Georgia’s newly-appointed State Schools Superintendent, Brad Bryant, is a Republican who wishes to run in this November’s election. Because he was not appointed to the job until after qualifying for the Republican primary had closed, he cannot run in the Republican primary on July 20. Georgia does not permit write-ins in partisan primaries. Instead, he will attempt to qualify as an independent candidate. He needs 44,089 valid signatures by July 13.
The Georgia Republican Party will help him with his petition. The Republican who was elected to this position in 2006, Kathy Cox, resigned on May 17, after she had filed for re-election in the Republican primary. Filing for the primary closed on April 30. Cox’s name will continue to appear on the Republican primary ballot, but signs will be posted in polling places saying votes for her will not be counted. Two other Republicans had filed to run against her, and one of them will be the Republican nominee. They are John D. Barge and Richard Woods. But the Governor, and Republican Party leaders, support Bryant. There will also be a Democrat and a Libertarian on the November ballot for this office.
No one has ever completed a statewide independent candidate petition in Georgia for any office other than President. The petition has been required since 1943. Between 1943 and 1979, statewide independents needed signatures equal to 5% of the number of registered voters. From 1979 to 1985, the requirement was 2.5%. Since 1985 it has been 1%. For district and county office, the requirement has been 5% since 1943.
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While this Mr. Bryant is obviously a “secular conservative” Republican, or else the GOP would not be helping him with his “independent” petition.
Still, I hope he wins against the Democrat, the Libertarian, and whomever the “unknown” is who will be the official Republican nominee.
The reason I say this, is while compaigining for the Office of “Georgia State Schools Superintendant,” he will technically be running as an “Independent,” and this will help to “educate” voters and resist their natural resistance to vote for an “Independent” candidate.
Every little “victory” will eventually help to destroy the 2 party demonination of this country.
Can’t wait for the day to come!!!
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I hope this candidate makes it on the ballot as an independent. I favor any kind of object lesson in the utility of open ballots. Always interesting to see the major parties run afoul of the incumbent protection they themselves put in place and maintain.
…Even better if he actually is elected, because it will encourage future independents (beyond the usual delusional types that seem to crawl out of the woodwork around election season).