Obviously, when the Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives is accused of threatening to beat his (ex)wife, it becomes an issue for Governor candidates. So let’s look at each of them in regards to this issue (in strict alphabetical order by last name):
Thurbert Baker: No statement yet. Understandable, given that he is currently the top lawyer in the State and this could turn into a criminal case.
Roy Barnes: No statement yet. As a former Governor, he should have a bit of insight here, though he also has to contend with the King Roy image that his opponents would be sure to bring up in response to any statement he issued.
Carl Camon: No statement yet. As someone WELL below the radar, he could have made a name for himself – possibly – by being the first to come out calling for Richardson’s resignation.
Jeff Chapman: No statement yet. Has a record of bucking the GOP establishment which could help him weather this issue – could even improve his chances, given the rest of the GOP field.
Nathan Deal: No statement yet. Faces corruption charges of his own, has been listed as one of the 15 most corrupt Congressmen. Also had a multi-million dollar scandal of his own surface this year that began when he was still in the General Assembly. Scandals anywhere within the GOP become fodder for reminding people of these things, which is not good for him. Futhermore, Richardson -along with Speaker Pro-Tem Mark Burkhalter and Majority Leader Jerry Keen – is a maxed-out donor to Deal, meaning that Deal is clearly the chosen candidate of Richardson.
Karen Handel: Wants people to believe she was the first to call for Richardson’s resignation, but she wasn’t – Austin Scott was, which we’ll see in a moment. Also seen by many as Governor Sonny Purdue’s hand-picked successor, and Gov Purdue was the architect of the sweetheart backroom deal that allowed Richardson to remain in power long enough for Speaker Pro-Tem Mark Burkhalter to solidify his own grip on the Speakership, rather than having an open election. Wants to be seen as a “leader”, yet waited until after the deal was done to come forward calling for Richardson’s resignation – even though she had nothing to lose and everything to gain from coming forward sooner.
Eric Johnson: Chaired the Ethics Committee that first probed Richardson’s affair allegations. As he has noted, at the time there were no threats alleged and no abuse of power allegations, as well as no proof offered of the affair. Still, his connection then could cost him now, as many will still consider him dirty due to the ethics commission’s inaction – even though it was the proper action.
Ray McBerry: Tries to portray himself as a man of honor, yet has yet to issue a statement about Richardson – a man who is accused of threatening to beat his wife. Also an extremely fundamentalist Christian, which could play a role there. As the only GOP GAGOV candidate who is not currently in office nor has ever been in office, he had the single most to gain here, and squandered it.
John Monds: No statement yet. As a member of the Libertarian Party, he neither has to worry about the current scandals involving the Republican Party nor the past history of the Democratic Party – meaning he could benefit from the two halves of the Big Government Party attacking each other.
John Oxendine: Defended Richardson. Enough said there, though there is also this post from earlier this week.
DuBose Porter: Was the first GAGOV candidate -and ONLY Democratic candidate thus far – to speak out about this, but didn’t call for Richardson’s resignation. As House Minority Leader, he also did not field a candidate for Speaker to oppose Richardson this past term – which was politically smart at the time, but could now come back to bite him.
David Poythress: No statement yet. Yet another candidate with nothing to lose and everything to gain who squandered the opportunity. Instead, he attacks the current Revenue Commissioner while Rome is burning.
Austin Scott: Had the single most to lose of any GAGOV candidate due to his position within the Georgia House of Representatives, yet was one of the first two Committee Chairs to come out calling for Richardson’s ouster – and was thus the first GAGOV candidate to do so, despite what Karen Handel wants everyone to think. Has a record of challenging Richardson, which once cost him another committee chairmanship. Has said (at the Tifton Forum) he is in the race DESPITE Richardson, not because of him.
