It’s no criticism on my part of Deal in saying he’s not likely to be the nominee. Oxendine has been the leading candidate for some time now, and by all accounts was the likeliest successor to Perdue.
Deal faced an enormous difficulty in winning the nomination for Governor if only because GA has not been favorably inclined to electing federal officials to the State House. The last Governor to have been elected who previously served in the House was Thomas William Hardwick in 1920 (who served both a stint in the House and the Senate, but was already out of office by the time he was elected Governor). The last person to have gone directly from Congress to the Governorship was the legendary Alexander Hamilton Stephens in 1882.
I haven’t put that much deep historical thought into it. My opinion is that Deal, as my congressman has done a great job. John Oxendine as IC has also done an excellent job. I say let Nathan stay where he is and give Oxy more power.
I just want to know which candidate in this safe district is the most conservative. Don Balfour seems to be too establishment.