Saxby Chambliss is more than a U.S. senator to many in his hometown of Moultrie. He’s a tangible lifeline between South Georgia residents and Washington, a standout in the dwindling ranks of influential politicians from the region.
That’s why the hand-wringing over Chambliss’ decision not to stand for re-election next year goes beyond the typical lamenting over a native son’s departure. Some here view it as the most profound signal yet of South Georgia’s flickering influence in state and federal politics.
That tectonic political shift has cleared the way for stiff new immigration laws and Sunday alcohol sales that many in the region have long opposed. It has also left fewer politicians who understand the agrarian issues that have for so long powered Georgia’s economy.
Read about how the waning influence of the state’s rural bloc has reshaped Georgia’s politics in print or tablet editions of Sunday’s AJC.
About the Author
