‘A circus.’ Georgia candidates race to qualify for office

Photos: Candidates qualify for Georgia 2020 elections

Election 2020: Track who is running in Georgia's elections

Just minutes later, Loeffler and Gov. Brian Kemp stood side-by-side to outline a different approach to the race. With her allies pummeling Collins on the airwaves as a faux conservative, she needn’t bother taking any shots at her opponent.

“I’m working on uniting Republicans so that we win this state,” Loeffler said, adding: “You’ll see by my work in Washington that the work I’m doing is going to lift Georgians up.”

And so began Georgia’s qualifying period, a chaotic weeklong stretch where rival candidates rub shoulders with one another, surprise decisions could quickly reshape contests and party poohbahs race to recruit contenders for open seats.

Credit: Bob Andres

Credit: Bob Andres

Dozens of candidates filled out paperwork to compete for Georgia’s two U.S. Senate seats, 14 U.S. House seats and all 236 seats in the Georgia General Assembly. There was even a good-natured race to see who could qualify first, with U.S. Sen. David Perdue jockeying for the honor.

Later, the incumbent stood before dozens of Republican officials to trumpet his campaign for a second term and reflect on how Georgia politics has transformed since his 2014 election.

“Six years ago, I stood right here and said, ‘Washington’s broken and if you want to see different results, send a different person,’ ” Perdue said, adding: “I didn’t see Donald Trump coming, but thank God, God sent him.”

But what about fears that Republican divisions could give Democrats an opening to seize both U.S. Senate seats? Perdue said he’d be a voice for party cohesion, and that he wouldn’t wade into the brutal contest over who should fill out the remaining two years of retired U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson’s term.

“My role as a senior senator is to make sure Republicans stay united,” he said. “That’s the first thing.”

With no primary to hash out candidates, the race for Loeffler’s seat will feature a jumble of candidates from all parties on the same ballot in November. Three well-known Democrats also intend to qualify this week, raising the likelihood of a January runoff if no contender gets a majority of the vote.

Credit: Bob Andres

Credit: Bob Andres

Perdue has his own problems to worry about. At least three prominent Democratic challengers are racing to compete against him. Former Columbus Mayor Teresa Tomlinson became the first of them to qualify, knocking policies that “failed Georgians.”

“I’ve got the mixture of fresh ideas, and I’ve actually made government work for people,” she said.

‘No prisoners’

There were other standout moments during the hectic morning, the busiest time for qualifying. U.S. Rep. John Lewis, who recently revealed a diagnosis of late-stage pancreatic cancer, quickly filled out paperwork to dispel any rumors that he wouldn’t stand for another term.

“I’m getting better, I’m feeling good, and I feel stronger and stronger,” the Atlanta Democrat said. “I was in Selma, Ala., yesterday, and believe me, I’m inspired more than ever before to get out there and run.”

Also qualifying Monday was U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath, who evoked memories of the last time she made this pilgrimage to the Statehouse in 2018. At the time, she was flirting with a run for a seat in the Georgia House before she quickly changed course and opted for a congressional bid.

“We’ve been very engaged with our constituents,” she said, “and I just want to continue to bring value to them.”

Credit: Ben@bengray.com

Credit: Ben@bengray.com

All around her, there was a clamorous din from droves of Statehouse candidates fighting to keep their seats — and anxious for word about potential challengers. Some incessantly scrolled through the latest list of candidates online searching for competitors. Some traded rumors in the cramped Gold Dome corridors.

"It's a circus," said state Rep. Al Williams, a Midway Democrat first elected in 2002. "A guy told me he was running against me. I told him I don't observe the Geneva Accords — I don't take prisoners. I'm doing head shots."

Arthur Tripp Jr. felt like a political exile. As an independent, he had to qualify in a separate office building to run for a Gwinnett County-based state Senate seat. He was upbeat as he ventured across the street to the Gold Dome.

“We’re bringing people in who are giving up on the process,” said Tripp, a former University of Georgia administrator. “People say I’m crazy, but I think it’s so crazy it just might work.”

Then there were a small handful with a look of pure relief on their mugs. They were a distinct niche of politician: lawmakers who had announced plans to retire and, blissfully, didn’t have to worry about last-minute shenanigans.

As anxious lawmakers buzzed around him, Republican state Rep. Terry Rogers of Clarkesville stood as calmly as a sentinel. He had announced plans to retire days earlier, and he shared a story as he watched his colleagues jostle for a turn in line.

“This gentleman was complaining to me about an issue he wanted to see us take up and said, ‘If you don’t get it done, I’m never voting for you again,’ ” Rogers said. “I told him, ‘Sir, neither am I.’”