He has told friends for years he would like to run for governor, he openly toyed with it in 2010 but ultimately decided to remain in the U.S. House of Representatives, but now a trusted source tells InsiderAdvantage that U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland is again interested in getting into the mix for the 2018 Republican gubernatorial primary. “Westmoreland is definitely telling people he’s interested. Being elected governor would be his final legacy,” the source tells us.
The Republican congressman and former state legislator, whose 3rd district stretches from the southern Atlanta suburbs over to Columbus suburbs, is 64 years old and, the source says, “it’s never too early for him to start gauging interest and support around the state for a possible run.” He also would like to be closer to his children and grandchildren down the road, the source says.
Gov. Nathan Deal, who just won re-election, is prevented from running for another term. Other potential GOP candidates for governor are Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, Secretary of State Brian Kemp and Attorney General Sam Olens. Of course, four years are an eternity in politics and these possible candidates could either rise or fall in the court of public opinion. “Friends of the conservative Westmoreland feel he could come in with his Washington experience, much like Deal did when he was a sitting congressman, and be the nominee if the conservative base is dissatisfied with the other candidates,” the source says.
