Jim Martin considering U.S. Senate run
March 10, 2008 at 5:09 pm by John F. Sugg in NewsThe Democrats, a big party without many big-name candidates for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Saxby Chambliss, may have found their man: former state representative (for almost two decades), former commissioner of Human Resources (under both Govs. Roy Barnes and Sonny Perdue) and former lieutenant governor candidate Jim Martin.
Martin is well-liked and well-known around the state. On the other hand, his lite guv race, won by Republican Casey Cagle, wasn’t one that will be studied in future decades as an example of excitement and innovation.
The Dems have been searching for a candidate after a Zogby poll earlier this year showed Chambliss with remarkably low ratings — in large part because he is so entwined with the disastrous regime of George Bush. The poll showed only 38 percent of those surveyed felt Chambliss deserved another term. In a hypothetical match-up with an unnamed Democrat, Chambliss lost.
Currently running for Chambliss’ seat as Democrats are DeKalb County CEO Vernon Jones; Army veteran and ex-congressional staffer Josh Lanier; and Dale Cardwell, former investigative reporter for WSB-TV/Channel 2. None of those three is seen as a strong candidate. Jones’ personal life and affinity for Republicans raise big questions about his viability. Lanier and Cardwell are political novices.
March 10th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
If Jim decide to make a run, it will be a good and winning race.
Go for it Jim,
If your family approve a go for it….
March 11th, 2008 at 8:02 am
1) Jim Martin got crushed by Casey Cagle in a race for an open seat. He ran a very poor campaign that never seemed to get off the ground.
2) Vernon is not going to roll over and drop out with the entrance of a new candidate. I also think that Vernon, despite all his detractors, would win the primary.
3) This current rumor is just the flavor of the week. Every week a new name emerges and then fades away.
March 11th, 2008 at 9:10 am
The matchup in the Zogby poll you referred to was a “blind bio” match between Chambliss and Josh Lanier. Lanier bio 47%, Chambliss 45%. http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.dbm?ID=1439
The poll also found that 64% of Georgians agreed with Lanier’s call for clean elections and the Fair Elections Now Act.
It appears that Georgians don’t necessarily share the insider position as to whom is a “strong” candidate.
March 11th, 2008 at 9:35 am
I feel its my duty to point out that a “blind bio” poll is not representative at all of how a general election actually plays out.
March 11th, 2008 at 9:39 am
You forgot about Rand Knight, who was recently endorsed by the teamsters. Isn’t this cycle about change? If so, then why not support Rand? Doesn’t he remind you a bit of Ned Lamont (except without the self-funding capabilities)?
March 11th, 2008 at 10:34 am
Please note, that zogby has the worst record this year in a year of bad polling. This is the guy whose poll said that Obama would win California byt 10pts. Zogby is horrible this year
March 12th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Where did this statement that he is considering a U.S. Senate run come from?
Don’t forget Maggie Martinez who is running as well.
Sorry but this has been discussed before and I think he even shot it down.