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Race crowded for lieutenant governor spot

Web posted May 2, 1998

By James Salzer
Morris News Service

ATLANTA -- A few last-minute surprises ended qualifying for the 1998 elections Friday, including the registration of veteran Public Service Commission Chairman Mac Barber for the already crowded lieutenant governor's race.

State School Superintendent Linda Schrenko was presented with a Republican primary challenge when Cobb County educator Frances Elaine Roberson qualified for the race. Two Democrats signed up for the school superintendent's contest earlier this week.

Also, former Democratic state Sen. Hildred Shumake of Atlanta switched to the GOP and qualified to challenge Democrat Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin.

Two unknowns, Dr. Carlton Myers of Pine Mountain and Morris James of Montezuma, joined the Democratic primary field for governor during the final hours of qualifying. In Richmond County, attorney Thomas W. Tinley III filed Friday to run against incumbent State Court Judge David D. Watkins. There were no new qualifiers in Columbia County.

About 550 Republicans and Democrats qualified this week for congressional, state and judicial races, with a nearly even split between the parties.

Republicans emphasized they will have contested primaries in most state races and challengers in many of the legislative districts long held by conservative Democrats in South Georgia.

``North Georgia is going Republican. South Georgia is beginning to catch up,'' said Senate Minority Whip Eric Johnson, R-Savannah.

``We are as pleased as we can be with all of our candidates,'' added House Minority Leader Bob Irvin, R-Atlanta.

Democrats didn't field a candidate against three of Georgia's eight Republican congressmen: Reps. Jack Kingston, Mac Collins and Nathan Deal.

On the other hand, Republicans failed during the qualifying period to build on the biggest achievement of the post-General Assembly period: their recruitment of Senate President Pro-tem Sonny Perdue.

Despite the switch to the GOP, Mr. Perdue was given a free ride to another term when no one filed to challenge him. However, no other sitting Democratic lawmaker jumped ship, and the party found opponents for four state House members who had switched to the GOP earlier.

``Democrats have a strong candidate in every competitive race in this state,'' said Brian Rubenstein, spokesman for the Georgia Democratic Party. ``Our candidates are ready to spread the Democratic message of lower taxes, improving schools and cracking down on violent criminals.''

Mr. Barber's entrance into the lieutenant governor's race was a surprise, and fellow Democrats tried to talk him out of it.

A longtime PSC member, Mr. Barber had recently become chairman. There were already 10 candidates in the race, and most of the hopefuls have been running for months.

By qualifying, Mr. Barber automatically resigned from the PSC as required by Georgia law.

Ms. Schrenko's Republican opposition means she will not be able to focus only on well-funded Democratic hopeful Joe Martin, former chairman of the Atlanta school board.

The most targeted candidate this year was Sen. Ralph David Abernathy, D-Atlanta, who was caught last winter at Hartsfield International Airport in Atlanta with marijuana stuffed in his underwear.

Mr. Abernathy qualified for re-election but faces six Democratic opponents and a Republican as well.

Mr. James and Dr. Myers join a Democratic gubernatorial pack that includes Roy Barnes, Steve Langford, Lewis Massey and David Poythress.

Republican candidates for governor are Mike Bowers, Bruce Hatfield, Guy Millner and Nancy Schaefer.