The worst news of the week.
The worst news of the week was reported by Dick Pettys on Wednesday in Georgia InsiderAdvantage:
Three senior Democrats in the Georgia House said Wednesday they remain uncertain whether they will run as Democrats or Republicans when primary qualifying opens next month.
Reps. Richard Royal of Camilla, a 23-year veteran of the House, Butch Parrish of Swainsboro, in his 22nd year, and Mickey Channell of Greensboro, who has served for 14 years, all said they are undecided.
That’s a substantial brain drain from Democrats if the three qualify as Republicans, and the party’s outlook for next year is potentially worsened by planned or expected retirements. Rep. Terry Coleman, D-Eastman, the former speaker, already has said he will not seek re-election.
Royal chaired the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee, Parrish headed the banking committee and Channell was chairman of industrial relations as well as the Legislature’s point-man on health care issues and Medicaid.
All three lost their titles and Capitol offices when Republicans took power two years ago but have managed to remain influential because of their expertise.
Coleman, the former Speaker, said it’s probably up to the party whether the three stay or go.
“The people you’re talking about are conservative Democrats and I think their future depends on the willingness of the Democratic Caucus and the Democratic Party to move more toward the center. If the party does and the caucus does, I think they might stay. And if the party doesn’t and the caucus doesn’t move to the center – where they (Channell, Parrish and Royal) are _ they may leave. It’s just that simple," Coleman said.
Three senior Democrats in the Georgia House said Wednesday they remain uncertain whether they will run as Democrats or Republicans when primary qualifying opens next month.
Reps. Richard Royal of Camilla, a 23-year veteran of the House, Butch Parrish of Swainsboro, in his 22nd year, and Mickey Channell of Greensboro, who has served for 14 years, all said they are undecided.
That’s a substantial brain drain from Democrats if the three qualify as Republicans, and the party’s outlook for next year is potentially worsened by planned or expected retirements. Rep. Terry Coleman, D-Eastman, the former speaker, already has said he will not seek re-election.
Royal chaired the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee, Parrish headed the banking committee and Channell was chairman of industrial relations as well as the Legislature’s point-man on health care issues and Medicaid.
All three lost their titles and Capitol offices when Republicans took power two years ago but have managed to remain influential because of their expertise.
Coleman, the former Speaker, said it’s probably up to the party whether the three stay or go.
“The people you’re talking about are conservative Democrats and I think their future depends on the willingness of the Democratic Caucus and the Democratic Party to move more toward the center. If the party does and the caucus does, I think they might stay. And if the party doesn’t and the caucus doesn’t move to the center – where they (Channell, Parrish and Royal) are _ they may leave. It’s just that simple," Coleman said.
posted by Sid Cottingham | 1:58 PM
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