As candidate qualifying for the May 24 party primaries last Friday was about to close, several surprising primary contests emerged. Perhaps the stunner occurred in state House of Representatives District 52, centered in Sandy Springs, represented since 2001 by Rep. Joe Wilkinson.
A close Wilkinson ally tells InsiderAdvantage that the incumbent had “no idea” that he would be “stabbed in the back” by his “supposed longtime friend” Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul. The accusation is that Paul covertly pushed one of the city’s Council members, Graham McDonald, to qualify at the last minute for the seat. (Other sources say Paul told Wilkinson that he was supporting Graham as far back as December, but Wilkinson denies that took place.)
Our Wilkinson source blames state Rep. Wendell Willard, another “supposed friend” and the city attorney for Sandy Springs, for also being behind the “coup” against the longtime GOP incumbent who many affectionately refer to as one of the “fathers” of Sandy Springs. (Wilkinson carried the legislation that created the city over 10 years ago.)
Furthermore, a third candidate – attorney Deborah Silcox, qualified at the last minute— ostensibly to counter the more “liberal” McDonald.
As this is written, criticism is mounting against Paul, McDonald, Willard & Co. Sources say House Speaker David Ralston is pledging substantial financial support to Wilkinson, who is also the chairman of the chamber’s Ethics Committee. And Wilkinson already has scheduled an April fundraiser.
There are rumors that Silcox could ultimately withdraw in favor of Wilkinson, since she told this writer and others just a few weeks ago that she would not run in a primary against him. Also, some prominent lawmakers at the Capitol say that Sandy Springs could be hurt by the betrayal of their friend by Paul, McDonald and Willard.
This political soap opera, with its elements of intrigue, lies and the betrayal of a friend, is the talk of Sandy Springs and will continue to unfold in the days ahead.
