DuBose Porter's chances of staying at the helm of the Democratic Party of Georgia just improved.
Tharon Johnson, the McKenna Long & Aldridge strategist and Democratic guru, sent us word that he won't be challenging Porter at the party's Jan. 31 election. He said in a statement he wants the state party to unite "to develop a winning strategy for voter registration, education and mobilization." And he hopes to meet with the chair to "ensure we have the correct roadmap to turn Georgia blue again."
Porter and other Democratic leaders took plenty of heat after a field led by Jason Carter and Michelle Nunn were swept by Republicans in November elections. Johnson, in particular, criticized Porter for saying he wouldn't have done anything differently.
And Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed said he wouldn't be backing Porter's bid for another term because he doesn't think "the kind of failure we saw in November 2014 should be rewarded in politics." Reed unsuccessfully backed a rival to Porter in 2013 and is close to Johnson, who ran his first mayoral campaign, leading to speculation that he could seek the post.
If Johnson had run, he would have faced a tough fight. Porter has tapped many allies to key board posts and scheduled the Jan. 31 meeting for Macon, not far from his middle Georgia base. He still faces another opponent, Rockdale Tax Commissioner R.J. Hadley, who lost a longshot bid two years ago for the post.
The deadline for candidates for the job is at 5 p.m. today and a party spokesman says no other contenders have yet emerged. We'll keep you posted.
Here's Johnson's full statement:
Most Democrats want to see a new strategic direction in Georgia. We can't keep doing the same thing and expect a different result. This is not a personal attack on anyone, but the party has not achieved its goals, especially as the state's demographics have changed. We must move beyond the old paradigm of Atlanta vs. rural areas, black vs. white and other divisive factions if we are going to win. And we must get young voters --- Millennials --- excited and involved in our efforts from the grassroots level to leadership positions.
That's why I am as committed as ever to working with state party leaders and elected officials to refocus and rebuild the Democratic Party of Georgia. The state party must come together now --- not in 2016 or 2018 --- to develop a winning strategy for voter registration, education and mobilization. In the next 30 days, I am willing to meet with the State Party Chairman and other leaders to rebuild DPG's foundation and ensure we have the correct roadmap to turn Georgia blue again."
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