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Qualifying Week Open Thread

[5/2 - 4:44pm] Here are some final notes from qualifying:
This is what I have so far, but it could change. Let give an explanation of what is below. "Open seats" are seats that have no incumbent legislator. If there will be a Democrat and Republican in the general election, I listed it as "competitive." That doesn't necessarily mean that it is a swing seat or up for grabs.

Some incumbents may have primary and general election opposition, however I didn't make note of them here. Everything else should be self explanatory. If you have a question, leave a comment.

State Senate:

  • Open Seats – 2
    • Competitive – 0

  • Incumbents with primary opposition – 14
    • Democrats – 8
    • GOP – 6
  • Incumbents with general election opposition – 19
    • Democrats – 6
    • GOP – 13

State House:

  • Open Seats – 17
    • Competitive – 4

  • Incumbents with primary opposition – 25
    • Democrats – 13
    • GOP – 12
  • Incumbents with general election opposition – 34
    • Democrats – 11
    • GOP – 23

[5/2 -11:50am] Here are some notes from the final day of qualifying:
- Josh Lanier is the fifth (and likely, the last) Democratic Party candidate to qualify for the US Senate. That primary should be fun.
- State Rep. Mable Thomas qualified after yesterday's update to run in the 5th CD primary against Markel Hutchins and incumbent John Lewis.
- Jeff Scott (D) qualified to run against incumbent Nathan Deal (R-9th CD)in the general election.
- Bud Gammon (D) qualified to run against incumbent Phil Gingrey (R-11th CD) in the general election.
- Democrats are running candidates in every congressional race. I wonder if they'll send a press release out bragging about that like they did in 2006. It's actually sad that they did that.
- Qualifying ends in ten minutes. I'll have one final update later in the afternoon.

[5/1 - 4:03pm] Here are some notes from day four of qualifying:
- Rand Knight qualified for US Senate. He is the forth candidate to jump into the Democratic primary.
- She hasn't qualified yet, but State Rep. Mable Thomas will run against John Lewis in the 5th CD. When she does qualify Lewis will have two challengers in the primary.
- There are several primary challenges from both chambers, especially in the Senate. Eleven Senators and twenty House members face primary opposition as of today.
- Gail Buckner, a former State Representative and 2006 DPG nominee for Secretary of State, qualified to run in the 44th Senate District. Sen. Davenport now has three challengers in the Democratic primary.

[4/30 - 4:02pm] Here are some notes from day three of qualifying:
- Dale Cardwell qualified to run for the Democratic primary for US Senate against Jim Martin and Vernon Jones.
- Lynn Westmoreland picked up opposition for the general election as Stephen Camp, a Democrat from Newnan, qualified today.
- Markel Hutchins qualified to run against John Lewis in the Democratic primary in the 5th CD.
- Two more Republicans qualified in the 12th CD, Ray McKinney and Ben Crystal will face John Stone on July 15th.
- Nathan Deal and Hank Johnson are the only members of the Congressional delegation without primary or general election opposition.
- Nothing much new in state legislative races. I think the biggest surprise so far is State Rep. John Yates (R-Griffin) picking up primary opposition in Rick Williams of Fayetteville. I wonder if this is the same Rick Williams that works with the Fayette County Democrats.

[4/29 -5:30pm] Here are some notes from day two of qualifying:
- Former State Rep. Jim Martin and and DeKalb CEO Vernon Jones have qualified to run against Saxby Chambliss for US Senate.
- Lynn Westmoreland and Jim Marshall both qualified today. This means that all of the incumbent Congressmen from Georgia have qualified for re-election.
- Deborah Honeycutt (R) qualified to face for David Scott's seat (Scott has primary opposition).
- John Stone is the first Republican to qualify to run for John Barrow's seat (Barrow has primary opposition).
- Lee Ferrell (R) qualified to run against Sanford Bishop (D) in November.
- Thus far, Gingrey, Wesmoreland, Johnson and Lewis have no opposition in either the primary or general election (though it is expected that Lewis will have one by the end of the week).
- State senators Jeff Chapman, Nancy Schaefer, Ed Harbison and Gail Davenport have picked up primary opposition.
- Several House members have also picked up primary opposition.

[4/28 - 4:05pm] Here are more notes from qualifying:
- State Senator Regina Thomas has qualified to run in the Democratic primary against US Rep. John Barrow.
- US Rep. Lynn Westmoreland has not qualified, making him the only Republican incumbent not to do so.
- There was some speculation that Barry Fleming would not qualify to run against US Rep. Paul Broun. He did in fact qualify.
- State Rep. Sharon Beasley-Teague (D-65th) has at least three challengers in the primary. Teague is under an ethics investigation.

[4/28 - 11:37am] A couple races I've noticed already:
- US Rep. David Scott (D-13th) will get a primary challenge from former State Senator Donzella James.
- US Rep. Jim Marshall (D-8th) will also have a challenge in the primary from Robert Nowak.

We'll find out this week what state legislators and members of Congress are seeking re-election as qualifying begins. Candidates may register until May 2nd at noon. Here is a list of offices up for election this year and the qualifying fees associated with them.

The Secretary of State has an up to date list of candidates who are qualifying.

State Rep. Steve Davis was one of the first in line to qualify:

As qualifying began everyone seems very energinized on the Republican side. As promised I was the first person to qualify followed up by Katie Dempsey from Rome. Others near the front included Sen Chapman (Glenn Cty), Rep Ramsey (Peachtree City), Rep Holt (Covington), and as I was leaving most of the House Leadership (Richardson, Keen, Burkhalter, and others) were coming in. Its official and its time to get the campaigns rolling!
I'll be keeping an eye on this and update throughout the week.

Posted by Jason on May 2, 2008 11:50 AM |

Comments

Pedro Marin in Norcross now has a GOP opponent in the General.

Norcross City Councilman Keith Shewbert qualifies for 96th district seat.

I am proud to announce my candidacy for the 96th district seat in the Georgia House of Representatives. While serving as Norcross city councilman and board member of the Gwinnett Village CID I have seen progress toward the goal of revitalizing Southwest Gwinnett, but there is serious work ahead of us. My campaign will be about “Thoughtful Progress Together”. Together we will move forward to revitalize, redevelop, and secure our neighborhoods. Together we will create a receptive climate for small business creation, and attract new companies that bring quality jobs. Together we will give our schools the support they need to succeed. Working with our partners in the city of Norcross, Gwinnett County, Gwinnett Village and Gwinnett Place CID’s, Chamber of Commerce, and community groups we will develop solutions that improve security, quality of life, and property values in the 96th district. I look forward to engaging the community in a positive dialogue on how to achieve our common goals. More information about my campaign is available at www.Norcross2020.com. Together we can accomplish great things.

Posted by: Chris Farris | April 30, 2008 04:23 PM

I'm proud of the Democratic Party of Georgia for fielding a candidate in every Congressional race.

The Democratic Party of Georgia will guarantee that even the "little man" will be given a voice at the table in the 2008 elections.

Posted by: Trev | May 2, 2008 06:07 PM