Ex-campaign worker says Schrenko stretched too far

Bob Beckham, who once worked on Linda Schrenko's political campaign, says her career crashed because she reached too high.

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She should never have run for governor in 2002, he said.

"She probably could have been state superintendent for a long time," said Mr. Beckham, who was part of her first campaign when she unsuccessfully ran for Columbia County school superintendent in 1992. "I'm disappointed in her particularly because I thought that she had better judgement than to start a candidacy for something that was almost unreachable for her."

These days, Ms. Schrenko, who served two terms as Georgia's school superintendent, faces a federal indictment that charges she stole more than $600,000 in federal education money. Her trial begins Monday.

While reserving judgment on the allegations levied against Ms. Schrenko, Columbia County Republican Party Chairman Lee Muns, a former county school board member, said his party's image has been bruised by her political downfall.

"Even the mere accusations always cause concerns," he said.

Mr. Beckham said Ms. Schrenko didn't have the connections to generate the funds needed for a successful run for governor, nor was she able to build a base of influential supporters in the Republican Party.

She was defeated in the 2002 Republican primary by Sonny Perdue.

She had another shortcoming, Mr. Beckham said.

"She was not loyal whatsoever to her friends," he said. "Old Herman Talmadge (former Georgia governor and U.S. senator) had it right one time. He said in politics if you lose a vote, you've got to get two to make up for it. And she lost a lot of votes and didn't make up for it."

However, her loyalty did extend to volunteering with the Columbia County Republican Party during the 2004 general election.

Mr. Muns, who allowed her to work at the party headquarters during the campaigns, said his contact with her was limited.

"I did not want to discuss (her legal situation) with her at all," he said.

Pete Theodocion, Ms. Schrenko's attorney, says she isn't speaking publicly, but she is looking forward to presenting her case.

Ms. Schrenko spoke about the drastic turnabout in her political career in a Jan. 22, 2003, article in The Columbia County News-Times. At the time, the state auditor's office was investigating contracts Ms. Schrenko had signed.

"What's happened to me has not been all roses, balloons and happy days," she said in the article, adding that she was facing back surgery and that her failed campaign for governor had left her $50,000 in debt.

"Coming out of it, there are so many things I'm facing that I would not be facing if I had stayed home."

In August 2004, Ms. Schrenko's divorce from her husband, Frank John Schrenko Jr., became finalized, and in March her home on Old Louisville Road in Grovetown was foreclosed on, according to court documents.

Mr. Beckham says whether Ms. Schrenko is found guilty or not, it's a sorry end to a political career.

Reach Preston Sparks and Donnie Fetter at (706) 868-1222 or ccchron@augustachronicle.com.