Button Gwinnett, one of Georgia’s signers of the Declaration of Independence, was born on April 10, 1735 in Gloucester, England, though some authorities say it was his baptism that was recorded that day. Gwinnett also served in the Georgia legislature, where he wrote the first draft of the state Constitution and served as Speaker.
General Robert E. Lee gave his last address to the Army of Northern Virginia on April 10, 1865.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was founded on April 10, 1866.
On April 10, 1947, Jackie Robinson became the first African-American professional major league baseball player when the Brooklyn Dodgers bought his contract.
Winners of the Masters Tournament on April 10 include Sam Snead (1949), Gary Player (1961), Tom Watson (1977) and Tiger Woods (4th – 2005).
Campaigns and Elections
In forty days, voters go to the polls in the May 20th Primary Elections. If your campaign is not firing on all cylinders, you’re in very deep trouble. Early voting begins in 18 days.
The voter registration deadline for the May 20, 2014 Primary Election is April 21st.
You can register to vote online using the official “GA Votes” app on your iphone or check your voter registration and absentee ballot application status on the Secretary of State’s MVP page. The “GA Votes” app is also available for Android.
Today, you can begin the early voting process by printing this Application for Official Absentee Ballot and mail, fax, email (as an attachment) or take in person to your local county board of elections.
SuperPACs come to play in Georgia
On the heels of news that a conservative SuperPAC that is attacking presumed Democratic nominee Michelle Nunn has also aimed its fire at Congressman Phil Gingrey in the Senate race comes word that The American Future Fund will be spending money in the Peach State to support Karen Handel’s candidacy for Senate.
The American Future Fund, a heavy-spending national conservative group, is preparing to shake up the Georgia Senate race by throwing its support behind Republican Karen Handel in the state’s unsettled GOP primary.
A former Georgia secretary of state and Susan G. Komen official, Handel has attracted some national support – Sarah Palin recently endorsed her – but has struggled to raise money. AFF’s backing could offer a critical boost against better-funded opponents, including former Reebok CEO David Perdue and Rep. Jack Kingston.
AFF president Nick Ryan said in an email that Handel is an “excellent conservative record and is a proven leader.”
“Karen will be an outstanding U.S. Senator and we will do everything we can do ensure she is successful,” Ryan said.
AFF and Ending Spending are the first two truly big-spending groups on the right to engage in the Georgia race, though several activist outfits have issued endorsements. A number of the country’s best-financed conservative groups – including the Chamber of Commerce, American Crossroads and the harder-line Club for Growth – have not yet signaled whether they will get involved in the primary.
The first quarter reports for federal candidates are not yet due, but Jack Kingston says he will report raising $1.1 million during the period.
Kingston’s quarterly haul stemmed in part from 45 fundraisers and meet-and-greets held from January through March, the campaign said, and 89 percent of the total haul were from within the Peach State. Kingston ended March with $2.1 million in cash on hand.
“The generosity of so many both in volunteer hours and financial support has been overwhelming,” Kingston said in a statement. “Libby and I cannot thank everyone enough for their dedication to our campaign. Together we can retake the Senate and restore the American Dream.”
David Perdue has released his third television ad in the crying babies series.
Sabato rating change for Georgia Governor race
UVA Political Scientist Larry Sabato’s “Crystal Ball” has moved the Georgia Governor’s race between incumbent Republican Nathan Deal and Democratic challenger Jason Carter to “Leans Republican,” a downgrade in GOP chances from “Likely Republican.” The change is on the basis of the $700k verdict for former Georgia State Ethics Commission Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Reform Executive Director Stacey Kalberman against the agency she once headed and Carter’s impressive first-quarter fundraising haul.
Pew rates Georgia 32d for Election Administration
Pew Charitable Trusts rated Georgia 32d in the nation in its Election Performance Index. Areas in which Georgia turned in low scores include Date Completeness (40), Percentage of Military and Overseas Ballots Returned (44), and 42d in Voting Wait Time with an average wait of just under 18 minutes.
Georgia Right to Life Endorses
Georgia Right to Life has released additional endorsements. In the race for State School Superintendent, Republican Nancy Jester received the GRTL-PAC endorsement as did Mary Kay Bacallao, also a Republican.
State Rep. Delvis Dutton, a Republican, received the endorsement in his bid for the Twelfth Congressional District spot to take on incumbent Democrat John Barrow.
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