Former Senator David Perdue Opts Out of 2022 Run–Who Could Run?
As Lawton posted earlier, former US Senator David Perdue sent out an email message this morning to supporters letting them know his and Bonnie’s decision to not run for Senator Raphael Warnock’s seat in 2022.
With Senator Perdue bowing out of a run, this leaves the 2022 GOP nomination wide open. Former Congressman Doug Collins’ name has already been floated as a possibility (as well as a primary challenge to Governor Brian Kemp). There will certainly be a flurry of Republicans, but I’m interested to see how much President Donald Trump will put his fingers in the Georgia Republican Party pie.
Y’all can start the speculating machine in the comments, but I’ll prime the pump with two names: Georgia GOP Chairman David Shafer and SOS Chief Operating Officer Gabriel Sterling. I can see Shafer courting Trump voters–even if Collins gets the Trump seal–by pointing to his voracious defense of the President’s rhetoric of voter fraud. I can also see Sterling being the counter-balance to that–and being able to leverage his center stage performance after Georgia’s elections to discuss claims made by President Trump and Chairman Shafer–offering a more traditional conservative Republican candidacy.
I will also note, I have not spoken to either man about this. It’s purely speculative and doesn’t mean that they are entertaining the idea of running for this or any other office. Opine who you believe which Republicans will (or who you would like to see) qualify in 2022 for US Senate.
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nsmith
Father. IT Geek. Former 14th District GOP Chairman (2015-2017). Former Walker GOP Chairman (2009-2013). Resident of Chamblee. American. Georgian. Conservative.
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This feels like it has the makings of a red meat food fight primary, which serves as a gift to Senator Warnock. Shafer/Collins feel the best positioned out of the gate but I think you’ll get 5+ people trying to win a plurality of the die-hards. Jody Hice could perform well in that slop. I foresee this as a train-wreck.
If the GOP actually wants to win the seat for 6 years: Geoff Duncan. I think he’s got the best chance to pick off independents and win the suburbs, but I also think he’s smart enough to see this is going to be a food-fight and focus on either of the 2026 seats (Senator/Governor)
Possible candidates are Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Harold Melton, the only Black justice currently on the court who is stepping down later this year; and Loeffler, who was appointed by Gov. Brian Kemp to fill the seat after Johnny Isakson’s retirement.
I think Doug Collins will run for governor.
Look it – baseball players are hawt. Hard stop. (FULL respect to his wife.)
Historically and psychologically attractive people are easier to elect.
JFK was the pretty C- student who hired A+ nerds to get sht done.
I would vote for Duncan completely contingent upon how competent and diverse he placed people on this team.
Here’s a name from left field–Brian Kemp. I can see Kemp deciding it would be easier to take down a black Baptist preacher from Atlanta than worry about Collins in the gov’s primary and then a candidate in Abrams who’s not only smarter and richer but wants to send him home in a body bag.
FFS – not Collins, not Shafer. My ovaries can’t even.
I’m definitely not one to say “wait your turn” but why can’t Raffensperger slide over to this race and Sterling take SOS? I think Sterling would be a fair SOS, but I wouldn’t vote for him as Senator.
Based on the limited media sampling, I didn’t sense any such political ambition from Sterling. He could change, of course, but he seemed very much at home in role of good governance without the political theatrics. Kemp and Duncan will stay put, of course, and Collins surely sees a better and maybe easier path to Senate than gov’s mansion. Perhaps he and Shafer will decide which if them will be running in which race. Will there be moderate Republicans running? How does Sonny feel about the Senate? A courageous moderate may be hard to find…
When will my fellow Pubs wake the heck up. Trump and you Trump zealots, are the most toxic thing that has ever happened to the Republican Party. Anyone like Collins, Shafer or any other puppet for Trump will NEVER win a statewide election in Georgia.
I would hope Kingston would jump in the race. I agree Duncan would be an excellent choice but also do not see him jumping in. Melton, who should have been Kemps choice instead of barbie, is probably too old to run but hey why not, I think the average age of the Senate is 76.
With nationwide polling showing 46% of Republicans would leave the party to back Trump I’m curious to know how much higher that number is in Georgia. Given that, and considering recent trends within the state party, it will be a Trumper (with the caveat being if they can actually get something to stick to the Teflon Don). My guess ranked by… well, you figure it out:
1. David Shafer
2. Jody Hice
3. Debbie Dooley
4. Lin Wood
i hinted at it the other day, i’ll go ahead and say it here since i’ve heard the rumor a couple of times now from pretty different sources…herschel walker…
I could see that flying.
I don’t know what his stance is on any topic meaning his team could craft it to be whatever people want to hear.
And SEC followers are the entire spectrum from big money to racist Trumpers. “See, I’m not racist – I’m voting for a black guy.”