We lost a great man when Representative Charlie Norwood passed away this morning. The funeral arrangements have not yet been set, there certainly hasn’t been a special election date set yet, and the sun has ony just gone down on the day of Norwood’s death — and already there is a politician with such a dearth of dignity that he has already announced himself as a candidate for the seat.
“I’m going to resign my state Senate seat, and yes, I am going to run,” said State Senator Ralph Hudgens, Republican from Georgia’s 47th district (which includes the half of the People’s Republic of Athens-Clarke County that I don’t live in, thank goodness), only hours after Dr. Norwood’s passing.
Well thank goodness for that. All we need in Washington is another stuffed-shirt politician who has so little situational awareness or respect for his fellow man that he can’t even wait one single day before declaring that he’s in the running for the spoils of a dead man’s legacy.
Seriously, would it have been that hard to tell the AP: “I will discuss my intentions after the Norwood family and friends have had time to grieve. Politics comes later.”?
Apparently so. At least let the man be buried, Ralph. Although, if waiting one whole day was too much to ask, who knows what a whole week would have done to you.
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I could be wrong, but I thought the Gov. had 10 days to send notice to the SOS them it’s 30 days after that…which is where I got the 40 days.
Let me disclose that I like Hudgens’, but in hindsight he probably should have waited a day or two to be public with it. One thing I can assure you of is the guys that want in on this race have been working very dilligently behind the scenes. Potential candidates may be saying one thing to the press, but it’s a different story behind the scenes.
This was a very bad blunder by Sen. Hudgens. It was rude and disrespectful regardless of what the intentions were.
atlantaman: according to the OCGA
It’s 40 days at minimum.
Thank you Jeff. Not sure how everyone kept overlooking that… we’ve only posted it on PP about 5 times.
Basically, Gov. Perdue has until next Thursday, Feb. 22, to issue the writ of election. But the election is a MINIMUM of 30 days. Meaning the number of days must be > 30.
I don’t think there’s a maximum, so it could be 45 or 60 days – or more. It’s up to the governor.
And because he’s a kind and respectful man, I would expect him to wait until AT LEAST – but probably a few days later than – this weekend to issue the writ of election. My guess is Monday or Tuesday, but it’s just a guess. So any candidate seeking to fill this vacancy, could and should wait until AT LEAST the day or the governor’s issue of the election writ before announcing their own candidacy.
Obviously we’re dealing with an expedited election, so planning your intentions and gathering staff in private is one thing… but going to the press on the day of death and before the funeral is another.
And 45-to-60 days – from the issued writ – is a fair number for the election.
Thanks Jeff, sorry I missed that before.
Jmac, thanks for the agreement/honesty – I’d missed that comment before. As always, both here and at your blog, I appreciate and respect both your good intentions and your honesty.
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