The down-ballot statewide primaries are starting to fill up.
Peachtree City Mayor Harold Logsdon has decided to forgo a run for a second term and instead seek the post of Insurance Commissioner. He joins Senator Seth Harp, Insurance Broker Stephen Northington, and everyone else with a strong back that isn’t running for Governor in that race.
Gary Black, 2006 Republican nominee for Agriculture Commissioner, will again try to unseat Tommy Irvin, who has been Ag Commish since I was born. And I’m getting pretty old.
Competing with Black for the opportunity to replace Irvin is John Wilkinson, recently retired director of Agriculture Education for the state DOE.
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Gary is a great guy. I look forward to a win come November, of next year.
I’m very disappointed in the republican field for insurance commissioner. none of these guys is inspiring. i hope we see someone stronger get in that race. and the attorney general race too!
the only thing more pathetic is how gary black panicked and rushed out his announcement in response to wilkinson getting in. that’s a pretty sharp website wilkinson has.
black had his shot. he blew it. he’s still a damn lobbyist for big business. he will lose again.
when will republicans come to their senses??? we keep putting up these big business lobbyist types and ignore small businesses in our policies and our campaigns and candidates. and we keep losing. i hope that will sink in before it’s too late.
I’m very disappointed in the republican field for insurance commissioner. none of these guys is inspiring
Dantes…you’ve demonstrated multiple times that you get inspired only by what people say, not by what they do. So, you won’t mind if we do not take your wishes and make them ours because what “inspires” you from day to day is is as likely to make sense as Brian Kemp’s belief that the SoS’s offices should be employed to help with this state’s economic development. As if paying a $30 corporations fee every year is a BIG barrier to entry for businesses moving here.
Is Irvin running again? I think I read somewhere that he wasn’t.
If not, I guess the two Ag Commish candidates aren’t trying to “unseat” Irvin. Dang, we need somebody in that post with all of these outbreaks. Funny feeling that we’ll hear a lot about peanuts out of this race.
Well said Bill. It’s more like the “right to work” pledge that gets them here.
so we now have a couple dozen ins commish candidates-is there going to be any teeth gnashing and hand wringing over that or does no one care since its just a down ticket race?
i ask b/c people seem sooo crazy worried about the guv race and a runoff and it somehow being a bad thing to have a lot of choices there?
“Is Irvin running again?”
He’s not.
“i ask b/c people seem sooo crazy worried about the guv race and a runoff and it somehow being a bad thing to have a lot of choices there?”
I think it’s a quality issue. If it’s simply about the number of people in there, well, look at the 2006 SOS and Lt. Gov Democratic Primary races. No one really cared about preventing a bloodbath in the primary because the candidates did not have anything that made any of them really stick out.
In the case of the 2010 Governor’s race on both sides, you’ve got a former Governor, Former Labor Commissioner/SOS, House Minority Leader, and Attorney General either contemplating or already running on the Democratic side. On the GOP side you have the sitting SOS, sitting Insurance Commissioner, former President Pro-Tem of the State Senate.
There’s a difference between having some of the top names in the party run for the same seat, compared to having 2nd or 3rd tier candidates running for a seat.
In addition to Seth Harp, has done much in the way of campaigning, Insurance Broker Stephen Northington is actively running. He is the only licensed insurance person in the race.
I’ve added Mr. Northington’s name above. Thanks for the catch.
http://www.georgialegislativewatch.com/2009/04/06/whos-running-statewide-in-2010/
based on this there are at least 5 ins commish candidates on the gop side–i was only half joking about the number of folks vying for that spot–the purcell guy has a website up
Generic update added. I think at least one of their listed guys has since declined.
Guess I’ll throw my link in too…
http://tondeestavern.com/200904271550/2010-endorsements.html
2010 Endorsements List. Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians.
Also, Wilkinson’s site is http://www.wilkinsonag.com
Looks nice.
“Dantes” – What “Big Business” has Gary Black worked for in the past 10 years other than promoting Georgia Agribusiness? Isn’t that what we want our Agriculture Commissioner to do? Give us some recent facts to back up your “lobbying for big business” charge, and by recent I don’t mean 10 years ago.
Dantes, what’s the web address for John Wilkinson’s website? I googled it but couldn’t come up with anything.
I hate that John and Gary are running against each other. They’re both good guys. Youngest daughter was active in FFA (high school & UGA), and Wilkinson and Black were both great at working with the kids. I have great respect for both of them.
Sorry, I should have read a little further down…just disregard the first paragraph of the above. Duh…
DonnaC,
I tried Googling “Wilkinson 2010″, “John Wilkinson”, and all other variations this morning and found nothing but a bio and the announcement.
Finally, a few minutes ago I thought “Wilkinson AG”, and bam it was in the top 5.
Now, I just need websites (if they exist) for:
Thurbert Baker (Gov, not AG re-election site)
Gail Buckner (SOS)
Darryl Hicks (SOS)
Ken Hodges (AG)
Sam Olens (AG, not CC re-election site)
Jeff Scott (SS, not House campaign site)
Seth Harp (Insurance)
Melvin Everson (Labor)
Irvin isn’t running again but Terry Coleman was made Assistant Commissioner (or some such) to prepare to run. Haven’t heard of a change of plans officially but someone close told me today the final decision is yet to be made.
According to Insider Advantage’s main page, Coleman is considering a run but is still not ready to declare.
Like Aquaman said though, all we’ve heard since 2006 was Coleman would be Irvin’s successor on the Democratic side.
No one from DOA is going to run, considering the Peanut crisis and the legal issues surrounding it
Terry made it very clear that he was not running during session
Gary did not rush to release anything, in fact (because I spoke with him) had planned an announcement for Monday, last week-
Wilkinson has no chance, hope he does not invest any of his own money, supervising 4-H, FFA and Ag Ed might be honorable but has nothing to do with the Department of Agriculture in this state
Thig,
I looked on the Georgia Agribusiness Council’s website to see who they lobbied for and found their member list here. While many involved in the Georgia Agribusiness Council are admirable small agribusinesses, it seems Mr. Black also lobbies on behalf of Georgia Power Company and AT&T. I think Georgia Power’s lobbying efforts this session were well noted on this blog.
If you are looking for a candidate with the background, experience, the right solutions for GA and most importantly the character and integrity that our elected officials should live by check out Gerry Purcell. I am convinced he is the right choice for the State of GA. He will provide solid leadership and a new fresh direction and the right answers and solutions that benefit the people of GA.
He will be speaking next Friday at the GOP convention in Savannah. Check him out!
His site is – http://www.gerrypurcell.com
Nice talking points RollTide.
For future reference, you may also wish to include the actual office Mr. Purcell will use to cure all of our ills.
I agree with RollTide. Mr. Purcell is running for Insurance Commissioner (www.gerrypurcell.com). He is a very good speaker (I would say inspiring) and actually has ideas that make sense. I heard him speak a while back to a fairly large audience with several other “professional politicians.” It was obvious he is not the typical politician; he is sincere, authentic and took all the old guys to school on public speaking. It struck me that this guy is a real leader. I think he is a former military officer, which probably explains his command presence.
Foray, John actually works out of the Ag Department Building; and I’m sure he’s learned a lot just by osmosis. I don’t know how much experience you’ve had with FFA, but it is a very far-reaching program, that works with farm programs throughout the state. Most schools with active FFA programs work with local farmers, some have greenhouse operations and raise animals as well. The advisors have to be extremely knowledgeable in all aspects of ag, and it is much more in depth than 4H. 4H is more extra curricular, but kids in FFA have to attend classes devoted to agricultural subjects. 4H and FFA are different as night and day.
Oh, and 4H is not under the auspices of the Ag Department. It actually is controlled by the University of Georgia and the County Agent Program, also under UGA.
I have the greatest respect for John and the entire program. It was wonderful for all my kids, two of whom went on to major in ag subjects at UGA.
I know we’ll get bunch of Black supporters on here with all sorts of pathetic spin, but here’s the real deal – this ad will run again…and again….and again…..just insert whatever Republican or Democrat candidate you want at the end.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uaf1lyaqgSI
if Republicans are stupid enough to nominate Gary Black again….or any lobbyist for corporate outfits…..we will see this very same ad and the outcome will be the same. Republicans will lose.
Just because ATT and Georgia Power sponsor the Agribusiness Council does not mean that Gary lobbies for their interests
I know all about FFA and 4-H they are both great programs that help lots of kids, that does not make you qualified to manage the agency that regulates the states largest industry.
If you were to poll folks actively involved in agriculture today- Gary would win hands down
It also does not hurt that Gary has the support of: Karen, Eric, Nathan and Ox, Casey, Brian Kemp, Johnny, Saxby, the G-7, Sonny,House and Senate Caucus leaders and the Georgia and Metro Chambers
Seems like an uphill battle for Wilkinson, although he might be a real nice guy
Foray, if Black does not lobby for Georgia Power and AT & T, what benefit do those companies get for being members of the Georgia Agribusiness Council. Unlike our government, big utilities are not in the business of throwing away good money.
“If you were to poll folks actively involved in agriculture today- Gary would win hands down”……against who?
and
“It also does not hurt that Gary has the support of: Karen, Eric, Nathan and Ox, Casey, Brian Kemp, Johnny, Saxby, the G-7, Sonny,House” ……he had similar support last election and got handed what; something like a 17 point loss
It is a real stretch to think Gary is lobbying for every organization that is a member of the GAC. He is lobbying for Georgia Agriculture and Ga Power and AT&T happen to be members. And why wouldn’t Ga Power and AT&T be supportive of agriculture in Georgia. It is like being a member of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, it is not that expensive and it promotes business within our state.
The Georgia Department of Agriculture faces real challenges in the post-Irvin era. The department must have a renewed focus on food safety, increase efficiencies during these tight budget times, and promote agriculture’s role in responsible and thoughtful energy production. John Wilkinson provides the type of experienced leadership this department needs for these new challenge. For years, he has managed hundreds of teachers and implemented the state agricultural education budget, which at times has exceeded $7 million. While experienced, Wilkinson provides a fresh face to the Republican party and the Department of Agriculture. The 2008 elections should remind us that we need new ideas in our party. In his role training new farmers and agricultural leaders, Wilkinson has been on the forefront of bringing new ideas to Georgia agriculture for the past 30 years. Also a reminder, the peanut salmonella case should inform us that Georgia needs a department head that knows agriculture and its people, but is not afraid to stand up to agricultural interests that place consumer safety at risk. Wilkinson is that man.
I like Gary Black, actively supported him in 2006, and still consider him a friend. And while I have chosen a different candidate in this race, I want to respond to Whigham’s post. While Georgia Power and AT&T are both members of GAC and both companies have representatives on Gary’s board, I do not think it was Gary who was toting the water on Georgia Power’s Nuclear Financing bill.
I’m supporting Seth Harp for Ins. Commissioner and Gary Black for Ag Commissioner. Both are tremendously qualifed and have a history of effective service.
Hey Groseclose,
As your namesake so eloquently put it:
“Stationed by the emblem of Washington.”
As a long time insider in the Ag dept, I have seen the destruction of the legacy that Tommy Irvin has worked so long to build. Terry Coleman in 2 short years has utterly gutted a once proud agency, devoted to the farmers and products of Georgia. Even though all department employees have had to take furloughs, and no pay increases (except for Terry’s friends) he has hired countless number of friends and supporters.
He is running amuck with the finances that he now completely controls. The agency is BROKE because of his greed and lust for power.
This man, if elected, would be Georgia’s WORST nightmare as the Agriculture Commissioner. He has no regard for the working farmers, and stewards of Georgia’s agriculture community.
Don’t believe me, use your rights as a Georgia citizen to request thru
THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT all of the finances and personnel records for the last two years and watch how you get SHUT down!
WHATEVER YOU DO AS A GEORGIAN…DO NOT VOTE FOR TERRY COLEMAN FOR ANY POSITION!!!!!!!!!!!!
He has no regard for the working farmers, and stewards of Georgia’s agriculture community.
How strange…because that is the same charge I’ve heard levied at Tommy Irvin over the past 8 years. BY farmers. BY farmers and other entities who get extorted and threatened by Irvin and his henchmen to either support Irvin or get some sort of violation “discovered” about their operation.
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