Today’s hyperpartisan political environment seems like the least likely time a Democrat would endorse a Republican for statewide office, or vice versa.
But today, former Gov. Roy Barnes, the state’s last Democratic governor, endorsed Republican state Sen. Tyler Harper, a farmer running for state agriculture commissioner.
Barnes hinted at the endorsement during a live event with your Insiders last month, noting that he wasn’t reflexively supporting every candidate from his party.
At the same event, he also said he was intensely worried about the hyperpartisan state of national and state politics today. “We’re very polarized and I don’t understand it,” Barnes said. “It’s like both parties took a bottle of crazy pills and decided that they’re going to go to extremes.”
In a statement this week, Barnes said he valued Harper’s “ability to put politics aside and put the people of Georgia first.”
Harper is no moderate. He supported the slate of conservative legislation pushed by Gov. Brian Kemp and his allies, including anti-abortion limits, looser gun restrictions and an overhaul of Georgia’s election laws.
But he also found common cause with Democrats in the state Senate on agriculture issues, in particular.
Credit: Steve Schaefer / AJC
Credit: Steve Schaefer / AJC
Harper has run a quietly effective down-ballot campaign as he prepares to face Democrat Nakita Hemingway. He scared off primary opposition, allowing him to consolidate GOP support early.
He’s raised close to $2 million, and he can tap an immense private fortune. And he’s traveled the state aggressively, showing up recently at a GOP Jewish event in Sandy Springs. Many Republicans see him as a likely contender for higher office in 2026.
Harper’s general election message has veered toward a broader electorate, focusing on votes to suspend the state gas tax and adopt an income tax cut. He echoed that message trumpeting Barnes’ blessing.
“Even though Gov. Barnes and I may not see eye to eye on every policy position, I look forward to our continued work together to ensure the Georgia agriculture industry is successful.”
Hemingway said that Harper “everything the Democratic Party has been working against for the last five years or longer,” pointing out that he supported SB 202, the state’s election overhaul, and the “Constitutional Carry” law that eliminated the license required to carry a firearm in public.
Of Barnes, she said, “My campaign has better things to worry about than a one-term governor who hasn’t won an election since 1998.”
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Credit: Arvin Temkar / AJC
Credit: Arvin Temkar / AJC
ABRAMS ON POLLS. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution released a poll Wednesday showing Stacey Abrams trailing Gov. Brian Kemp 41% to 51%. But the Abrams camp has made it clear they believe polls are not reflecting what they believe will be a higher turnout among voters being motivated by issues like abortion.
In an interview with the “On with Kara Swisher” podcast, Abrams was asked about the string of recent polls that show her trailing Kemp. Here is how she responded:
“What we know is that based on our internal polling, based on what we saw happen with mind numbing regularity in 2018, is that the polls are going to look and they're going to see that in a state that is shifting — both in terms of partisanship and in terms of demographic composition — that I'm going to be behind by a bit.
But what we do know is that my ability and my capacity to invest in turnout is what changed the game in '18. It's what won the game in '20 and '21. And we are going to continue to do that work because I see polls as a snapshot, not a predictor."
She also took a shot at the “lionization" of Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger for defying Donald Trump's call to overturn the 2020 election.
“When you deny access, that is equally pernicious because you don't have to manipulate the outcome if you can constrain the access. And any Secretary of State like Brad Raffensperger, who will work so hard to deny access, does not deserve the mantle of being a democracy defender. And so once again, getting credit for one moment of either bravery or clarity does not dispel years of bad behavior."
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WRAPPING UP. In Washington, the U.S. House select committee investigating the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021, will hold its ninth, and possibly final, hearing this afternoon.
The committee is expected to show new footage of the attacks and excerpts from previously unseen recorded testimony from witnesses. No live testimony is expected today.
The hearing is designed to give a broad overview of how the insurrection unfolded, and what former President Donald Trump’s actions and likely mindset were that day.
The committee is expected to release a report of its findings, likely after the midterm elections.
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Credit: AJC
Credit: AJC
DEBATE PREP. If you’re seeing less of your favorite candidates on the campaign trail this week, that may be because they’re locked in a room with advisers prepping their policy plans and one-liners for an upcoming debate.
Tomorrow’s showdown between Herschel Walker and U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock in Savannah is a prelude to a series of debates ahead.
The Atlanta Press Club will host debates Sunday through Tuesday for all statewide candidates and contested congressional seats, with Gov. Brian Kemp and Stacey Abrams scheduled to debate Monday.
In addition to major-party candidates to debate, the organization also invites Libertarians on the ballot, a practice of including third-party contenders that many other outlets avoid.
But as we’ve told you, Walker still hasn’t formally rejected the group’s invite for Sunday, but is unlikely to attend. And he’s not the only one.
Mike Collins, the GOP nominee for the 10th District, declined his invite after doing two APC primary debates, while two Democratic House incumbents — Reps. Lucy McBath and David Scott — haven’t responded at all.
“There are two Republicans and two Democrats who may not be participating, so the idea of avoiding a debate in Georgia is split between the parties,” said Lauri Strauss, the director of the APC debate series.
“It’s part of their civic duty to hold themselves accountable, not only to the local journalism community but also to the voters of Georgia,” said Strauss.
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ON THE TRAIL:
- Gov. Brian Kemp’s bus tour continues today with a breakfast at Kebo’s BBQ & More in Camilla followed by stops at Willis Park in Bainbridge and the Blakely Court Square.
- Democratic governor hopeful Stacey Abrams will be in Savannah to participate in an issues forum with the NAACP. Issues on the agenda include education, healthcare, affordable housing and jobs.
- State Sen. Jen Jordan, the Democratic nominee for attorney general, will attend the Galeo Hispanic Heritage Month luncheon today at the Crown Plaza in Norcross.
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MCCARTHY MONEY. House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy is headed to Georgia on Monday to hold a fundraiser for Chris West, the Republican nominee in the state’s most competitive House race.
McCarthy and West, who faces veteran U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop in the 2nd District, will be joined by the Georgia GOP House delegation and several other Republican figures, including former U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss.
West reported raising about $340,000 in the last three-month period and ended the quarter with about $420,000 cash in the bank. Bishop hasn’t yet disclosed his totals, but had $1.1 million on hand at the end of June.
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HUD IN GA. U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge is traveling to Georgia today, starting with a meeting in Atlanta with HBCU presidents and others to discuss homeownership and asset building.
She’ll then head to Columbus to make an announcement regarding the Emergency Housing Voucher program and hold an affordable housing forum with U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop and Columbus Mayor Skip Henderson.
Finally, Fudge will head back to Atlanta on Friday for an appearance with Mayor Andre Dickens at First United Methodist Church to talk about how HUD programs can foster healthy neighborhoods.
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Credit: File photo
Credit: File photo
MOVING ON. Judy Fitzgerald, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, is retiring from state service at the end of the year, the AJC’s Katherine Landergan reports.
The all-important agency delivers state mental health and substance abuse services and was instrumental in the recent mental health care overhaul that lawmakers passed earlier this year.
Fitzgerald has served as the commissioner of the department since 2016.
In a letter to her staff, Fitzgerald said that she has witnessed an “extraordinary transformation” over the last decade, with far less stigma for those seeking mental health care and state leaders who want to help Georgians with mental illness or disabilities to lead “fulfilling lives.”
Fitzgerald said that over the next several weeks she will work with Gov. Brian Kemp to ensure a smooth transition.
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Credit: Alyssa Pointer / AJC
Credit: Alyssa Pointer / AJC
VOTERS’ GUIDE. With early voting starting Monday, don’t forget to get up to speed on the candidates and issues before you make your picks.
The AJC Voters’ Guide is now available and will be updated as events warrant up to Election Day.
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AS ALWAYS, Jolt readers are some of our favorite tipsters. Send your best scoop, gossip and insider info to patricia.murphy@ajc.com, tia.mitchell@ajc.com and greg.bluestein@ajc.com.
