’t tell you which way the wind is blowing. But it does tell you which way certain people — especially those in tax brackets we all dream of — think the wind is blowing. Here’s a run-down:
Democratic lieutenant governor:
In reports filed this weekend, Jim Martin of Atlanta for the first time can say that he’s raised more cash than Greg Hecht of Jonesboro.
Martin has raised $1,578,858. Hecht claims $1,568,356 — a piddling difference that isn’t the story. What’s important is that, in the last few weeks, Martin has raised $426,930 to Hecht’s $132,341.
Hecht continues to pay for an inflammatory flyer he mailed out just before the July 18 primary, which twisted the words his opponent used to describe a bill to reform Georgia’s rape laws. Hecht has apologized, but private and public sanctions continue.
On Sunday, the Macon Telegraph withdrew its endorsement of Hecht. “In a sea of dirty tricks, it’s important to draw the line somewhere,� the editorial said.
Creative Loafing, an alternative newspaper in Atlanta, did the same last week. But the Telegraph’s blow strikes at Hecht’s strategy of rallying Democrats outside Atlanta to his cause.
Republican agriculture commissioner:
State Sen. Brian Kemp of Athens has raised $156,670 to get himself through the run-off, compared to $138,139 raised by agri-business lobbyist Gary Black of Commerce. But Kemp’s total includes a $50,000 personal loan.
In this race to become the champion of Georgia farmers, the amounts are less important than the source of the cash.
For the run-off, Black was able to line up cash from Michael Bowers ($1,000), a confidant of Gov. Sonny Perdue; U.S. Rep. John Linder ($3,000), dean of the Georgia congressional delegation; and the Loose Group ($3,000), a collection of wealthy and very conservative Republicans.
For what it’s worth, Black also was the beneficiary of a $1,500 in-kind contribution from Critter magazine.
Kemp, meanwhile, has relied on his Senate colleagues for much of his support. They’ve kicked in just under $15,000 for the run-off. That includes $3,000 each from Senate president pro tem Eric Johnson of Savannah, and state Sen. Bill Heath of Bremen.
The Senate’s collective effort was largely responsible for pushing colleague Casey Cagle past Ralph Reed in last month’s GOP race for lieutenant governor. The question is whether the chamber can do it again.
Republican secretary of state:
We haven’t been able to find state Sen. Bill Stephens’ disclosure report on the state web site. But the report from his rival, Karen Handel, is available and drips with big-name Republican contributors.
Handel, currently chairman of the Fulton County Commission, raised $131,046 to get her through the run-off. Donors include Bob Barr ($1,000); the aforementioned Bowers ($2,000); Fred Cooper ($3,000), the long-time GOP leader; and state Sen. David Shafer of Norcross ($3,000).
Democratic secretary of state:
Gail Buckner of Jonesboro, a member of the state House, has raised $160,675 for the run-off. But that includes a $150,000 personal loan.
Darryl Hicks of Fayetteville, most recently a lobbyist for AGL Resources, has raised $24,311 in the latest period. That includes a $100 check from the famed gospel group, Blind Boys of Alabama.
