Allen Peake Not Running For Re-Election

There have been a lot of folks announce they are not running for re-election this year, but this one is a bit of a surprise and a game changer. State Representative Allen Peake (R-Macon) will not be returning to the Georgia House next year.

Greg Bluestein of the AJC has Peake’s announcement via Twitter.

Peake is best known as the person who put the issue of medical marijuana firmly into Georgia’s political narrative. He put the idea of legalizing marijuana from a literal joke into law in two years (with a bill passed by the House almost unanimously the first year). He’s a man of influence, and one who has shown that a politician can still lead if he’s determined and dedicated to change public opinion – even within his own party.

Peake recently sold most of his restaurant holdings and rumors of higher office have remained constant. That door isn’t officially closed, but doesn’t appear to be an immediate plan either. His statement says “I have decided that it is time to call it a career in politics”.

People are allowed to change their minds on such things. After all, he’s led his party to change their position on some big issues that don’t scratch the itch of the base. One day, the party may want – or need – him to change his.