Ladies and Gentlemen, start your engines

Think of it as a classic LeMans-style start to a race: drivers have to first run to their cars, jump in, start the engine and pull out while other race cars whip past getting quickly up to speed. Any hesitation by a driver can significantly impact their starting position, and a driver quick on their feet can improve their starting position from the back of the pack. Here’s what it looks like:

How candidates react to the news yesterday that a federal judge, at the request of state officials, moved the 2014 Primary election date for federal races to its earliest date ever may change the order of who is leading in next year’s contested elections. State races are almost certain to adopt the May 20, 2014 Primary election date. Here’s what the schedule looks like from Greg Bluestein and Kristina Torres of the AJC:

March 3-7, 2014: Qualifying period for federal candidates

April 5, 2014: Deadline to transmit overseas ballots for federal primary

May 20, 2014: Federal primary election

June 7, 2014: Deadline to transmit overseas ballots for federal primary runoff (if needed)

July 22, 2014: Federal primary runoff election

Sept. 20, 2014: Deadline to transmit overseas ballots for the federal general election

Nov. 4, 2014: Federal general election

Nov. 22, 2014: Deadline to transmit overseas ballots for federal general runoff election (if needed)

Jan. 6, 2015: Federal general runoff election

An important date that’s not on that calendar: April 28, 2013, when early voting for the May 20th Primary is likely to begin if the length of the current period for in-person early voting is maintained.

For campaigns in the field now for 2014, the question is how quickly they can adapt to the new dates. Donna Sheldon was the first to answer that question, announcing yesterday her resignation from the State House in order to concentrate on her election to the Tenth District Congressional seat being vacated by Paul Broun.

DACULA, GA – Georgia State Representative Donna Sheldon (R-Dacula) today announced her resignation from the State House of Representatives in order to devote all of her energies to her campaign for U.S. Congress.

The timing of Sheldon’s move will save taxpayer dollars by eliminating the need for a special election that would have been necessary had she waited to resign because there is already an election scheduled for November in her district.

“I informed the Governor and Speaker of my intentions yesterday,” Sheldon said.  I am very proud to have represented my community for eleven years in the House and grateful beyond words to my friends and neighbors who have been so supportive of me.”

Sheldon’s resignation starts two possible sets of dominoes falling. First, her now-former colleagues in the Georgia General Assembly who are running for Congress will likely consider whether to resign as well. This list includes Senators Buddy Carter (1st) and Barry Loudermilk (11th) and State Representatives Ed Lindsey (11th) and Jeff Chapman (1st). Those who do not choose to follow Sheldon’s example may find themselves getting a shove from their competition and jostling from behind as the candidates to succeed them get increasingly active. Second, candidates to replace those members in legislative seats may find their races underway while they’re still on the sidelines.

In Sheldon’s legislative seat, Chuck Efstration, who has already announced and started raising money probably derives an advantage as his election is now slated for November. Bruce Thompson, whom I saw at David Shafer’s fundraiser last week is similarly advantaged in his campaign to succeed Senator Loudermilk, having banked $25,000 so far according to a press release yesterday, though Loudermilk has not yet announced his intentions on whether to resign or hold his seat.

In House District 54, currently held by Ed Lindsey, several Republicans have already announced, including Angelic Moore, Loretta Lepore and John McCloskey. I’d guess that Beth Beskin, who previously ran for State Senate and recently registered a campaign committee for HD 54 will make an announcement soon.

Political professionals will be cancelling or revising vacation plans as their services come in demand earlier.

Municipal elections underway

Early voting for the September 17th elections for Macon-Bibb County Mayor and Commission is now underway, with 525 voters casting ballots yesterday. Here is information on in-person early voting in Macon-Bibb.

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed surprised no one yesterday when he launched his reelection campaign.

Snellville voters can look forward to nasty campaigns, known locally as “days ending in ‘y’”. Embattled Mayor Kelly Kautz lauded the announcement by Dexter Harrison, son of Dwight Harrison, that he will run against City Council member Bobby Howard, part of the anti-Kautz faction known locally as “sane people.”

“Dexter Harrison has always been a great volunteer for our city. I believe that he would bring an open-mind and integrity to the city council,” said Mayor Kelly Kautz.

[Bobby] Howard, who’s served on the council for a half term of two years, is a native of Georgia who moved to Snellville in 1995. He owns a home repair and maintenance business, has been a supporter of the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Association and Care-for-Cops, and has actively supported the local police department in addition to other local organizations and projects.
“I would like to continue serving the citizens of our city for four more years, so I humbly ask for your support to continue making a positive difference in our city,” he said. “I think that’s more important now than ever before because as you know, there has been a lot of negative publicity during the past two years,” he added, noting legal news involving the mayor.

 

Three seats are up for election on the Snellville City Council and all will see contested elections.

Three seats are on the ballot for the city council, and those seats are currently held by Mayor Pro Tem Tom Witts, Councilman Bobby Howard and Councilman Mike Sabbagh. All three incumbents qualified Monday for re-election.

Former Mayor Pro Tem and six-year councilwoman Barbara Bender qualified to run [for] Sabbagh’s seat.

Running for Witts’ seat is Alisa Boykin.

 

Shafer fundraiser

With Governor Nathan Deal out of town on a mission trip to bring new jobs and business to Georgia, the center of Georgia’s political universe shifted one day last week to Ormsby’s, where Senate President Pro Tem David Shafer held a fundraiser.

+1 to Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens for telling a true and truly amusing anecdote as he introduced Senator Shafer.

+1 also awarded to Georgia Public Service Commissioner Doug Everett (above), who is running for reelection next year and +1 to Bruce Thompson (below) who is the only announced candidate for Barry Loudermilk’s senate seat. The points are awarded for having the presence of mind to have their photos made with one of Georgia’s most powerful elected officials.

Women’s Equality (in voting) Week continues

With more than half the electorate composed of women, we’d be stupid to only observe the 93d anniversary of their winning the vote with a single day. One of Georgia’s most prominent women Republicans emailed yesterday to note the continuing existence of Maggie’s List, a national fundraising group dedicated to electing conservative women to federal office.

Following yesterday’s news that Democrat Michelle Nunn has been endorsed by liberal special interest group EMILY’s List, the Georgia Republican Party called on Nunn to renounce the endorsement.

Yesterday, Jennifer Yarber was named Director of the Georgia Senate Press Office, an upgrade from her previous job of Interim Director and previously Deputy Director.

“Jennifer’s extensive experience in strategic messaging, organizational management and media relations has been a tremendous asset to the Senate Press Office. Jennifer is a talented communicator who possesses a wealth of experience from both the public and private sector. During her time with the Senate, Jennifer has shown extraordinary leadership and organizational abilities and is a welcome addition to help lead our communication efforts forward,” said Sen. Shafer.

Jennifer is a true professional and under her leadership, the Senate Press Office has improved the service they provide our state senators, and the people of Georgia. She deserves the job. Congratulations.