U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson’s announcement that he’ll seek a third term set off speculation about potential opponents – mostly centering on right-wing Republican challengers.
Despite his conservative record, Isakson receives heat from far-right groups who perceive him as too bipartisan. With support from the GOP establishment and the backing of Tea Party favorite U.S. Rep. Tom Graves, Isakson appears well-armed to fend off right wing challenges.
The Georgia Democratic Party also is looking at the 2016 Senate race. After disappointing defeats by Michelle Nunn and Jason Carter two weeks ago, Democrats are wondering whether to launch a full-press campaign against Isakson, who turns 70 in December, or hold their ammo.
One intriguing Democratic challenger to Isakson would be 12th District U.S. Rep. John Barrow, who after withstanding GOP challenges since 2004 lost to Republican Rick Allen Nov. 4.
Barrow has not expressed further political ambitions. The House’s last white Southern Democrat, Barrow reportedly declined national party requests to run this year for retiring GOP incumbent Sen. Saxby Chambliss’ seat. Instead, Nunn stepped up.
After losing to Allen in a campaign heavily funded by outside groups, Barrow probably would summon little enthusiasm for a state campaign in 2016. Congressmen must run every two years, and Barrow is probably weary of gearing up that soon.
Barrow has decided to return to his hometown of Athens after moving first to Savannah and then Augusta as the GOP-dominated Legislature shifted his district lines. Back home, he now can concentrate on his law practice. Or, if that proves too confining, he could pursue a new career in Washington. Now Athens lies in the 10th District, and a campaign against recently elected GOP conservative freshman Jody Hice is another possibility.
If Democrats could entice the five-term congressman to run against Isakson, Barrow would offer the party sorely needed strengths. Having won races across the state, he has strong name recognition. His moderate to conservative record would attract white voters.
Meanwhile, Democratic governor’s candidate Jason Carter in his first interview since losing to GOP incumbent Nathan Deal told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution he’s leaving open the possibility of again running for office. “You don’t know. But I certainly wouldn’t rule it out,” Carter said.
Carter, if he runs against Isakson, would risk the career-crippling stigma of another loss.
Outside of Nunn, or former Gov. Roy Barnes, other possible Democratic candidates such as State Rep. Stacey Abrams lack strong recognition across the state.
While Democratic leaders consider their options against Isakson, he looks formidable against challenges from the right.
Possible Tea Party opposition was a main factor in Chambliss’ decision not to seek re-election. But ultra-conservative strength short-circuited when U.S. Reps. Paul Broun and Phil Gingrey lost in the GOP Senate primary. Perdue and GOP establishment candidate U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston headed to a runoff, which Perdue unexpectedly won.
Perhaps the strongest GOP challenge to Isakson would come from an candidate like Perdue, who successfully presented himself as a political outsider in beating Kingston, then Nunn. Could the Democrats find an independently wealthy businessman who’s never held political office?
Druid Hills to Join Atlanta? For years, affluent suburban communities resisted annexation into the city of Atlanta. Now, residents of leafy Druid Hills want to join the city.
If their effort comes to pass, Atlanta would gain such prestigious institutions as Emory University, the Centers for Disease Control and the Fernbank Natural Science Museum, according to the AJC..
Taking in Druid Hills’ 22,000 residents would also significantly boost the city’s recent population gains. After steadily losing residents for decades, the city has been growing in recent years. The Census Bureau now estimates the city’s population as 447,841 – at one point it had fallen as low as around 415,000.
The oft-criticized Atlanta Public Schools can also take pride in the Druid Hills effort – residents cited the school system as a key benefit. Also mentioned was the city’s vibrant neighborhood planning unit system.
Those who remember when DeKalb County was the governmental model under longtime county leader Manuel Maloff and Atlanta the epitome of urban disfunction can only wonder at their changing fortunes.
Now, the rush continues to separate from DeKalb’s corruption-riddled government. As the AJC reported, DeKalb communities are seeking to form new cities of Tucker and LaVista Hills, joining already created Dunwoody and Brookhaven. The Legislature now will sort it all out.
