St. Sen. Nadine Thomas set to challenge Rep. Majette

[mndemocrat_29]

This from Roll Call:

State Sen. Nadine Thomas (D) said this week that she has formed an exploratory committee to look at challenging freshman Rep. Denise Majette (D) in a primary next year.

In an interview Tuesday, Thomas, who has represented DeKalb County in the state Legislature for 12 years, said she will make a final decision about the race after conducting a poll in the next few weeks.

Still, after hearing that Majette has been discussing the possibility of entering the Georgia Senate race, Thomas said that she too might toss her hat in the Senate ring.

"If the Congresswoman is bold enough to get in it, I may have to get in that Senate race too," Thomas said, arguing that there are more-seasoned potential Senate candidates in the state who have "paid their dues" like she has.

Here's the link:

http://www.rollcall.com/pub/49_57/atr/3693-1.html

Though I don't think it's a good idea, Thomas challenging Majette probably wouldn't cause us to a lose a seat. In actuality, Majette wouldn't seem to vulnerable to losing her seat.

However, we don't want a bloody primary in Georgia. Majette is by far the better candidate (as she already has experience on the national circuit, has access to campaign contributions, and, though she is a left of the middle Democrat, has the perception of being a fairly moderate Democrat, which is what a senator in the South has to do). With Majette we have a real shot of "keeping" (I put keeping in quotes because Zell isn't really a Democrat) this seat, mainly because we'll have the advantage of not having the bloody primary that the Republicans (Mac Collins and Johnny Isaakson) will have. However, if Thomas runs, we'll have a problem. I hope that Majette runs for the Senate, and that Thomas trys for the House seat (though she'll likely face McKinney in the primary).

[jiacinto]

1. The 4th is safe regardless

But I think that one of them should run for the Senate and the other for the House. As for McKinney she will have a tough race.

[mndemocrat_29]

2. I think that Majette should run for the Senate

And Thomas for the House. Thomas's support of McKinney may hinder her ability with moderate Democrats in Georgia. However, GA-4 is far more liberal and she should be able to easily win there.

[burr]

12. I think NadineThomas is mainly interested in beating Magette...

This is why she is saying that she would run for the U.S. Senate if Magette did. I also think Democrats who have served in the Georgia Senate for years, now hate being in the minority party. This is basically their way of throwing in the towel on Georgia politics...since in their minds they have nothing to lose. This also explains why four state Senators switched parties after the last election, they ran to be in the majority party..not to be Democrats.

Many Democrats in the state legislature have become even more demoralized by Zell Miller's political actions and his recent book. As the former Lt. Governor and now top Democrat in the state, his political views and predictions are given considerable weight by most state Democratic officeholders. As many as 17 DINOs in the Georgia House are considering switching parties, if that body goes Repuke in 2004. And currently Carol Jackson and Mike von Bremen, the Democratic Senate leader, are both considering possible bids for Zell's Senate seat..in addition to Squires and Thomas.

It was not the actions of national Democrats that have been destroying the Georgia Democratic Party, but the actions of people like Zell Miller, Larry Walker, and other state party officials which have been doing this!

[ulysses]

3. "However, we don't want a bloody primary in Georgia."

Why not? A bloody primary here seemed to be just fine with certain wings of the party in 2002.

[mndemocrat_29]

4. When was a bloody primary good in 2002?

It is never good to have a bloody primary with an incumbent, especially if the incumbent goes into the race as the frontrunner.

[ulysses]

7. a bloody primary was good, evidently,

when McKinney was the (ten-year) incumbent. If McKinney doesn't run for her old seat and Thomas does, I'll be behind Thomas all the way.

[David__77]

5. Majette for Senate

I support her for senate. I would like McKinney to seek an office of some sort. I do think she could reclaim her old seat. I can also foresee this being detrimental to Majette's senate campaign, unfortunately.

[jiacinto]

6. Well then

Would they both be willing to set aside their differences if 1) McKinney supports Majette's statewide bid and if 2) Majette reciprocates by endorsing McKinney?

[ulysses]

8. ?

Of course you didn't see the avalanche of four-color flyers mailed out in this district last year by the Majette campaign and detailing how "dangerous" McKinney was, but even still I'm not sure how you envision Majette endorsing McKinney for the same seat two years later.

[jiacinto]

9. It's politics

Anything can happen. But even if your hero runs for the seat she probably would have a tough time winning it back.

[ulysses]

10. LOL

Still predictable as the sun coming up, Carlos. I thought Nader was my hero, though.

on edit: I do have to wonder, if Majette runs in the 4th again, how well she'll do in this district now that her greatest benefactor has endorsed Shrimpy.

[jiacinto]

11. Two different people

I don't think that that will make a big difference. Has Majette been involved in a scandal? If not, unless she says something really stupid, I don't think she has much to worry about.

[Classical_Liberal]

13. I don't feel sorry for her

any dem that cares to take her out has my blessing. I had hoped McKinney would do it.