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April 27, 2009

Johnson running for Ga. governor

By SHANNON McCAFFREY

Associated Press Writer

ATLANTA (AP) — A top Republican state senator on Monday threw his hat in the 2010 Georgia governor’s race.

Eric Johnson, of Savannah, had been running for lieutenant governor. But he swapped races after Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle — a presumed front runner for the GOP nomination for governor — withdrew from that contest earlier this month citing health problems. Cagle said he’d instead seek re-election to his current seat. That pitted him against Johnson.

Johnson made the announcement on Monday as Cagle was undergoing surgery for a degenerative spinal condition. In a statement, he offered his prayers to Cagle and his family.

Johnson said his campaign would focus on jobs, education and ethics.

“As I traveled the state campaigning and visiting with Georgians from all walks of life, I was thrilled to see the support and encouragement we received in every corner of this state,” Johnson said Monday. “Georgians recognize that we need a steady, tested and experienced leader to address the challenges we face as a state and to build on the progress we’ve made under Republican leadership.”

He joins an already crowded field to replace Gov. Sonny Perdue when his second term expires. Among Republicans, Secretary of State Karen Handel, Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine and state Rep. Austin Scott have said they are running.

On the Democratic side, Attorney General Thurbert Baker, House Minority Leader DuBose Porter and former Georgia National Guard Commander David Poythress are in. Still unknown is whether former Gov. Roy Barnes will run. Barnes has said he’ll decide by June 1.

Johnson is the former president pro tem of the Senate. He gave up the post this year to run for lieutenant governor. Johnson pushed unsuccessfully to make Georgia the first state in the nation to offer universal school vouchers. That would have expanded upon a program he ushered through in 2007 that grants vouchers to special needs students.

He is currently chairman of the Senate Ethics Committee and led the effort this year to crack down on legislators who haven’t paid their taxes.

An architect, Johnson was first elected to the state Legislature in 1992.

Johnson’s decision could reverberate in the lieutenant governor’s race as well. State Sen. David Shafer, a Duluth Republican, had been planning to run against Johnson for the GOP nomination. Now with Johnson out and Cagle running as an incumbent, Shafer said he is weighing his options.

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On the Net:

Eric Johnson: www.johnsonforgeorgians.com

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