Boyd joins governor debate for first time

By Aaron Gould Sheinin

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Political newcomer Ray Boyd made his first official appearance in professional politics on Thursday night, joining five other Republican governor hopefuls in a debate that was different from the previous dozen only by Boyd's presence.

Boyd, 67, entered the race in late March by dropping $2 million of his own money into his campaign, a single contribution that vaulted him among the leaders in campaign finances. But the commercial real estate magnate has never run for office and nearly everyone in the audience at Roswell United Methodist Church was getting his or her first look at Boyd.

The debate was sponsored by the mayors of north Fulton County and the questions focused largely on issues relevant to the region, including the creation of Milton County, transportation, taxes and education.

Boyd's inexperience with specific issues was on display early, as was his uniqueness -- he was the only male candidate not in suit and tie. Boyd had a suit coat slung over his chair and wore a short-sleeved, crew neck sport shirt. And when the candidates were asked whether they supported legislation that allow for the creation of Milton County, Boyd said he wasn't familiar with the issue.

"I'm starting late, but I'm a quick learner," he said.

Most of the other candidates said they supported the legislation, which never made it to the House floor. Former Secretary of State Karen Handel, former Sen. Eric Johnson and states rights activist Ray McCrery said they supported it. Rep. Austin Scott said he would have voted against it.

Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine and former U.S. Rep. Nathan Deal did not participate in the debate, and Sen. Jeff Chapman arrived late.

"We're not just talking about creation of a new county," Scott said. "We're talking about creation of a new school system, as well. I believe it's important to get it right rather get it fast."

Scott said more information was needed to explain how services would move from Fulton County to Milton County. Once that's done, he said he could support the idea.

On transportation, Scott and Chapman were the only candidates who said they opposed legislation that passed the General Assembly Wednesday that would allow counties to join together to create a new one-cent sales tax to fund regional transportation projects.

The mayors were concerned that if their voters implement the new tax, Fulton County will be paying two cents for transportation projects while suburban counties would only be paying one. The candidates were asked if that was fair.

"It's not fair," Johnson said. "You're already paying a penny. But we've got what we've got."

Johnson also said the legislation made the MARTA governing system worse and the bill should have allowed metro Atlanta mayors to appoint a member to the MARTA board.

"Obviously, it is not fair or is it equitable," Handel agreed. "Those who worked in the Legislature for a long time had every opportunity to make it more equitable."

Boyd, who has worked in north Fulton for 35 years, said a lack of leadership at the Capitol in Atlanta has caused a mismatch of plans.

"If you look around what it is, I don't believe they know what they're doing down there," he said. "Throwing money at the situations is not necessarily how you solve that problem."

McBerry said there needs to be more local control and input on projects.

When the roughly 90-minute debate was over, little had changed in the campaign. But the new candidate had jumped in.

"I put my life on hold at 67 years old to come back and try to save my country," Boyd said in a closing argument. "And I came to do that. The best way I can do that is the platform of the governor of Georgia. And I can carry the water when I get there. I can carry the water when I get there."