The race for Georgia governor is quietly taking shape more than three years before the election. Over at myajc.com, we have a deeper look at what could be a crowded and wide-open field.
Republicans hope to maintain their grip on an office they've held since 2002, but some worry about the prospect of a bloody primary battle. Across the aisle, there's an equal amount of fidgeting as three of the Democratic party's rising stars circle each other.
And there's always a chance another name, perhaps a relative unknown, emerges between now and 2018. After all, three years before the 2010 campaign, Deal was a low-profile congressman from Gainesville who was hardly mentioned as a contender for governor.
One candidate, Libertarian Doug Craig, is already in the race. And some other surprising names have surfaced. We chatted with former Gov. Sonny Perdue about the whispers that he could mount a comeback bid after two earlier terms in office.
Here's what he said:
Q: So the rumors aren't coming from you?
"I had a candidate come up to me and say 'I hear you're going to try to talk me out of running.' I said, 'Well, sometimes rumors are true.'"
Meanwhile, top Deal aide Chris Riley offers a note of warning for those who are already jockeying behind the scenes.
“I just assumed the field respected the current governor enough not to get out in front of this governor before the ‘16 cycle,” said Riley.
About the Author
