A Carter for Governor?

In the last hour, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Jason Carter will run for Governor of Georgia against incumbent Republican Nathan Deal. From the story by Greg Bluestein:

Democratic state Sen. Jason Carter will challenge Gov. Nathan Deal next year in a move that catapults the gubernatorial contest into the national spotlight and tests whether Georgia’s changing demographics can loosen the Republican Party’s 12-year grip on the state’s highest office.

Carter’s decision, which he announced Wednesday in an exclusive interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, is another step along the trail forged by his famous grandfather Jimmy Carter, who was elected to the state Senate and then the Governor’s Mansion before winning the presidency.

“We can’t wait as a state,” said Jason Carter, who plans to formally announce his candidacy Thursday. “The bottom line is we can’t afford four more years of an economy that’s not working for the middle class and an education system that’s underfunded. It’s not about politics. It’s about making sure we can get the state that we need.”

Carter, 38, becomes the second high-profile Democratic scion to compete for a spot on Georgia’s 2014 ticket. Senate candidate Michelle Nunn, the daughter of former U.S. Sen. Sam Nunn, is her party’s front-runner in the crowded contest to replace retiring Republican U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss.

Carter, who is not stepping down from office, pitches himself as a fiscal conservative who will revamp an education funding system he derides as a “shell game” and restore trust in the government.

Whether his grandfather will be an asset or liability in the eyes of Georgians remains unknown. The elder Carter canvassed door to door with his grandson days before the 2010 election, and he’s popular among many Georgia Democrats. But, like Michelle Nunn’s family connection, the biggest benefit will likely be Carter’s ability to tap his grandfather’s donor network.

“He’s my grandfather and he cares about me and we talk,” the younger Carter said. “But at the end of the day, this campaign will be about getting Georgia back to where it needs to be. It’s about the future and not my family.”

Carter currently represents the GaPundit household in the Georgia Senate, and I’ll say he’s been responsive to constituents and tolerable if we can’t have a Republican. He’s a talented politician and his inherited celebrity and his and his grandfather’s rolodexes will make him a formidable candidate, though I personally believe he’s highly unlikely to be our next Governor.

The fact that Carter says he plans to retain his seat in the state Senate means three things: first, a flurry of fundraising before the General Assembly convenes and state candidates are no longer able to raise money. The May 20 date for the Senate Primary and a likely change in the state primary to coincide will mean very little time for fundraising between the end of the Session and the Primary election.

Second, it will almost certainly mean that Senate Democrats shine a light on the problematic case of Senator Don Balfour, who has indicated that he plans to take his seat in the Senior Chamber.

Third, it probably gives new impetus to Senator Josh McKoon’s Constitutional Amendment to allow the Attorney General greater authority to pursue official corruption by allowing him to empanel a statewide grand jury and bring indictments for corruption alleged to have occurred anywhere in Georgia.

Rumor Mill

We’re also hearing rumors that State Rep. Alisha Thomas Morgan (D-Cobb) will announce a campaign for State School Superintendent on Monday.

Donna Sheldon: Terms Limit Congress, Senate

Former State Rep. and Republican Caucus Chair Donna Sheldon (R-Dacula) has proposed twelve-year term limits in her bid for Congress from the 10th District and will embark on a tour of the district in support of the plan.

“Many of the problems coming out of Washington today are caused by a culture of incumbency protection and career politician mindset,” Donna said.  “If Congress was looking out for citizens rather than themselves, they would make better laws and policies.”

Sheldon proposed a limit on both senators and congressmen of 12 years – 2 terms for senators and 6 for congressmen.  “If you can’t make a difference in 12 years, you shouldn’t be there in the first place,” Sheldon said.

One benefit to this plan that Donna highlighted was the positive impact on legislation.   “If members of Congress know they are going to have to live under the laws they pass and that they will have to do so soon, they will make better laws,” she said.

Donna’s tour will take her Winder, Monroe, Hamilton Mill, Watkinsville, Greensboro, Covington, Jackson, Milledgeville, Eatonton and Monticello.

Conservative Events Calendar

Tonight from 6:30 to 8:30 PM, the Coffee County Republican Party will hold its monthly meeting at South Georgia College in the Small Dining Room. Dinner is at 6:30PM

Contact: 229-392-6926 or pcaucci@rtaylorins.com for more details.

Saturday, November 9, 2013 from 8:30 to 10:15 AM, the Fulton County Republican Party will hold a breakfast at the Doubletree by Hilton Atlanta / Roswell, 1075 Holcomb Bridge Road Roswell, GA 30076. Congressman Tom Price and Georgia Republican Party Chairman John Padgett will be speaking. Also addressing voters will be 2 candidates running for the new North Fulton County Commission seat: Bob Ellis and Eric Broadwell.

Saturday, November 9 from 9 AM to 2 PM, the Americans for Prosperity Foundation will host a major `Freedom Conference’ at the Hilton Garden Inn, 207 Willie Lee Parkway, Warner Robins GA 31093 addressing GA Tax Reform, Affordable Care Act & Common Core.

Americans For Prosperity Foundation, the nation’s premiere grassroots organization for promoting economic freedom, will host a “Middle GA Freedom Conference” featuring expert panels on a number of issues affecting the State. Topics will include pro-growth tax reform, school choice in Georgia, the impact of the Affordable Care Act on health insurance and health care, Common Core curriculum standards and state spending. The event will feature a variety of Ga- based groups including GA Center for Opportunity, GA Public Policy Foundation, Georgians For Fair Taxation, American Principles Project, GA Charter Schools Association, Docs4PatientCare and others.

AFP Foundation State Director Virginia Galloway explains, “Georgia needs more educational freedom of choice and economic freedom through pro growth tax reform. These kinds of efforts will make Georgia a jobs machine and AFPF Georgia members are on the forefront of these movements! The Freedom Conference will send a loud message by empowering concerned citizens from around the area!”

Click here to register for the event online.

The Georgia Republican Assembly will be holding a major event, called “Let Freedom Ring,” on Saturday, November 16, 2013 at the Atlanta Airport Hilton. I’ll almost certainly be there unless my niece advances in her tennis tournament this weekend and causes a scheduling conflict. Even if it didn’t look like a great event, I’d go because Pat Tippett told me to, and doing whatever Ms. Pat says is always a good policy.