Michael Thurmond dismisses theories about his candidacy, including one that says he is running to boost black voter turnout for Roy Barnes.

From the ajc:

[Labor Commissioner Michael] Thurmond dismisses theories he said he has heard about his candidacy, including one that says he is running to boost black voter turnout for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Roy Barnes. He called that theory nonsense and said he is running because he thinks he can do a better job in the Senate.

Whoever wins the Democratic primary will face a tough fight against Isakson. The senator had $4.4 million in campaign cash on hand as of the end of March, federal records show. He defeated Denise Majette -- a black Democratic challenger -- for his Senate seat in 2004 with 57.9 percent of the vote. He has also built up strong name recognition by previously serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, in the Georgia Legislature and as chairman of the Georgia Board of Education.

“Johnny Isakson is probably the most popular politician in Georgia,” said Charles Bullock, a University of Georgia political scientist. “While Mike Thurmond would have been the odds-on favorite for another term as labor commissioner, he is a very long shot to become Georgia’s next senator.”