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DEL.ICIO.USAnother part of the deal sealed: Rogers says he’ll run for majority leader
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) has made official his part of an internal state Senate bargain.
He has rejected a run for lieutenant governor in 2010, and instead has lowered his sights to the post of majority leader in the chamber.
Eric Johnson (R-Savannah) thus remains the only Republican state senator in the race to replace Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, who is expected to run for governor.
Rogers wrote in a e-mail distribruted this morning:
Ultimately, the issue weighing heaviest on my mind is my four young children and the impact a race of this magnitude would have on them. After considerable prayer and reflection, I have concluded that running a two year statewide campaign, and if successful serving as Lt. Governor, is not in the best interest of my family at this time in our lives.
Political opportunity is indeed rare, but my responsibility as a father must come first….
It is with this commitment that I officially announce my intention to serve our State Senate as a candidate for the position of Majority Leader. After consultation with the Lt. Governor and many of my Senate colleagues, I am confident of their support and honored to be a voice for our shared conservative principles.
Comments
By bo
August 4, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this
I’m glad the Republican establishment has figured out who all our leaders will be. The one party system sure is grand.
By tim
August 4, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this
as a lifelong republican i will not stand by and watch that sell out eric johnson become our lg. no man who gives money to worthless scum democrats like he did is worthy of office.
By Hancock
August 4, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this
Earth to Bo: The party in the MAJORITY elects the MAJORITY LEADER! Do you think the Democrats will consult the Republicans on who their Minority Leader should be? Majority/Minority leaders are “one party” affairs by definition. They are the leader of that party in that chamber. Come on man….that’s 7th grade civics.
Tim – you’re still wrong about Eric Johnson. But, I’m not going to change your mind and you won’t change mine. So, let’s both save some gas and stay home on primary election day 2010…rather than spending time and money “canceling” each other out!
By Hypocraties
August 4, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this
I guess it just was not in the cards for Chip to be LG.
By bo
August 4, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this
Actually the ‘party’ does not necessarily elect the leaders. Look at Paul Broun in Distric 10 if you don’t understand what I am talking about.
By Hancock
August 4, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this
Bo, Come on man….I know you are smart enough to get this….it’s not that hard. The PARTY does elect the PARTY leadership in the House & Senate. The people elect their legislators (ie: Paul Broun)….then those legislators go to Washington/Atlanta and sit down as a caucus (ie: Republican Caucus or Democrat Caucus) and elect their leadership. Democrats don’t vote for the Republican leadership and vice versa. The only positions elected by the entire body are Speaker of the House & President Pro-Tempore of the Senate. Even in those races, the nominee of the majority party is going to win 100% of the time.
I’m going to cut you some slack and assume that you are still in the 6th grade. If I’m right….don’t worry….they’ll cover all this next year!
By The least of all
August 4, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this
I wonder if the illegal immigrants who come to this country to pick our crops and send the money back to their desitutite families in Mexico so they can have a marginally better life are in Senator Rogers prayers as much as he is?
His entire political career has been built on attacking the least and poorest amoung us. Certainly our immigration policy needs to be fixed but to target the poorest and harders working people in Georgia for attack is sad.
I hope this success will be a catalyst for the good Senator to reexamine his priorities and values. Maybe he will pray over more things than what way he should advance his career.
By Hancock
August 4, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this
Bo, Come on man….I know you are smart enough to get this….it’s not that hard. The PARTY does elect the PARTY leadership in the House & Senate. The people elect their legislators (ie: Paul Broun)….then those legislators go to Washington/Atlanta and sit down as a caucus (ie: Republican Caucus or Democrat Caucus) and elect their leadership. Democrats don’t vote for the Republican leadership and vice versa. The only positions elected by the entire body are Speaker of the House & President Pro-Tempore of the Senate. Even in those races, the nominee of the majority party is going to win 100% of the time.
I’m going to cut you some slack and assume that you are still in the 6th grade. If I’m right….don’t worry….they’ll cover all this next year!
By American worker
August 4, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this
Chip Rogers is one of the elected officials who does the right thing for the right reasons…which his extensive record of legislation and now his committment to his family clearly proves.
There will be other years and other chances, Georgia is lucky to have Rogers.
By tim
August 4, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this
for once Hancock is right about the fact that leadership in the legislature is picked by the membership.
the proof?
eric johnson was just kicked out of leadership by the senate republican caucus because they were sick of his petty political games, they weren’t going to allow him to run for LG from the office of president protempore, and he gave thousands of dollars to liberal democrats to buy votes for his legislation.
By Bogarting now
August 4, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this
Least for all - can you understnd that illegal immigration and illegal employment are…ILLEGAL?
I shudder to think what you would be writing on any blog thaqt was allowed in Mexico - where they enforce their immigration laws without apology.
Rogers has passed a lot of legislation, including anti-dogfighting legislation. Rocket Scientists in your crowd likely view that as ANTI-CANINE right?
“Certainly immigration neededs to be fixed…’ ADMIT IT! YOU WANT OPEN BORDERS!
By Craig
August 4, 2008 6:25 PM | Link to this
Well at least this ensures Johnson is out the door and Shafer will be Lite Guv. Good things come in pairs.
By Shafer, Rogers, what a team!
August 4, 2008 9:01 PM | Link to this
It is too bad that Chip decided not to run, he has a lot of potential. Georgia actually does have a conservative future, Go Chip Go. You will be a great Majority Leader.
Shafer will now put to rest the Senator from Savannah who likes to give to democrats. Thank you Casey for giving him the hiho. It was about time.