Blog for Democracy

And then there were none…

Whiskey. Tango. Foxtrot.

State Representative Kevin Levitas is not seeking reelection in House District 82. Just got this in my email box minutes ago… (no link available yet).

After a great deal of deliberation, I have decided not to seek re-election to the Georgia House of Representatives for a third term and will withdraw my name from consideration for the General Primary Election.

It has been a privilege to represent the 82nd District for the last four years, during which time much has been accomplished for the betterment of our community and for the State of Georgia. It is now time for me to focus more fully on my family and on my business.

I remain deeply grateful to my neighbors for allowing me the opportunity to serve them and especially appreciate the great sacrifices that my family has made during this time.

Given the immense talent and dedication of those in our community, I know that our area and our state will be well-served by my successor.

Sincerely,

Rep. Kevin Levitas

Georgia House District 82

Apparently all this “deliberation” couldn’t be done prior to qualifying deadlines. If the SOS qualifying information is correct, this announcement leaves no one running for this seat… not Republican or Democrat. I repeat, WTF?

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16 responses to “And then there were none…”

  1. MelGX Avatar
    MelGX

    Scott would be a good choice. Anyone know if he’s so inclined?

  2. TimC Avatar
    TimC

    he’s in 82 as well Jules

  3. Jules Avatar
    Jules

    Hey, does anyone remember what district Scott Holcomb lives in?

  4. TimC Avatar
    TimC

    hm, i wonder where Sally Harrell that held this seat late-90s is? I know she left to raise children, but that was 10 years ago.

  5. Jules Avatar
    Jules

    Greg-

    Thanks for tipping us to the Green Party.

    I was talking about this issue this morning with a bunch of Dems who couldn’t believe it when I told them. of course in politics, like life, truth is always stranger than fiction.

    We really need to remember these lessons- Senate seat vacated by Powell, same thing the guy didn’t live in the district and had to withdraw.

    Lighting can strike, illness, disgrace, family event.. it can all happen.

    Heck, if not for a major scandal in IL, Obama might not have been a Senator…

  6. Greggjocoy Avatar
    Greggjocoy

    I did a brief write-up of this story at Green Party Watch. I pointed out that this creates a golden opportunity for the Green Party to elect a state Representative. If several parties and several independents run it will make it possible for every voter to be visited by a candidate or supporter who is almost always a member of a smaller party or an independent. It’s an almost once-in-a-lifetime set of circumstances that gives alternative voices a shot at showing what they can do in a legislative body.

    One example of such a circumstance was a couple of years back when Richard Carroll ran for state House with the Green Party in Arkansas. The Democratic Party found that it’s only candidate after the filing period ended was a disgraced former legislator. Rather than run him, the Democratic Party opted to run no one, and Mr Carroll won because he was the only candidate on the ballot. Write-in campaigns were mounted, but being on the ballot is hard to fight off. Carroll changed registration to Democrat last year.

  7. J.M. Prince Avatar
    J.M. Prince

    “Been in this game one-hundred years, but I see new ways to lose ’em I never knew existed before.” Casey Stengel

    BTW, is there any possible way for someone to think of to try and do some of the signatures online, and later be fulfilled in person? That might help, who knows? JMP

  8. Chris Huttman Avatar
    Chris Huttman

    Grift, if the new Secretary follows the law like the old Secretary did, there will be a special qualifying period for Democrats.

    Check Peach Pundit.

  9. Jules Avatar
    Jules

    @grift… I’d walk the streets for you, but not in that icky hooker kind of way.

  10. griftdrift Avatar
    griftdrift

    1250

  11. page Avatar
    page

    that’s true, get the 39,000 signatures that you need, and you can qualify as an independent with no dem or republican challengers. That’s an interesting trick.

    And my question is…does this force a special election since Levitas technically holds that seat until the beginning of the next legislative session…?

  12. page Avatar
    page

    that’s true, get the 39,000 signatures that you need, and you can qualify as an independent with no dem or republican challengers. That’s an interesting trick.

    And my question is…does this force a special election since Levitas technically holds that seat until the beginning of the next legislative session…?

  13. Jules Avatar
    Jules

    My twitter feed is full of encouragement for one of our fellow bloggers to run, as an independent. No better year, no better guy.

    Would so LOVE that.

  14. Jules Avatar
    Jules

    IRE… um not exactly if I read the AJC right.

    Libertarians can still field a candidate and some can run as an independent w 1250 signatures.

  15. innerredneckexposed Avatar
    innerredneckexposed

    There were fears he would qualify as a Republican. I guess this is better.

    FWIW: I think Sonny gets to appoint someone now.

  16. Jules Avatar
    Jules

    I’ve lost count of all the FAIL this year.

    I know there were some who worked really hard to find folks to run, and I seriously applaud that effort-but I can’t help but think that their is a serious leadership problem when we can’t even count on seasoned elected officials to give the heads up to the caucus leadership.

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