Georgia prepares to elect only its 3rd member of Congress to the U.S. Senate in almost a century

An 8-21-04 AP article notes that "Georgia has rarely relied on the congressional ranks as a farm system for a job in the upper chamber."

In November, when Georgia voters pick between Republican Rep. Johnny Isakson and Democratic Rep. Denise Majette, the state will elect its second senator from the House in two years. Republican Saxby Chambliss defeated incumbent Sen. Max Cleland in 2002.

Republicans rallied around the candidacy of Chambliss, from Moultrie in south Georgia, after Democrats in the state Legislature redrew his congressional district to make it more competitive.

Chambliss says he was fortunate to represent a district with a lot of military and agricultural interests, topics that are important statewide. When he decided to run, he rented an apartment in Atlanta and spent almost all his time there to boost his name recognition.

In the previous 89 years, only one Georgia senator came from the House. Wyche Fowler was elected in 1986, then was defeated in his first re-election bid six years later.

Frank Greer, a partner in the media consulting firm Greer Margolis Mitchell Burns, which handled Fowler's television ads, said even today it's almost impossible to run for Senate by touting only a House resume.

"People who run as a congressman, 'therefore I am qualified to be a senator,' are unsuccessful," Greer said. "Then you're running based on your voting record in Congress rather than your vision for the state."