GA-Sen: Thurmond Will Challenge Isakson

In today’s digest, we mentioned that Georgia Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond was leaning towards a bid against frosh GOP Sen. Johnny Isakson. That was a nice bit of unexpected good news, considering that most of the chatter surrounding a Thurmond candidacy seemed purely grounded on hypothetical speculation. It now looks like you can take a Thurmond candidacy to the bank:

State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond, a Democrat, on Tuesday will announce his entrance into the U.S. Senate race against Republican Johnny Isakson.

Thurmond, one two remaining Democrats holding statewide office, had been spoken of as a candidate for lieutenant governor.

But many Democrats had expressed concern that a strong bid for governor could be affected by the lack of a strong candidate at the top of the ticket running against Isakson.

While a recent R2K poll gave Isakson a 53-26 lead over Thurmond, this is still good news all around for Georgia Democrats. Thurmond’s candidacy will be expected to help gin up turnout among African-American voters, and perhaps enjoy some reciprocal benefits from the gubernatorial candidacy of ex-Gov. Roy Barnes.

19 thoughts on “GA-Sen: Thurmond Will Challenge Isakson”

  1. I thought Jim Martin was down by double digits against Saxby Chambliss early on (maybe not by that much but still a lot). At least maybe the NRSC will have to waste some $$$ here.

  2. What were the approval ratings/knowns vs unknowns in this poll for Baker?  If he’s relatively unknown, this could shape up to be a race the NRSC has to spend money on!

  3. At the very least, it eliminates a gaping hole at the top of the ballot for us.  Now, we need someone to run for Labor Commissioner, Agriculture Commissioner, and people to run for the open seats of Republican state reps. Jerry Keen, Austin Scott, and David Casas (Allan Burns is said to be running, but I’ve seen nothing official from him).

  4. I know it’s the AJC who made the mistake, but there’s actually 3 Democrats holding statewide office Thurbert Baker (AG), Michael Thurmond (Labor), and Tommmy Irvin (Agriculture).

    From the Georgia Dept. of Agriculture website:

    Tommy Irvin’s tenure as the longest serving Commissioner of Agriculture in the United States spans more than 41 years of a 54-year-plus career in public service. He also is the longest serving statewide official in Georgia.

  5. in this race is Isakson’s recent ill health episodes.

    He’s pooh-poohed it, but campaigning politicians almost always do that.

    It’s nice to have a good candidate in place like Thurmond in case events change.

  6. Surely is not the best (I think still in Max Cleland) but is one of bests.

    Republicans have a problem in Georgia this year.

  7. Baker loses the GA-Gov primary to Barnes, then what?  Baker just sits around for the next couple years waiting for a spot to open up?

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