Who's who in the governor's race

Even if Georgia's economy remains in the doldrums, at least one good job will be open next year: governor.

Republican Sonny Perdue is finishing his second term, and no incumbent will be on the ballot for the first time since 1998.

That political vacuum has attracted nearly a dozen actual or prospective candidates.

"An open seat brings out more people," said University of Georgia political science professor Charles Bullock. "When there is no incumbent holding the ball, it is more like a jump-ball opportunity."

On the Democratic side, the outlook is clear, sort of.

Former Gov. Roy Barnes is the favorite for his party's nomination. There's just one hitch: He hasn't said whether he'll run.

He had a big lead over three other Democrats in a recent statewide Strategic Vision poll.

"Should Barnes enter the race, he appears unstoppable for the Democratic nomination," said Strategic Vision CEO David Johnson.

Until last month, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle seemed a solid favorite for the GOP nomination. Then he dropped out, citing health problems.

State Sen. Eric Johnson of Savannah announced last week that he was no longer going to run for lieutenant governor since Mr. Cagle was running for re-election. Now Mr. Johnson has raised his sights to the gubernatorial post.

On Friday, U.S. Rep. Nathan Deal held a news conference to say he's leaving behind his 18 years in Congress to aim for the governor's office.

Mr. Cagle's departure triggered speculation that other GOP congressmen or legislators might run, and several issued statements saying they had decided not to.

The polls that had pegged Mr. Cagle the frontrunner tagged state Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine as the No. 2 candidate.

But Mr. Oxendine is far from having a lock on the nomination, said Emory University political science professor Merle Black.

"The race is very fluid at this point," Mr. Black said. "It gives some people who have yet to run a statewide campaign a chance to showcase themselves."

With six Republicans, Mr. Black said, no one likely would win a majority in the July 20, 2010, GOP primary. That would trigger a runoff between the top two finishers.

Even if Mr. Barnes runs, Mr. Black said, the Democratic race also might be headed for a runoff.

"But it's hard to say at this point," he added. "We don't really even know who the candidates are going to be."