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Libertarian endorses Jim Powell in PSC race

Monday, November 17th, 2008

Usually the Libertarians end up siding with Republicans. Not so in the Public Service Commission Dec. 2 runoff between Republican Lauren “Bubba” McDonald and Democratic nominee Jim Powell.

Brandon Givens, the Libertarian challenger for the seat who received the strongest showing by a third-party candidate in the Nov. 4 General Election, has announced his endorsement for Powell in the Dec. 2 runoff.

From the Powell campaign:

“After speaking with Mr. Jim Powell I’ve discovered that he too has the vision for a new system that would allow for both a free market in energy and a growth in green technology,” Givens said in a news release. “Mr. Powell also shares my strong opposition to ex parte communications, the behind-closed-doors dealings between PSC members and the industries they are charged with regulating. He will stand up for transparency in government. I strongly encourage all voters, Libertarian and fiscally conservative to vote for Jim Powell.”

“I congratulate Brandon Givens on the strong race that he ran and bringing attention to many of the important issues in this campaign,” Powell said. “I am honored to have his support in the runoff election.”

Powell has also been endorsed by incumbent Public Service Commissioner Angela Speir, former Republican candidate Pam Davidson, and four of the state’s major daily newspapers: the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Savannah Morning News. the Rome News-Tribune and the Waycross Journal-Herald.

Powell won the popular vote in both the Democratic primary and the Nov. 4 General Election. He also fought a long and tiresome battle with Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel over his residency. Just one week before the General Election, the state Supreme Court  ruled he was eligible to run.

Jim Powell goes to state Supreme Court on Monday

Monday, October 13th, 2008

A source sends word that the Georgia Supreme Court will hear arguments in the Jim Powell residency kerfuffle on Monday, Oct. 20 at 10 a.m.

Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel started fighting Powell — the Democratic nominee for the Public Service Commission’s Northern District — shortly before the primary. Even with that cloud hanging over the race, Powell still walked away with 85 percent of the vote. The nominee’s had a tough time raising funds and campaigning because of the legal challenges, but he’s pushed on regardless. (To read CL’s coverage, click here.) No telling if the justices will issue a ruling before the Nov. 4 General Election.

Powell faces Republican nominee Lauren “Bubba” McDonald and Libertarian Party nominee Brandon Givens.