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.

Whenever a vacancy shall occur or exist in the office of Representative in the United States Congress from this state the Governor shall issue, within ten days after the occurrence of such vacancy, a writ of election to the Secretary of State for a special election to fill such vacancy, which election shall be held on the date named in the writ, which shall not be less than 30 days after its issuance

It’s 40 days at minimum.

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.

There *is* the situation of an open seat, which will require a special election. We can’t ignore this, but by no means does ANYONE need to be discussing this to the media or public, especially not yet. Jeff is right – in public, there should be no more said than: “Right now is a time for grieving; we’ll worry about politics later.”

The other side of this is that political business does go on, so behind the scenes we do have to consider what the next steps will be – in private. If Hudgens really was the guy, then he would not have needed to comment publicly on this so soon.

But, more than anything, I blame the GAGOP. They should have been on top of this. It seems like they were actually caught off guard by this. They should have been talking to Ralph behind the scenes, and as cold as it sounds, there should have been some contingency planning for the future of the District. More than anything, they need to humble people like Hudgens a little bit when his stupidity takes control of his words.

The discussion could have been as simple as: “Ralph will be the guy in the S.E.; after the death, though, we will wait for an appropriate course of action, and then when the time is right, we will get back to politics; in the meantime Ralph, keep your damn mouth shut and act respectful.”

If this is a pattern of behavior, that is one thing, but I wouldn’t start boiling and stretching rope just yet.

Political realities do not take a back seat to grieving for the recently departed.

Does nobody see a problem with that statement?

Zealously harping on this flaw you see in Hudgens is making The Honorable Mr. Norwood’s death more about you than about Representative Norwood.

You will find it will serve you better to not assume maliciousness on the part of another when their actions can better be explained by incompetence or ignorance.

I agree, I’m sure he meant no disrespect.

I do not know Hudgens nor do I know any of the other possible candidates mentioned. In other words, I don’t have a dog in that fight. It just needs to remain in GOP hands and unfortuanely there is a vacancy that cannot be ignored.

The Governor has ten days to call a special election. Time is of the essence, unfortunately.

I do believe he would have been better served to wait, but he did what he thought was best and I do not think Hudgens was being uncaring or insensitive. Political realities do not take a back seat to grieving for the recently departed.

Charlie Norwood was a great congressman, but life does go on. The grieving process will not be disrupted because Hudgens threw his hat in the ring. The political process goes on.

But, yes, Hudgens should have waited a couple of days until he announced, though I honestly don’t think he meant any disrespect. It was just incredibly awful timing.

Has the governor actually called for the special election yet?