Rivals in politics still brothers in fraternity

Take a look at the recent television ads and you might get the idea that Republican U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss and Democratic challenger Jim Martin don’t like each other. But they’re not telling you the whole story.

The two politicians, locked in an increasingly bitter political race, are actually old Sigma Chi fraternity brothers from 40 years back at the University of Georgia. Chambliss’ wife, Julianne, was the “Sweetheart” of Martin’s freshman pledge class.

Martin alluded to the Sigma Chi connection at a recent Johns Creek political forum where he warmly embraced Julianne Chambliss, who was subbing for her husband at the event.

“Saxby’s circle of friends were a little bit older than mine,” Martin said Thursday. “But we were, and still are, friends. I never take politics personally.”

Chambliss said he and Martin were two years apart at UGA but attended many of the same Sigma Chi functions. The two often ran in different circles, Chambliss said, socializing with classmates of the same age much of the time.

“He was not in the group I’d go out and have a beer with, but I’ve always liked Jim,” Chambliss said. “He’s a pretty good guy.”

Sigma Chi brothers are now burning up the Internet with e-mails about the acrimonious Senate race and urging each other to deflect reporter inquiries about Martin and Chambliss during their frat days of long ago.

“It’s been pretty much been decided that what went on at Sigma Chi stays within walls of Sigma Chi,” said Don Charlton a frat brother of Martin’s and Chambliss’ during the mid-1960s. “Whoever becomes the next U.S. senator from Georgia will be a friend of mine and my fraternity brother.”

Charlton, who now lives in Nevada and does not vote in Georgia, organized an Athens Sigma Chi reunion in February. Both Chambliss and Martin attended with their wives.

He said his fellow frat brothers are split on the race, which has tightened and grown nastier in recent weeks, judging by the increasingly harsh televised attack ads.

“I know several people who support Saxby and some who are voting Jimmy,” Charlton said.

Macon attorney Jerry Harrell, 63, was in Chambliss’ Sigma Chi class at Georgia. The two were friends —- they once sold fruitcakes together for a summer job. Harrell said Martin got into the frat with Chambliss’ enthusiastic backing.

“Saxby and I pledged him up,” Harrell said. “We were a really close-knit as a fraternity. We studied togher, and we played together. It was great fun. We were all very close.”

John Ford, a 63-year-old Atlanta real estate investor, was in Martin’s class and a fellow frat brother.

“There was the drinking crowd and the non-drinking crowd,” Ford said jokingly of himself and Martin. “We were the nondrinking crowd.”

Ford said Martin —- a UGA class president —- was a bridge-builder at UGA, who could bring the Greek and non-Greek communities together. He backs Martin in the Senate race.

State Rep. Mickey Channell (R-Greensboro) was also at Sigma Chi with Martin and Chambliss.

He is voting for Chambliss. “Both of them are great guys,” Channell said. “It comes down to political philosophy. I just like Saxby’s politics better.”

Channell said it’s difficult to put into words what the fraternity has meant in his life. While he was at UGA, Channell said, his father suddenly died.

“Saxby and other about 30 fraternity brothers came to the funeral,” Channell said. “That meant a lot to me.”

Current UGA Sigma Chi chapter president Dixon Revell, 22, of Augusta said the race is a frequent topic of discussion at the Athens frat house these days.

A portrait of Chambliss hangs in the house as part of the “Significant Sig,” display —- six frat brothers who have achieved “outstanding distinction” in their professions.

Revell said his 130 frat brothers have not taken a straw poll on the race. And he does not plan one.

“We have people leaning both ways,” he said. “We’re just very proud that we have two frat brothers running for the U.S. Senate.”

The senior History major displayed some political skills of his own when asked which Sigma Chi brother he will get his vote Nov. 4.

“I haven’t made up my mind,” he said. “I’ve still got a few more weeks to decide.”