The hotly contested races are over...

SD 21:  Chip Rogers over Brandon Beach
HD 20:  Michael Caldwell over Charlice Byrd
HD 21:  Sean Jerguson over Scot Turner
HD 23:  Mandi Ballinger

Sheriff:  Roger Garrison over David Waters
Tax Commissioner:  Sonya Little
BOE Chair:  Janet Read over Danny Dukes
BOE Post 1:  Kelly Marlow over Kyla Cromer
BOE Post 2:  Patsy Jordan over Kim Cochran

And a runoff for Jim Hubbard and (maybe?) Ray Gunnin

A disappearing blog post from Jim Galloway

Why did this blog post go missing from Jim Galloway's page?

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache%3Ablogs.ajc.com%2Fpolitical-insider-jim-galloway%2F2012%2F07%2F19%2Fbehind-nathan-deal%25E2%2580%2599s-announcement-to-end-ga-400-tolls%2F&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-Address&ie=&oe=&rlz=

It's an interesting read.

Ethics complaint filed against Chip Rogers

Fox 5 Atlanta investigative report Dale Russell has reported that their has been an ethics complaint filed against Chip Rogers.  Fox has a link up now to the video of the story:

http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/story/19076546/ga-republican-senate-pac-questioned

Rogers consistent in support of kitchen sink approach to education

Chip Rogers has drawn the ire of voters after comments about his support for vouchers at a recent debate.  Support of a state-wide voucher system would likely not pass constitutional muster, highlights Rogers' disdain for public education and shows his wanton delight in forcing taxpayers to finance religious organizations.

What is left out of his rhetoric is any concrete plan - other than "kitchen sink" - to improve education.  There is no evidence that broadly supports his privatize and outsource approach, whether it's charters, vouchers or virtual academies. 

We need real leadership that has the political courage to look at what has worked - in the United States and worldwide.  Weak-kneed corporate lackeys who can only parrot their masters' "choice" rhetoric need not apply. 

Beach candidacy challenge tossed

Jim Galloway of the AJC reports that "Administrative law judge Ronit Walker has turned down a challenge to the candidacy of Republican Brandon Beach of Alpharetta, who is running against Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers of Woodstock."

Read more:  http://blogs.ajc.com/political-insider-jim-galloway/2012/07/12/judge-tosses-challenge-to-brandon-beach-candidacy/