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DEL.ICIO.USEarly prediction: Jones, Martin in Senate runoff
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Update/10:56:
State Sen. Jeff Chapman will survive a tough challenge in the Brunswick area of the Georgia coast, but two female senators won’t be so lucky. Both Nancy Schaefer, (R-Turnerville) and Gail Davenport (D-Jonesboro) will have runoffs.
Schaefer bought her trouble by indecision. She announced that she’d leave the State Senate to challenge U.S. Rep. Paul Broun in the 10th Congressional District. Then she changed her mind. Meanwhile, she’d drawn two challengers — and she’ll finish the night in second place. Not smart politics. The district will never be safe for her. Indecision can be costly.
Davenport drew four challengers, including former state legislator Gail Buckner. Davenport’s leading, but with less than 43 percent of the vote. Not a good sign for a secure political future.
Update/10:23:
Despite the debacle that was this year’s General Assembly and U.S. Congress, it’s not turning out to be a throw-the-bums-out year. All incumbent members of Congress will win their primaries and only a couple of legislative races make news.
One is in Bartow County where 16-year incumbent Jeff Lewis was defeated tonight by Paul Battles by about 185 votes. Blame that one on the feud between the Speaker and the lieutenant governor that kept the legislature from delivering results on tax relief and transportation. Lewis is a top-notch legislator and a good conservative. This is a real loss.
Another good young conserative is also in a real battle. State Rep. Steve Davis of Henry County leads challenger Trea Pipkin by about 125 votes with 95 percent of precincts reporting. Henry is another county where taxes and transportation are big issues. His district is one Republicans will have a tough time holding in another cycle or two. It’s trending Democratic.
The loss of Davis and Lewis would make this a really bad night.
Update/9:52:
One of the two Georgia Democratic congressmen targeted by the GOP, John Barrow of Savannah, will turn back his challenger, State Sen. Regina Thomas of Savannah. in the 12th Congressional District. That district stretches from Savannah to Athens to Augusta and while it should be a safe district for Democrats, it’s one either party can win — with the right candidate.
Barrow will face John Stone, a former senior aide to the late Charlie Norwood and to Max Burns, the last Republican to win in this district. Stone’s leading now in a three-man race with 57 percent of the vote.
In a good year, Republicans could pick up this seat.
Update/8:41:
With just about a quarter of the vote tallied in the Republican primary in the 10th Congressional District, incumbent Paul Broun is likely to retain his seat in Congress. The challenger, up-and-coming state legislator Barry Fleming is not running nearly as well in his end of the district as he needs to. Broun has 72 percent of the vote — and strength in places not yet reported.
Broun has a Democratic challenger, but it’s a heavily Republican district. He’ll be back in Congress next year.
Posted/7:59:
Early returns don’t tell us much — but it is clear, as expected, that in the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate, it’ll come down to DeKalb CEO Vernon Jones and former State Rep. Jim Martin of Atlanta.
The three counties that matter most in determining the outcome are DeKalb, Fulton and Clayton. Throw in Macon, Augusta and Columbus and we’ll know the outcome.
For now, returns are scattered throughout the state. Martin is, no doubt, the favorite of the Democratic establishment, but Jones is running well in most places reporting early. My hunch, based on these returns, which account for less than 1 percent of the precincts, is that Jones will wind up in first place. Right now, Martin’s leading with about 46 percent of the vote to 28 for Jones.
Is it possible for Jones to win without a runoff? Maybe. Returns from Greene County along I-20 in east Georgia are interesting. With 2 of 10 precincts reporting, Jones has 117 votes to 41 for Martin. Greensboro, on the north side of I-20, has a black voting majority.
I watched the last Democratic debate involving these candidates, such as it was. Real low-key. Nothing there to boost turnout, though I’ve got to say that Vernon Jones probably performed best. If people outside Metro Atlanta were just beginning to pay attention, he likely picked up some votes.
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Comments
By GOPs got to go
July 15, 2008 9:09 PM | Link to this
Please be wrong Jim, anybody but Jones. He smells of snake oil to me.
I voted for Knight. Young, smart and in to the Environment.
By Jim Wooten
July 15, 2008 9:23 PM | Link to this
Sorry, GOPs got to go, but your guy ain’t going to make it. He’s running 4th in Clarke County, home of the young,smart and those who are into the Environment.
By Just Nasty and Mean
July 15, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this
Hello Jim, et al,
I am just glad the Demokrat party wasn’t able to field a decent candidate this year. I think the GOP and Somewhat Useless~~I mean Saxby Chambliss~~would be in DEEP TROUBLE because of Saxby’s RINO inclinations—like on immigration and his propensity for pork—like on the Farm subsidy/price support bill for Chambliss’ south Ga. farm buddies.
I will vote for Saxby, but I WILL be holding my nose to pull the lever for him and fellow RINO McCain. That voting booth is going to stink to high heaven!
However Jones OR Martin would far exceed any Republican definition of Tax and Spend Demokrats.
Obama? God help us escape this unmitigated disaster in the making.
Take care, my friend!
By GOPs got to go
July 15, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this
One can only dream. In a televised debate he would make Chambliss look fat and old.
By Robert Bryant
July 15, 2008 9:54 PM | Link to this
Vernon Jones voted for George W Bush TWICE!!!
By Dekalb guy
July 15, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this
If Mr CEO wins at least the rest of Ga will see why Deklab has gone to the gutter. the one good thing about this election is Vernon can’t screw up dekalb anymore. oh and looks like Dekalb will be getting another new police chief cause Ellis dislike all things Vernon bye bye Bolton and take your tour buses with you
By Dekalb guy
July 15, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this
If Mr CEO wins at least the rest of Ga will see why Dekalb has gone to the gutter. the one good thing about this election is Vernon can’t screw up dekalb anymore. oh and looks like Dekalb will be getting another new police chief cause Ellis dislike all things Vernon bye bye Bolton and take your tour buses with you
By Dekalb guy
July 15, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this
If Mr CEO wins at least the rest of Ga will see why Dekalb has gone to the gutter. the one good thing about this election is Vernon can’t screw up Dekalb anymore. oh and looks like Dekalb will be getting another new police chief cause Ellis dislike all things Vernon bye bye Bolton and take your tour buses with you
By Jim Wooten
July 15, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this
Welcome, mean and nasty, DeKalb guy, Robert Bryant and others to come.
Vernon Jones said he voted for George W. Bush twice.
Does anybody believe he actually did?
By GOPs got to go
July 15, 2008 10:03 PM | Link to this
I disagree on your opinion that Jones preformed the best. I had not heard Knight prior to the debates. I changed my mind from voting for Josh Lanier after watching the WSB and PBS coverage. Anyone with a PhD in Environmental Science has to be in keeping with what I feel is important for this Nation. Enough of reports from the real scientists being edited by the lobbyist serving lackeys in the White House.
My husband does not pay any attention to politics. He lifted his head up from his lap top long enough to comment on Jones. I quote “He sure is full of himself”, back to lap top.
By Left to Right
July 15, 2008 10:23 PM | Link to this
I still can’t figure out why Jones would say he voted twice for Bush, especially given how unpopular Bush is. It makes it that much more difficult for him to win the Democratic primary, as the raison d’ etre of many Democrats is to see the Bush presidency undone.
And even if he was to win the Democratic primary, it wouldn’t help him in the general election. It would certainly make Democrats less likely to vote for him, it would probably hurt him with independents (again, because of Bush’s low popularity), and there is no way Republicans who like Bush would vote for him over Chambliss.
So how does saying such a thing help him pick up any votes anywhere?
To top it all off, he sent out a flier trying to connect himself to Obama. So apparently his campaign plan is to appeal to the die-hard Bush-loving Obama voter?
I hope his security detail has their resumes updated; I have a feeling their services will soon no longer be needed.
By Jim Wooten
July 15, 2008 10:24 PM | Link to this
Well, yes, GOPs got to go, your husband is correct in his assessment of Mr. CEO. But that doesn’t mean that he didn’t do well.
By Jason
July 15, 2008 10:49 PM | Link to this
Vernon Jones is a DINO! I absolutely do believe he voted for our current president. He is a self-described conservative Democrat. I voted for Rand Knight and it’s too bad he isn’t going to make it. But at least Jim Martin will still be in the running and hopefully win the runoff. If not, meh. Jones or Martin would probably lose in the general, but if Jones wins the runoff and somehow pulled out a win in November I will croak, I think. But most likely it’ll probably end up being six more years of Chambliss, who at least doesn’t do jack sh*t.
By Anybody but Mr. CEO
July 15, 2008 11:09 PM | Link to this
Dear Mr. Wooten,
I found this in Mr. Chambliss’ position statements:
Do you believe that the United States has lost the respect of much of the international community, and if so, what would you propose to regain standing in the world? Mr. Chambliss: In my years in the U.S. House, when Republicans controlled Congress and a Democrat was in the White House, Congress did not routinely undermine our President’s credibility in the world. It saddens me to see the Democrats in Congress do that to President Bush, harming our nation’s reputation and weakening our national security. As long as Democrats in Congress continue to malign our President before the world for political gain back home, we will continue to face a declining stature worldwide.
Seems like I vaguely remember something about politically motivated impeachment proceedings that might have been aimed at undermining the credibility of a Democratic (yes, this is the CORRECT adjective) president.
You may want to give your boy a little history lesson before the election so he doesn’t make such easily refuted statements. But, I gotta admit - it sure gave me a good laugh!
By Just Nasty and Mean
July 16, 2008 4:55 AM | Link to this
….Even Vernon Jones will look good against a milk-toast Jim Martin.
But my question is: What unique and significant item has Vernon Jones accomplished as Dekalb CEO that qualifies him to be a US Senator? Why isn’t he touting his most-notable contributions to Dekalb County—if he has any? Most remarkable are that taxes have raised consistently and the police department seems to be in a constant state of flux. Relations with the commission are contentious and confrontational at best. Didn’t he get into some kind of hallway “bump-and-run” with one of the commissioners?
And what about Vernon’s judgment in his request for dedicated police protection and transportation services(otherwise known as an entourage)? Ego, anyone?
I know he has a widely held reputation with the ladies, and supposedly has a large following from this particular segment. Other than that, I haven’t heard a single thing that compels me to consider Jones a viable alternative~~for dogcatcher~~much less US Senator.
And oh yea—-did Vernon Jones ever get that Obama endorsement he was claiming? Don’t think so.. Matter of fact, I think he was specifically rejected by Obama.
Please—somebody—-give me ONE specific reason that qualifies this Jones to run for the US Senate!.
By GOPs got to go
July 16, 2008 5:59 AM | Link to this
Well I should have gone with Martin, voted with my heart instead of with the block. I just smell a rat when it comes to Vernon Jones. Could one of you GOPers look in to his preacher or see if he bumps his fist, anything will do.
My only condolence is that Bob Barr voters will most likely do the same thing in November. I might have to give some money to his campaign to ensure his continuing in the election. Hold on Folks, we are in for a bumpy ride.
By Vernon Jones for Senate
July 16, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this
Just Nasty and Mean I will give you several reasons to vote Vernon Jones for U.S. Senate. He is: 1. The only one who has RUN a gov’t so he understand exactly how it works. 2. An independent thinker who is in touch with local Georgians and is not a Democratic puppet. Vernon looks at the facts and makes the best decision. We need that in Washington. 3. He’s a great guy despite what the media portrays. 4. DeKalb County has prospered under his leadership. Low sales tax, good roads, parks, etc. Pleasing people is tough he presides over 700,000 people everyone is not going to like him. Need more room to type more…