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DEL.ICIO.USSonny Perdue steps out on those two DOT races
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Gov. Sonny Perdue on Thursday stepped publicly into a pair of races for the state transportation board, endorsing two board members seeking re-election — and opposed by House Speaker Glenn Richardson.
In front of a crowd of community leaders from Savannah, gathered in the state Capitol for “Savannah Day,” the governor gave “the firmest endorsement I can make to Raybon Anderson of Statesboro, one of two targeted DOT members.
Perdue urged the community leaders to contact state lawmakers who cast votes for the DOT board on Friday. “They work for you. They represent your values and your views,” the governor said. “It’s urgently important for us to move forward in resolving solutions, rather than looking at things in negative ways.”
Afterwards, Perdue was asked if he’d offer the same endorsement of Mike Evans of Cumming, the state DOT board chairman, who is also being opposed by Richardson. “Yes,” the governor replied.
Both Evans and Anderson last year voted against the House speaker’s pick for DOT commissioner, and instead successfully backed Gena Abraham, the governor’s pick. Richardson has said he’s appalled by the mismanagement that Abraham has uncovered during her few weeks in the job, and thinks certain board members should be held responsible.
DOT elections are a complicated affair. Board seats are awarded by congressional districts. House and Senate members whose districts are in each congressional district participate in the vote, usually by secret ballot.
In Anderson’s case, 14 Republicans and 14 Democrats will decide. And two Democratic names have been floated as opponents to the Statesboro resident.
But on Thursday, Anderson may have picked up some bipartisan support. Before the governor spoke, state Sen. Regina Thomas of Savannah, a Democrat, told the crowd to expect “the status quo” after the dust has settled.
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