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DEL.ICIO.USBuckle up: Another DOT board race is on the way
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Yes, the state Capitol will have to go through the process of another election to replace Mike Evans, chairman of the state transportation board, who resigned in the name of love on Thursday.
The object of his affection is Gena Abraham, the Department of Transportation commissioner.
The contest to replace Evans must be jointly called by House Speaker Glenn Richardson and Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle — which means the two top leaders of the Legislature have an immediate reason to move past the harsh words thrown during the just-ended session. House and Senate members in the 9th Congressional District wouldl cast the deciding vote.
The last fight over board membership — two seats were involved in the February votes — resulted in the punishment of several House members for their failure to support Richardson’s candidates.
Why not leave the seat open until January? Because there’s a distinct possibility that Abraham won’t be sticking around in her DOT job— meaning another huge battle over who would control the massive, and massively dysfunctional, agency.
Here’s what InsiderAdvantage has, raising questions of Abraham’s future:
The board quickly scheduled a special meeting for April 21st without saying what it was about. Vice Chairman Garland Pinholster, who moves up to the chairmanship position until board officer elections are held in June, said the meeting would be about what Abraham would do.
“The ball is in her court,” he said.
Abraham’s candidacy as commissioner last year was sponsored by Sonny Perdue, whose office has just put out word that the governor, out of town today, won’t make any statement on the situation until Friday. Presumably, he’ll use the time to consult with his DOT commissioner.
But back to the coming DOT board race to replace Evans. The Gainesville Times is reporting, and we’ve confirmed, that two names are already being floated.
Says the Times:
Those being mentioned as possible successors to Evans include Chris Riley, chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Nathan Deal, R-Gainesville, and state Sen. Eugene “Chip” Pearson of Dawsonville. Pearson has reportedly told legislative leaders that he would not seek re-election to his Senate seat this year.
Comments
By scandal
April 17, 2008 11:06 PM | Link to this
Gena Abraham should face another election as well. After all, she was only elected to DOT Commissioner by a 5-4 vote, and boy-toy Mike Evans was the deciding vote!
By U Said It
April 17, 2008 11:34 PM | Link to this
“The ball is in her court,” he said.
‘Ya got that right!
By Bitter EX democrackkk
April 18, 2008 6:22 AM | Link to this
With so much money at stake, its amazing how CORRUPT state DOTs seem to be.
In NC, over the past 10 years or so, evil democrat ‘leaders’ have stolen over $4 BILLION from the NC Highway TRUST FUND! NC has been totally CORRUPTED by EVIL, EVIL POWER HUNGRY Democrackkks, and the citizens are TOO damn dumb to know what ‘their’ party as done to them! Thank God, Georgia cleaned house somewhat to rid itself of such EVILness.
By Harvey
April 18, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this
Darn, guys, give this couple a break. They are both single. They fell in love after her election. When their relationship reached the point of making a decision, they did the right thing and eliminated the one barrier to their dating, at great sacrifice. I have heard no allegation of any wrong doing. Compared to the horney bunch in House leadership, these prople are saints.
By Earl's in trouble too
April 18, 2008 11:16 PM | Link to this
http://www.voic.us/danablankenhorn/2384/georgiabadtrip_earl
By PartyLine
April 19, 2008 8:49 PM | Link to this
Pearson has reportedly told legislative leaders that he would not seek re-election to his Senate seat this year.
I’ll keep my fingers crossed. He’s just one of many Incumbent “Republican” elected ones that needs to go. I contacted him on two distinct issues over the past few years because he was always harping about being there for us. Just call or e-mail or whatever. What a joke. What a waste of my time and I’m retired. He was absolutely worthless. The sooner he’s gone, the sooner we can move on to trying to find statesmen to serve the people.