Georgia Sen. Ed Tarver, D-Augusta, has been formally nominated by President Obama to be U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, the White House announced Thursday. If confirmed by the Senate, Mr. Tarver would be the first black to serve in the Southern District post.
"I am thoroughly honored for this opportunity to serve the Southern District of Georgia," Mr. Tarver said Thursday night. He said he learned of his nomination from U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss.
As the nominee, Mr. Tarver would replace Edmund A. Booth Jr., who retired earlier this month. Mr. Tarver said that he does not know when Senate confirmation will take place.
The legislative vacancy Mr. Tarver's nomination creates is expected to inspire a wave of political maneuvering.
The Augusta Chronicle reported in August that state Rep. Hardie Davis was interested in seeking Mr. Tarver's seat, leaving his House District 122 seat vacant. Another potential candidate for the empty Senate seat is Richmond County State Court Solicitor Harold Jones.
If Mr. Davis leaves his House seat, Augusta Mayor Pro Tem Alvin Mason has expressed interest in it.
"There are so many variables at this point that it's really hard to pin anything down," Lynn Bailey, Richmond County Board of Elections executive director, said in an August interview.
Mr. Tarver would go from representing the core of Richmond County on the state level to being the top federal prosecutor for a district covering 43 counties, stretching from Thurmond Lake to the Florida border with offices in Augusta, Savannah, Statesboro, Brunswick, Dublin and Waycross.
The job pays about $150,000 a year, with oversight of 26 assistant U.S. attorneys -- 19 of them handling criminal cases and seven for civil matters.
Reach Jonathan Overstreet at (706) 823-3708 or jonathan.overstreet@augustachronicle.com.
ABOUT THE NOMINEE
Ed Tarver, of the Augusta law firm Hull, Towill, Norman, Barrett & Salley, has served as a senator in the Georgia General Assembly since September 2005.
He received a bachelor's degree from Augusta State University in 1981 and a juris doctorate degree from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1991.
Between college and law school, he served in the U.S. Army, achieving the rank of captain.
After he graduated from law school, Mr. Tarver served as a clerk for U.S. Judge Dudley Bowen Jr.
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Congrats
This appointment will remain "questionable" until we can determine the cases that Tarver will prosecute. Sounds like a promotion, but operating within such a biased system might be a charge he takes up. But anyway, this opening will cause the mud fight to begin and speculations will involve who, what, and maybe. Outside forces (AWM) will attempt to influence who gets to move up, but it should be the People who decide-not some slick PR work...stay tuned..."we" know whats coming.
LOL>>>>>>>>>>>>justus
I think justus probably complains that his ice cream is too cold or his coffee is too hot .... can you imagine the ruckus if either was vanilla flavored?
If 150k is a promotion then he is not much of a lawyer
A Federal Judgeship is the ultimate goal.
Think of the perks........The prez only makes 400 K It' a power thing. If you remember....Kennedy left his on the table ! There are PLENTY lawyers that would love to see some 50K a year jobs. I know a couple in Atlanta that are looking for jobs due to the real estate market.....at most any salary.
They must not be very good either
Gongratulations to a great person who will do an excellent job. Justus just lives a sad life and deserves our pitty.
i just hope he doesn't have ACORN in his closet.
Ed Tarver is a neighbor of mine. He is an excellent pick. Congratulations!!!
Congrats Mr. Tarver You really deserve this
Congratulations Mr. Tarver! The best of luck in getting the position.
I like Mr. Tarver, but I will never vote to send a lawyer as my representative anywhere. We have enough of them as it is.
Congrats Mr Tarver.
will he be making his own decisions or be a "mouthpiece" for an influencial person in this town
Congratulations Ed...great to see another GHH graduate going places. Cheering for the homeboy!
Minnik, what a wonderful comment about Justus4. Mr. Tarver will be okay and do a good job.
Big ups to my fellow Glenn Hills High School alum! Way to go, Ed!
Congraulations Ed!!!! Quite a deserving gentleman.
"We" haven't got a clue what's coming justass. Hunting over a baited field? Got the inside scoop? I like Tarver, he seems sensible. Oh, damn, I'm white (AWM). Guess you sucked on that call.
Congratulations Ed. You earned this. I can't think of anyone I'd rather see appointed for this position. All the best to you and your family on this new challenge and adventure. Your wife, Beverly, another GHHS classmate, has also been such an asset to our community and Davdison Fine Arts Magnet School that I see nothing but success for your future teamwork. Kudos to you and yours!
justus....get help with the drug problem. You are starting to ramble incoherently.........Congradulations Mr. Tarver. I hope your leadership in this area continues. You were one of the few that gave me hope.
Can't say I've been overly impressed with his tenure in the state Senate.. but then again, he was an improvement over what we had.
Gongratulations to a great person who will do an excellent job. Justus just lives a sad life and deserves our pitty.
Posted by Asitisinaug on Fri Sep 18, 2009 7:16 AM DITTO!!!!!!!!!