Austin Scott is a contender. From Twitter:
Can’t take on both simultaneously? How will you ever be Governor? I’m sorry you abandoned the responsibility of your elected office, Eric.
Shorter Austin Scott: Damn, I forgot about the fundraising caveat.
UPDATE: It has been deleted from the campaign’s twitter account.
From Buzz: Here’s a screen shot from Scott’s website:
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Jackass.
Do you have a screenshot of this? It is not on his twitter feed. The link goes to an error screen.
I saw it. Tweets can be deleted.
Amazing that the tweet magically disappeared after this post. It’s still in my TweetDeck, but not on his Twitter page.
I was just curious, as it is gone now. I unfortunately had my TweetDeck closed.
Sigh . . .
Why is it a classless act to ding an opponent for giving up on the seat to which he was elected in order to raise more money? Please explain why that is a baseless and unwarranted criticism.
I can’t help but think those leading the push back against criticism of Johnson are merely laying the groundwork for Handel’s inevitable departure from office.
The AJC’s headline is perfect: Eyeing gov. race, senator quits 4:15 p.m.
Very logical and strategic move on EJ’s part.I really believe it was a no brainer and since Austin disagrees with it that seems to me to be a validation that it was a good move.I guess he could have announced he was going to walk across the Okeefenokee or something……….
I think it was a wise move by Senator Johnson. He’s done a lot during his legislative career in Georgia. Coming from the minority to become Senate Majority Leader and President Pro Temp…he’s faithfully been a Republican. This session he was able to take the lead on some Ethics legislation…I would consider it a good career.
Now, he allows the people of his Senate District to elect someone new prior to next year’s session. Also, it allows him to continue to campaign across the State and build on his name recognition.
Great Move…it should be respected.
Is this a race to the bottom of which candidate can show less class?
I got it on my phone. Showed it to a few people, they couldn’t believe it.
I’m about to say it on SWGAPolitics, but I’ve been one of Scott’s VERY few supporters in the blogosphere. After that comment, I’m seriously considering looking for another sane GOP candidate to support in the Primary. Obviously I’ll be voting for John Monds in November.
Jeff,
I can’t agree with you. I have been a Scott supporter since he entered the race. I voted for him in numerous straw polls and sometimes I was one of a few votes.
I like Austin because he I felt like he was different from other politicians and doing this for the right reason, but this crass statement shows that is just more of the same.
@Austin #dist8HoR.
Sent from my iPod.
I never win anything.
(sadly I didn’t have a tasteless tweet to twit on this)
I think EJ’s timing was proper to permit the special election to be 11/3. I don’t think he needed to resign, his part-time state legislative duties shouldn’t interfere with running for Governor, but I also don’t know how much he time he is spending on his paycheck job.
I heard that it wasnt Austin that posted it on Twitter but an Ox operative using a wifi connection from the Twin Towers
I don’t see anything wrong with his tweet. Seems to be a fair criticism to me. Am I missing something?
FTR, I am undecided on the GOP primary.
Yeah, I’m not getting it either. So what? So he snarks a competitor and then decides maybe he doesn’t want to snark him. Big deal. There are more important things to worry about.
Austin Scott is the biggest prick in the legislature…and that’s saying a lot.
Why do you say that? I mean this as a serious question. I have had a fairly positive opinion of the guy, but I do not really know him. Does he have a nasty disposition? Is he known as a mean guy by others who work with him?
I apologize, that was rude and crude on my part…
But to answer your questions, Yes and yes.
But like anyone, I’m sure he has his friends and supporters; And I don’t fault them for supporting him.
I’d have to disagree with you Loyalty. Having worked down at the Capitol for a couple of years, Austin Scott is one of the most well respected individuals there. He has a reputation of being a work horse and someone who can be brought problem bills to put into his committee and get them resolved.
Now, he does not always get along with the “leadership” in the House because he refuses to be a lap dog. I know how most GOP like the go with the flow, same ole, same ole candidate, but we would only be so lucky to have a leader with some real ideas that does not cave to the pressures of tyrant leaders.
As for the comment don’t take twitter so seriously. It’s like trying to have a serious conversation over text message. You can’t do it because of the lack of verbal tones and verbal tones play alot in human communication.
I feel as though Johnson should not have resigned. If anything he should step down as candidate for governor if he feels like he can’t do both. He made a promise to his constituents to be their senator when he choose to run for reelection not 1 year ago. He has not made any such promises to the citizens of Georgia yet, as he has not been elected by the citizens of Georgia. It may be easier for him to resign then others because his district is mainly Republican, but I also believe that if a Democrat does get elected to feel his seat he will have slighted not only his constituents but his party. In this day and age you can never be to sure how Republican or how Democrat any area is because most are not one of the two but in the middle.
How did he vote on that bill related to Georgia Power’s right to bill us for a plant that doesn’t exist yet? Did he buck the party leadership then? If so, he will go to the top of my list.
He voted with GA Citizens AGAINST SB 31
http://swgapolitics.com/index/2009/02/26/these-representatives-care-about-ga-citizens/
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2009_10/votes/hv0087.htm
Thanks for the info, good to know.
Also should note (since it came up) that among those members of the General Assembly currently running for a state wide office, these are the ones that voted AGAINST SB 31:
DuBose Porter (Governor)
Austin Scott (Governor)
Rob Teilhet (Attorney General)
Jeff Chapman (Governor)
Others of note recently that also voted AGAINST SB 31:
Bobby Reese (CD-9)
Kasim Reed (Mayor of Atlanta)
Jill Chambers (re-election)
Looking at HB 614 (Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, another big issue for many bloggers, including this blog, back in the Session), this is the list that voted AGAINST:
Tom Knox (Insurance Commissioner)
Jeff Chapman (Governor)
Eric Johnson (Governor)
Kasim Reed (Mayor of Atlanta)
ga 1 is a pretty safely gop senate district, and everyone, in the district, i have spoken to since this broke is very comfortable and supportive of EJ’s decision and noone feels offended or abandoned…
Just think about the cost of these special elections.
Yeah, why is the state spending good money on legitimate government functions when it can be doing things with that money that it has no business doing.
this special will coincide w/ the already scheduled municipal elections taking place this november, so the additional cost will be minimal, as many places were already gearing up for elections in 07…
I tend to agree with Scott, if you are elected to server for a peroid of time you should unless you are barred by something like death, mental instability, being imprisoned, etc.
Simply running for higher office shouldn’t be a clear go ahead to throw off your other duties. It’s not like the Senate load is oh so burdensome right now.
No matter what, this will add an additional cost to the municipal elections. You know what cost means, right? Less of that green stuff, the stuff the state is running out of. Yeah, brill ant idea. I’ll support Johnson in this when he completely funds the Special Election.
Actually it will be an additional cost to the counties; specifically in the unincorprated areas. There should be no cost to the incorporated areas as they will already be holding municipal elections anyway.
It may not be much of a cost for the local communities who are already set up for a local election, but the BIG savings comes from the candidates who were already lined up to take advantage of the domino effect (Carter and Purcell) and the jump they have on their opponents. What do they care what it costs the government, i.e. the taxpayers, as long as they can save some money on an election. Once again, a brilliant move on Dave’s part. Not that I find it in any way in the best interest of the voters, in fact I think it’s reprehensible, but you have to hand it to the man for doing what he is paid for.
Ronald
“Simply running for higher office shouldn’t be a clear go ahead to throw off your other duties. It’s not like the Senate load is oh so burdensome right now.”
I may have missed if someone pointed it out, but I don’t believe it was the “burden of office” that caused the resignation but the “burden of not being able to legally raise money while in session”. By resigning, Johnson gains months of fund raising while some opponents are hamstrung. It’s a logical move on his part and I’m sure that if Buddy Carter wins his seat that the legislative results will be quite similar as if Eric was still in office.
And just as soon as he takes that money and pays for the entire special election, I’ll be willing to accept that.
Even in cities where elections will be held, there is still an increased cost. Don’t forget the fact now that people will be asked to contribute more to secure their legislator, and more yard signs.
Likely the only good thing to come out of this, for the people, is the more work our trashmen will get.
if you look at the sos website under elections you will see several dates on the calender listed as special election dates–these are dates set aside in advance when a special election may occur–the chief elections officer already operates under the assumption that the need may arise for special elections and has a mechanism in place for them–incidently kasim reed’s senate seat and like 3 or 4 other house seats are being contested on this day as well…
Having dates set aside “just in case” and having to pay for it are two separate things. Just sayin’.
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