The Marietta Daily Journal – Barge to consider entering governor s race

ATLANTA — State Schools Superintendent John Barge said Tuesday he’s considering a campaign to challenge Gov. Nathan Deal next year, raising the possibility of a heated Republican primary with a focus on the state of education and school funding in Georgia.

Barge, who is nearing the end of his first term, said in an interview with The Associated Press and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that running for governor is one of a few options he’s considering and plans to make a final decision by early September. He has not ruled out running for a second term.

“I’m convinced things can be done differently,” said Barge, a former Bartow County school administrator. “Part of the frustration for us, to be able to accomplish what we need to accomplish, we need support. … It’s not only financial. It’s also encouragement, it’s standing with us.”

Although Deal would still be considered a favorite, Barge’s entrance into the race would force the governor to spend more of his campaign cash during the primary to defend his record. Dalton Mayor David Pennington, who earlier announced a primary challenge to Deal, is expected to attack the governor’s fiscal stewardship of the state. And Barge would likely look to make education funding a top issue and make a play for support from teachers’ groups.

It’s the scenario that then-state GOP Chair Sue Everhart warned about earlier this year at a gathering of Georgia Republicans, when she urged the party’s faithful to rally around Deal, saying the governor had earned the right not to face a primary challenge. Meanwhile, Democrats, who are gearing up for Democrat Michelle Nunn’s bid for the U.S. Senate seat of retiring Republican Saxby Chambliss, have yet to field a candidate for governor though they are working to recruit someone for the race.

via The Marietta Daily Journal – Barge to consider entering governor s race.