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DEL.ICIO.USDemocratic attempt to oust party-switcher fizzles: Judge recommends removal of Gross from ballot
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
An administrative judge has recommended that Keith Gross, a 24-year-old Democrat challenging state Rep. Mike Jacobs (R-Atlanta), be removed from the November ballot.
If ratified by Secretary of State Karen Handel, the decision would free Jacobs of major party opposition in his first contest as a Republican. Jacobs, who is seeking a third term, switched parties in 2007.
Update: Just before 6 p.m., Handel adopted the judge’s finding. “Prominent notices will be placed at each affected polling place advising voters of Mr. Gross’s disqualification, and all votes cast for Mr. Gross will be void and not counted,” announced the press release.
An independent candidate is attempting to win a position on the November ballot.
See the ruling here. Wrote Judge Michael Malihi:
”The preponderance of the credible evidence is that [Gross] did not establish the two-year residency requirement of the [Georgia Constitution.]
“…[Gross’s] testimony consisted of many questionable concerns, namely the following:
[Gross] was evasive and unable to specify the date he formed the intent to make Georgia his state of residence. [Gross] testified that he moved to Georgia in 2005 to live with his mother. He stated that he considered his home to be where his mother resided, but conceded that his mother moved back to Florida in 2005.
“Respondent testified that he may have obtained a Georgia driver’s license in 2005 when he actually maintained his Florida driver’s license throughout 2005 and 2006, renewed his Florida driver’s license in 2006, and maintained his Florida driver’s license until May 2007….”
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Comments
By Blogfather
July 11, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this
Wootie and his blowfish trolls love the concealed weapons law at airports.
I used to worry that airport lounges held cultish Hari Krishnas and the cacophonous, mettlesome drum-drum racket of their chants. Now I’m afraid of the brutish hairy kitsch of cowboy dumb-dumbs and the full metal jacket in their pants.
This is why conservatism is dead, and buried on the trash heap of history.
Stalwart GOP stall wart Sen. Craig sounded taps, with his flag at half mast.
Obama 08: Vision Accomplished.
Obama 08: Vision Accomplished.
By San
July 11, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this
Democrats & Republicans of Georgia need to get their act together! Instead of bickering over “petty irrelevancies in the name of politics,” there are other far more important causes to be fighting for, such as trying to get a knowledgeable person like JIM POWELL onto the statewide Public Service Commission, which affects your household utility rates.
By Jacketed Hollowpoint
July 11, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this
Sounds like you have the vapors. Drink an imported bottled water, watch The View, and console yourself.
By Jason
July 11, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this
I loved the “If ratified” remark about Karen Handel. What the heck do you THINK she’s going to do? She’s a Republican after all. Of course she’s gonna ratify. She probably already has.
Shame that a snake in the grass who only cares about his own personal power will be unchallenged. Hopefully the independent can get on the ballot…. but she won’t if Karen Handel has anything to say about it.
By Decaturguy
July 11, 2008 5:52 PM | Link to this
Keith Gross should have never been the unopposed Democratic candidate for this office. Yes, Mike Jacobs deserves an opponent, but it ain’t Karen Handel’s fault, it is Georgia Democrats!
By Decaturguy
July 11, 2008 5:52 PM | Link to this
Keith Gross should have never been the unopposed Democratic candidate for this office. Yes, Mike Jacobs deserves an opponent, but it ain’t Karen Handel’s fault, it is Georgia Democrats!
By Decision 08
July 11, 2008 6:23 PM | Link to this
hey, hollow, thanx, Glad you loved the material. Feel free to steal. then folks’ll think that you’re the genius, instead of the unbalmed cheekspread you truly are.
By Jacobs Still a Liar
July 11, 2008 6:58 PM | Link to this
Jacobs may not have a Democratic challenger but that doesn’t change the fact that Jacobs lied to supporters, misrepresented himself, and took money from numerous Democratic donors who placed trust in him. At his core, he lacks conviction and is a very flawed politician. I don’t know how he sleeps at night the way he turned his back on his constituents. We voters will get our say eventually and vote him out of office. All he can do is delay his loss.
By Another HD 80 Voter
July 11, 2008 7:41 PM | Link to this
Hey, Where are all of you Gross fans who said I was lying when I saw his car with a Florida tag on here? Where are all of you who thought I was full of it when I said he clearly did not live here?
I thought so.
By Matthew
July 11, 2008 8:29 PM | Link to this
Jason, Handel has nothing to do with independent. The check is done by the Dekalb County Elections office. Those results are certified to her through them.
I still blame the DPG for this mess and for missing out on what should have been a great opportunity for picking up a very winnable seat.
By Let's vote Independent
July 11, 2008 9:12 PM | Link to this
If ever we had a year when it made sense to vote for an Independent it’s 2008! All those in House District 80, let’s come together and show Mike Jacobs that the people have the last word! He can’t sell us out without a fight!
By Jeffrey
July 12, 2008 2:27 AM | Link to this
The way the GDP and some Dekalb Democrats have acted if I was Keith ,I would vote for Jacobs just for the hell of it against the State Party and some Dekalb Democrat officals .
By HD80 resident
July 12, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this
hd80voter…thanks for the photo..it convinced me that he was fishy enough to complain.
lets vote independent…why vote for someone without courage in her convictions? She allowed this non-qualified guy (in all aspects it turns out) to be the sole name on the ticket. She tried to manipulate the ballot…along with the other Dems. Jeffrey…Gross would have to be a registered voter to vote here. He hasn’t voted in years.
By Learn to Write
July 12, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this
Jeffrey: It’s “Democratic” not Democrat officials. Your little slip tells me that you are probably a sell-out Republican like Mike Jacobs since that’s how they usually say it.
By Jacobs is the Manipulator
July 12, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this
Woah! Hang on there resident… You say “She allowed this non-qualified guy to run?” What planet are you on? She had no control over him! Since Jacobs moved to have his challenger taken off the ballot, she’s the only way voters even have a choice now. House Districe 80 voters deserve better than the crooked Jacobs!