Westmoreland (R) starts campaign (GA-8)

Atlanta Journal-Constitution ^ | 6/10/03 | Jim Tharpe

[LdSentinal]

The leading Republican in the state House formally announced his plans Tuesday to run for the 8th Congressional District seat now held by U.S. Rep. Mac Collins. State Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (R-Sharpsburg) kicked off his campaign at the state Capitol followed by stops in Macon, Columbus and LaGrange.

Westmoreland, 53, said he will continue as House minority leader through the next legislative session. State Sen. Mike Crotts (R-Conyers) has also announced plans to run for the congressional seat, and Dylan Glenn, an aide to Gov. Sonny Perdue, has been mentioned as a possible candidate. Collins is leaving his congressional job to run for the U.S. Senate.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Man, this will be a tough choice of whom to support. I'd love to see Dylan Glenn finally get his due. However, Westmoreland should really stay put in the legislature.

[Impy]

Why does Glenn deserve it?

[fieldmarshaldj]

Glenn is a talented young African-American Conservative and twice previously ran in Sanford Bishop's district (losing the nomination once and then winning it in '00). He'd make a fine Congressman and would complement Herman Cain. :-)

[AuH2ORepublican]

I'd rather have Glenn run against Sanford Bishop again. He got 46% in 2000, and the RAT redistricting didn't make the district THAT much more Democratic (Bush got 54% under the old lines, and 50% under the new lines). If Cain gets the Senate nomination, and with Bush atop the ticket, Glenn could have a real shot of beating Bishop. And even if he doesn't, a close race could finally convince Sanford Bishop to join the GOP.

[fieldmarshaldj]

I still think Bishop is too tough to dislodge. He goes out of his way to be non-offensive to his constituents. Until he retires or really screws up, this one we may have to write off, I'm afraid. If Glenn can win it in the Gingrich-Isakson seat, let him try. He sure is an improvement over Isakson.

[JohnnyZ]

Re Dylan Glenn, back the candidacy caravan up! He's just been mentioned for three CDs on this thread: Mac Collins, Johnny Isakson, and Sanford Bishop. I'm guessing he lives in Collins' district now . . . ? Residency DOES count for something, folks.

[Kuksool]

I'm surprised Bob Barr hasn't tried moving into the GA-08 to run for Congress again.

[AuH2ORepublican]

"Residency DOES count for something, folks."

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Well, Glenn lived in Bishop's district until he was redistricted out in 2002. If he moved back into the district, he wouldn't exactly be a carpetbagger. And, since there is no constitutional requirement to live in the district you represent (see, e.g., Chris Chocola in Indiana), only that you live in the state you represent, Glenn could run in the 2nd District even without moving.

[fieldmarshaldj]

I could say that his "shopping" for districts could be an issue, but not for the 'Rats if he makes it to the general. Stating that the grotesque ways the lines were drawn by the 'Rats forces good people that wish to serve the public to have to "pick a seat" rather than naturally run where they live in the lines were remotely contiguous.

[Amish]

Don't see a single county in Collin's district which was in the 2nd when Glenn last ran. As an aide to the Governor, perhaps his residence is now in the suburban Atlanta region, but I agree that the appearance of "district shopping" will not work for him.

Had thought he might be selected the new state GOP Chm. but that did not happen. I don't know the Ga. state laws, but if the Governor gets to appoint behind vacating state officeholders, then that would be a good next step into the electoral world.