Maynard Jackson not likely to run for U.S. Senate (Georgia)

Atlanta Journal-Constitution ^ | 2/19/03 | Ernie Suggs

[LdSentinal]

Former Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson said today it is highly unlikely that he will run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Zell Miller.

"I've been taking a look at this issue and the research I've been doing is not complete," Jackson said. "But the closer I look, the less likely are the probabilities that I will run."

Jackson made his comments amid speculation that he would announce his candidacy at the Butler Street YMCA Hungry Club luncheon at noon today.

The 64-year-old former three-term Atlanta mayor cited personal, family and business interests as reasons for his current thinking.

Jackson said he would have to give up his position in the investment firm of Jackson Securities if he decided to run.

The only declared candidate for the Senate seat is U.S. Rep. Johnny Isakson, a Republican from Marietta.

[LdSentinal]

Ping

[LdSentinal]

I read on another website that John Oxendine has pulled out of the race. Can anybody please confirm this?

[Howie66]

Maynard G Krebbs said: "WORK!?!?!?" when asked if he was running.

[LdSentinal]

I got the article.

Oxendine bows out

Former Mayor Will Not Run for Senate

ATLANTA (AP) -- Former Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson and state Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine announced Wednesday they will not run for the U.S. Senate when Zell Miller retires.

Jackson said he has not definitely made his decision, but it's highly unlikely he would run.

"I've been taking a look at this issue and the research I've been doing is not complete," Jackson said. "But the closer I look, the less likely are the probabilities that I will run."

Oxendine said he has a commitment to his family and to serve his term as insurance commissioner rather than run for Senate.

Jackson, 64, is a former three-time Atlanta mayor. Oxendine, 40, has been insurance commissioner since 1994.

The only declared candidate for the Senate seat is U.S. Rep. Johnny Isakson, R-Marietta.

[Kuksool]

Since Maynard Jackson won't be facing Bob Barr in the general election, Jackson's chance of winning the open Senate seat fell to extremely unlikely.

[votelife]

Maynard's response to the race is a realziation that 1. He can't win. and 2. Who's to say the DNC will support him?

[LdSentinal]

Hmmm . . . don't count on that happening.

[JohnnyZ]

Wow, Oxendine's gonzo . . . looks like I can stop pulling his bandwagon around . . . heh heh.

All Aboard the Kingston Locomotive!!!

[fieldmarshaldj]

"All Aboard the Kingston Locomotive!!!"

Choo Choo ! :-)

[LdSentinal]

What happened to Oxendine? Several weeks ago he said he was going to announce rather soon. He seemed rather adamant about running for the seat. I wonder if he got orders from above (aka Karl Rove) to stay out of the race.

[JohnnyZ]

I think he may have gotten some pressure, but also if Kingston said he was going to run Oxendine may have said, "well, gee, you're conservative, I'm conservative, I like you, you'd be a good candidate and senator as I would, there's really no sense in both of us running.

"Besides, I'm only 40 years old, got my whole life ahead of me to run for stuff."

Which is true, he could be Sec State, Governor, eventually Senator, join Bush's or another future cabinet, etc.

[AnAmericanMother]

I would support Isakson if he changed his social position to solidly conservative.

Ain't gonna happen. He's my representative, and unfortunately his district includes the most liberal enclave in Cobb County (Vinings). The woodwork there is crawling with liberals that commute to the City of Atlanta just over the river. If he didn't stay socially liberal he'd never get reelected.

That said, he will have to change his spots to campaign statewide. Nobody can get elected to statewide office here relying entirely upon the liberal vote in Atlanta.

[KQQL]

rove showed up/////

[KQQL]

@

[AuH2ORepublican]

Has Jack Kingston expressed any interest in the race? As soon as Zell announced he wasn't running, I've been telling everyone I know that Kingston's the man and waiting for him to declare his candidacy, and weeks have passed and still nothing. Meanwhile, the infanticidal Isakson is out raising money for the campaign. Kingston had better step up soon or it may be too late.

[fieldmarshaldj]

You have to take a look at the Presidential percentages there. Despite liberal enclaves, it's still a GOP seat, and will elect whomever the party nominee is, Conservative or otherwise. There was this same panic in NJ-5 (the Marge Roukema seat) that only a liberal RINO could hold it when she retired, and Conservative anti-Roukemite Scott Garrett put that myth to rest (another Bush-winning district). Where demographics would doom us would be in the suburban Atlanta seat now held by Denise Majette, though there was a slim chance we could've picked it up in an open capacity in the '90s with an Isakson type. Had Kabul Cindy pulled out a win in the 'Rat primary, we might've actually won it this past election.