GA GOP two options make Ossoff look even better; the one run-off I’m weighing in on is …

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It’s now abundantly clear that not only are the Georgia Republican Party’s two Senate options of poor candidate quality with mid-20th century ‘Jim Crow’ vision, they’re corrupt. Even worse for the Georgia GOP, they’re golden boy – governor Brian Kemp – has been pulled into the woodchipper and exposed as well.

With good local journalism disappearing – even in major hubs like Atlanta – it’s important to pay attention to when it’s still covering stories like these. The whole “Dooley-Kemp-other Dooley money funnel” story ⁠brought to light last week by WXIA-TV’s Doug Richards⁠ was actually touched on in a Substack piece by Georgia Politics & Polling (no author named). Still, hat-tip!

That sullies the already mediocre shine on the campaign of failed football coach Derek Dooley, son of UGA football legend Vince. It’s also tarnished the perception that Brian Kemp is an unblemished ‘rising star’ with 2028 aspirations.

Rep. Mike Collins, however, has long seemed to have⁠ issues with the company he keeps⁠ – notably his chief staffer and campaign manager Brandon Phillips. If Brandon’s not making repulsive statements about rape victims being “sloppy seconds,” he’s making sure his ⁠girlfriend gets paid via taxpayer dollars through an internship⁠ where she did nothing. Then there’s another staffer – Kip Talley – ⁠working double-time to free a Holocaust-denier⁠ – and bragging he’d do so in a group chat.

A whole lot of ‘ick’ on that run-off ballot.

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Speaking of run-offs, I’d opted not to weigh in on Georgia Democratic run-offs because I don’t see bad options; but the lieutenant governor’s race calls for commentary. Listen, I’ve no issues with ambition, but former Senator Nabilah Parkes put hers above her constituents, and her ⁠debate performance⁠ did little to make her look as a) a superior choice or b) a likable candidate (and she’s a likable person, so that’s baffling).

Leaving your post is one thing; leaving the middle of a General Assembly session is another. Trying to explain that your absence means nothing because the other side is the majority and will ram new maps through anyway smacks of ‘defeatism’ and her opponent, state Senator Josh McLaurin is right to point that out.