Former state GOP chairman Sue Everhart has declared herself an ally of former Hall County commissioner Ashley Bell in the primary race for state school superintendent.
While not unexpected, the endorsement is important. To use a spy thriller metaphor, Everhart was one of those who helped bring Bell in from the Democratic cold – and into the embrace of the GOP in 2010.
The hugs haven't always been warm. From Everhart:
"He knew he would have a tough battle ahead of him as a Republican candidate in his district but he put personal conviction above political expediency and switched parties, which ultimately cost him his commission seat."
As today's column points out, Bell is one of two African-American candidates in the nine-person GOP field. The other black candidate in the race, Fitz Johnson of Cobb County, has raised the most cash. He may be the object of this bit of rhetoric from Everhart:
"Where is his main primary opponent when it comes to carrying the Republican banner and opposing Common Core? Ashley took an early stand against Common Core and has been clear in his opposition from the beginning.
"Any effort to bring into question Ashley's commitment to the Republican Party is simply disingenuous and a desperate attempt to take a cheap shot at the frontrunner in this race."
Updated: Just got this message from Bell campaign spokesman Seth Weathers: "To clarify, the beneficiary of Sue's remark in regard to Ashley's pro-Common Core opponent is indeed Fitz Johnson."
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