Fresh Loaf

It continues.

Yes, and that “Lauren W. McDonald III?” He’s the son of Bubba McDonald, the former state lawmaker who’s running as a Republican for the Public Service Commission.

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Angela Speir, the Public Service Commissioner who’s stepping down after her current term ends and is widely considered an advocate for everyday Georgians, is endorsing Democratic candidate Jim Powell for her soon-to-be-open seat.

“In this time of skyrocketing energy costs and with the elimination of the Consumers Utility Counsel, it’s more important than ever to elect a good person to the Public Service Commission,” Speir said. “Jim Powell has my vote,  endorsement, and prayers for his success.”

Powell, a former official with the U.S. Dept. of Energy, has been fighting a back-and-forth residency battle with Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel. Even after being booted from the ballot just days before the primary, he was granted a stay by a Fulton County Superior Court Judge and went on to garner 85 percent of the vote. The state Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case but has not yet set a date.

Speir, a Republican, urged voters to look past ideology and partisan affiliation  and vote for Powell in what many believe is going to be a top-down ballot. “Doing the right thing transcends political parties,” she said.

Speir also stressed a need for voters to be aware of the differences between Powell and his opponent in the race, Lauren “Bubba” McDonald. Speir unseated McDonald on the commission in 2002.

(more…)

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The Macon Telegraph’s Travis Fain, blogging at Lucid Idiocy and following up on what was first reported here at Georgia Premium, follows up and says that U.S. Senate candidate Jim Martin’s campaign may have pulled the trigger a little too soon on another endorsement. First there was the Josh Lanier gaffe, now it involves state Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin. Fain reports the Martin campaign is declining comment until it speaks with Irvin.

Fain raises two good points:

But, 1.) How do you run a race against Vernon Jones and end up looking shady?

And, 2.) Is this all a case of people truly remaining neutral, or of people just technically remaining neutral because Jones might win?

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Candidates in last night’s primary who were endorsed by Georgia Conservation Voters won big last night. Here’s a win/loss rundown of the group:

List of 2008 Primary Endorsements:

Public Service Commission
District 4: Pam Davidson (R) – LOSS
District 4: Jim Powell (D) – WIN

Senate
District 2: Lester Jackson (D) - WIN
District 3: Jeff Chapman (R) - WIN
District 12: Freddie Powell Sims (D) - WIN
District 36: Nan Orrock (D) - WIN
District 46: Bill Cowsert (R) – WIN, will face challenger in November

House
District 10: Rick Austin (R) – WIN
District 44: Sheila Jones (D) – WIN, will face challenger in November
District 59: Margaret Kaiser (D) – WIN
District 66: Virgil Fludd (D) – WIN
District 98: Bobby Reese (R) – WIN
District 177: Mark Hatfield (R) – WIN, will face challenger in November

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