Terry McMahon's Awesome Blog

Governor (Republican-held)
Sonny Perdue (R) 55 - Mark Taylor (D) 43
It's hard to overstate how far Georgia Democrats have fallen in the last four years. When Perdue won this office in 2002, beating Democratic incumbent and then-potential presidential candidate Roy Barnes, it was the political shocker of the year. Even afterward, Perdue's win was largely credited to Saxby Chambliss' ill-gotten Senate victory and a voter referendum on the state flag that turned out conservative votes. Since then, Democrats in the state legislature have been party-switching left and right - or I guess just right - and Democrats barely put up a fight in 2004 to contest the Senate seat given up by enormous traitor Zell Miller. Taylor is the lieutenant governor, but it doesn't look like he's found any traction here. I just hope Democrats can mount up enough for Max Cleland (or, as always, any other competent Democrat) to take out Chambliss in 2008.

GA-08 (Democratic-held)
Jim Marshall (D) 51 - Mac Collins (R) 48
Georgia marks the GOP's best chances at House pickups this year, mainly due to mid-decade redistricting exactly like Texas Republicans did in 2003. This time the results will be less dramatic, but there are still two endangered seats. Collins is a former congressman who lost a Senate primary in 2004 and now attempts a comeback. This one will be tough, but Marshall is well-established even in his reshaped district.

GA-12 (Democratic-held)
John Barrow (D) 52 - Max Burns (R) 47
Another seat thrown into doubt because of mid-decade redistricting, Barrow is also running against a former congressman, here opposing the guy he beat in 2004. Actually, Burns was considered an overmatched candidate before, supposedly having won the seat in 2002 only because the Democratic candidate was a poor choice by local machine politicians. I'm not sure what makes Burns such a better candidate this time, but again, the district is less favorable to Barrow than it was last time. I think Barrow pulls this one out.