Oconee County, GA Politics

U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss to announce retirement

Oglethorpe County GOP chair and North Oconee HS teacher Kirk Shook was mentioned as a possible candidate for the Republican nomination for the former Bob Smith seat for the Georgia House of Representatives 113th district, which stretches from Walton Oconee to Oglethorpe County encompassing all of Oconee County and chunk of Clarke County as well. Kirk Shook teaches economics and government at North Oconee High School in Bogart. One possible problem is that State of Georgia employees such as teachers would have to resign to run for state office. He is a tough academic instructor, according to someone who respects his rigor, but also is extremely conservative.  As a county party chair, he would also have to resign that to run as well.  Oconee County GOP chair Jay Hanley expressed desire to one day run for higher office but does not want to run at this time. 

With this reasonably short political season until qualifying for the Georgia House of Representatives 113th district suddenly wide open due to the unexpected decision by Bob Smith to stay in Oconee County instead and sell his real estate with his family, it will take someone with deep pockets or resources to be able to foot the bill and run for this position.  In this economy, that rules out most developers, leaving the lawyers and insurance agents and perhaps upper level medical practitioners to battle the extremely lucky or wealthy to get their act together to run for this office. Could Chairman G. Melvin Davis decide he is tired of dealing with the supposed erosion of his Board of Commissioners and opt for the 40 days and nights of road trips to Atlanta? Does not seem too likely since he does not like to drive to Athens, yet alone do what it takes to make a deal to work together in the economic best interests of both counties. Exactly whom would toss their hat in the ring at...