Unbelievable news today in the Georgia governor’s race as Republican front runner and current Lt. Governor Casey Cagle drops out of the race.
http://blogs.ajc.com/gold-dome…
Cagle told reporters he has had back and neck pain for several years, but it progressed during the 2009 session to the point where he had some paralysis. He tried therapy, but was advised that he needed surgery.
“I’ve been diagnosed with some serious nerve and bone problems and a degenerative spinal condition,” he told reporters at a Capitol news conference. ” The issue could be hereditary or it could be the result of an old injury, but the unfortunate reality is that it requires immediate surgical treatment.”
While the “back problems” may have sealed the deal for Cagle there are also rumors circulating that he may have had an alleged affair with a female staffer in his office. This announcement however makes any investigation into that largely irrelevant.
This is great news for Georgia Democrats as this moves the race from what I would call a Lean GOP to a true tossup as no other GOP contenders really stand out at the top of their field of 3 (Insurance Commissioner Oxendine has many ethical questions surrounding him and SOS Karen Handel is hated for the partisan hackery she displayed in the 2008 elections and viewed as pretty inept the other candidate is a non name state representative from rural south GA).
Democrats also have a contested primary with former Adj. General David Poythress, State Minority leader Dubose Porter and Attorney General Thurbert Baker in the mix.
its just shocking that Cagle dropped out. This clears the field for Oxedine to run as the conservative in the race, as Handel, who used to be Chairman of Commissioners of Fulton County, a fairly liberal place, is actually a little moderate for Georgia Republican tastes. I could actually see Baker winning against Oxedine.
I’m still having trouble getting my mind around the fact that these two governorships may swing our way this cycle. I was thinking we were going to surround the South (We surround them, Mr. Beck!) and take control of the rest of the country. Still amazing we’re competitive.
Is there anyone else who might jump in on the GOP side now? Is the Insurance Commissioner really their top candidate?
I guess it’s a pretty even shot here between Oxendine and Handel. Oxendine probably has higher name recognition because we all see his name near the gas pumps every time we go to fill up. Handel is mostly known by Democrats for doing everything in her power last year to make early voting harder. But Cagle would have been the odds-on favorite.
On the Dem side, Baker is the frontrunner unless Roy Barnes jumps in for a comeback. Anyone know whether Zell actually plans to endorse Baker or not?
I guess it’s a pretty even shot here between Oxendine and Handel. Oxendine probably has higher name recognition because we all see his name near the gas pumps every time we go to fill up. Handel is mostly known by Democrats for doing everything in her power last year to make early voting harder. But Cagle would have been the odds-on favorite.
On the Dem side, Baker is the frontrunner unless Roy Barnes jumps in for a comeback. Anyone know whether Zell actually plans to endorse Baker or not?
It keeps us from blowing a lot of money on the Lt. Governor’s race instead of more important areas like the Secretary of State, School Superintendent, Public Service Commission, etc. It also keeps us from risking seats (such as State Senator Tim Golden’s Valdosta-area seat and the Labor Commissioner’s seat).