Runoffs bring good news to Clayton Co., etc.
August 6, 2008 at 9:51 am by Scott Henry in NewsWe haven’t seen turnout figures yet for yesterday’s runoffs, but the results in most cases seemed to confirm predictions.
The Democratic Senate nominee, of course, is former Atlanta lawmaker Jim Martin, having trounced DeKalb CEO Vernon Jones 60% to 40%.
Some folks might look at this result as the triumph of funding, since Martin entered the race late, spent little time stumping across the state and instead focused his efforts on collecting enough money from PACs and other sources to wage a TV campaign. That’s all true, but Martin did have high name recognition and none of the negatives that Jones brought to the table.
Martin’s victory opens the door for an aggressive, high-dollar assault on GOP incumbent Saxby Chambliss this fall. It all but ensures that top Senate Democrats will attempt to turn Georgia into one of their key battleground states.
In DeKalb, Commissioner Burrell Ellis romped to a win over state Rep. Stan Watson, 63% to 37%. Again, we haven’t seen detailed polling data, but it seems Ellis’ Southside support was much stronger than many had thought. With no GOP contender to face, Ellis can enjoy his final five months on the county board with the new title of CEO-elect. Let the sucking-up commence!
Ellis’ commission seat will be filled come January by Sharon Barnes Sutton, who out-polled rival Viola “Unhappy Taxpayer” Davis by nearly 3-1 – evidence that Georgia politicians can get elected with goofy names (Newt, Bubba, Sonny, Zell), but not downright stupid ones.
Fulton County will have a new sheriff next year, since the verbally challenged incumbent, Myron Freeman, was defeated last night by former FBI agent Ted Jackson, who collected 64% of the vote to Freeman’s 36%. Jackson will face Republican Michael Rary in November.
The only race that seemed to defy reformers’ hopes was for Clerk of Fulton Superior Court, in which incumbent Cathelene “Tina” Robinson hung on for a win over challenger Lewis Pittman, 53% to 47%. Robinson has been tainted by allegations that she and predecessor Juanita Hicks made a sleazy deal in which Hicks would step aside if Robinson would hand her a contract – eventually worth $74,000 – for doing nothing.
Finally, Clayton voters can breathe easier now that nutbag sheriff Victor Hill and controversial DA Jewell Scott are out of the picture. Also, the always colorful Eldrin Bell hung on to the commission chairmanship, despite a spirited challenge from Scott’s husband, Lee. Hill’s defeat was a squeaker, as he traded a narrow lead at the finish line with Kem Kimbrough, who won 51% to 49%.
Jewell Scott’s loss to Tracy Graham-Lawson was more definitive, 61% to 39%. Bell defeated Lee Scott 59% to 41%. And the county got a mostly new school board. Guys, you got your do-over – don’t F it up!
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