As InsiderAdvantage previously reported, Attorney General Sam Olens is widely believed to be the incoming president of Kennesaw State University, even though the University System Board of Regents spokesman admitted yesterday that Olens has never been interviewed by the Regents. And no one knows what the Regents’ process is for the presidential selection. Or when an official Regents vote will be scheduled to fill the KSU vacancy.
In the meantime, Olens leaving the AG’s office leaves the slot open for a gubernatorial-appointed replacement. And talk around the Capitol is that the current AG favorite is Economic Development Commissioner Chris Carr. It is no secret that Gov. Nathan Deal has a lot of confidence in Carr, who is compiling a fine record of economic growth in just three years on the job. (The commissioner is also a former chief of staff to U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and has a wide circle of statewide political friends.)
Some lawyers claim state laws prohibits Carr from becoming attorney general because he has not been an active State Bar member in recent years. However, other lawyers close to Carr (and Deal) say that he is eligible to be appointed attorney general since he has already compiled the required seven active years of legal practice.
Another Deal favorite, gubernatorial counsel Ryan Teague, would also be a strong attorney general appointee— but Teague wouldn’t have the political base that Carr already enjoys.
