Roswell Mayor Jere Wood is gearing up to challenge state Rep. Betty Price for a Georgia House seat, setting up a potential primary battle between two prominent Republicans in the conservative-leaning north Atlanta suburbs.
Wood, who served as mayor for 20 years until a judge ruled he can't seek another term, was coy about his plans. He would neither confirm or deny a race for the seat, only saying he's "thinking about" a run and will make his announcement on Wednesday - the day after local elections.
But his aim to run for the seat is an open secret in Roswell, where he's told friends and supporters of his impending candidacy and the news has already spread on social media.
Price is a physician and wife of former U.S. Rep. Tom Price, who recently resigned as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services amid mounting questions about his use of private and military jets at taxpayer expense.
Price has landed in hot water of her own over comments about whether there was a legal way to quarantine people with HIV. She has said her remarks at the state legislative hearing were taken "completely out of context."
In a text message on Wednesday, Price made clear she's running for re-election and is ready for the challenge. She said it's a privilege to represent the district in the Georgia House and that she looks forward to "continuing in that capacity to positively solve the challenges facing Georgians."
(Greg Bluestein)
***
Gay rights group Georgia Equality has thrown its support behind Mary Norwood, hours after its favorite candidate also endorsed the city councilwoman's mayoral bid.
The organization said it backed Norwood over Councilwoman Keisha Lance Bottoms because of a detailed plan that includes a Cabinet-level LGBT liaison and her support for a state anti-discrimination measure that includes sexual orientation and gender identity.
It had earlier endorsed former City Council President Cathy Woolard, who finished in third-place in the November vote. She backed Norwood on Wednesday after hosting a forum with both candidates to help hash out her decision. (GB)
***
Top Emory University officials raised major objections to the tax overhaul moving on Capitol Hill hours before Georgia's two U.S. senators joined their Republican colleagues to advance the effort. The University's Senate and Faculty Council wrote to the state's lawmakers in Congress this week, warning them that the House and Senate tax bills could "create hardships for many members of our community and "increase financial burdens for many Emory employees." They outline their concerns here. (TH)
***
Across Capitol Hill on Wednesday, election security experts told a House committee that the touch screen voting machines used by states such as Georgia could be easily compromised by hackers. Our Cox colleague Justin Gray breaks down their recommendations on WSB-TV. (TH)
***
Gov. Nathan Deal may be compelled to testify in the Dawsonville trial of a citizen journalist arrested for videotaping a Republican rally in 2014, according to our colleague Chris Joyner. A judge in the case of Nydia Tisdale ordered lawyers to coordinate times with Deal's team for a possible appearance on the witness stand. Deal was speaking at the event where Tisdale was arrested. (TH)
About the Author
