From
the AJC: Waycross native and technology consultant Cliff Oxford is now being touted as a candidate for Zell Miller's Senate seat.
Back in 1996, a year after he launched the technology consulting firm that would make his fortune, businessman Cliff Oxford decided to take on U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich in the 6th District congressional race.
He was overshadowed that year by another self-made Democratic millionaire, cookie magnate Michael Coles. Now, some very influential Democrats are trying to coax Oxford into taking on another big challenge: the U.S. Senate race.
Former President Jimmy Carter has called Oxford, and so has U.S. Sen. Jon Corzine of New Jersey, the chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
And the word in Democratic circles is that Oxford is close to committing to the race.
Oxford provides a monied name at the top of the statewide ballot. He recently sold his consultancy, STI Knowledge, and had $5M to throw at Emory University to have the part-time MBA program named after him. His South Georgia roots could be an advantage in a significant part of the state if--if--Marietta Rep. Johnny Isakson wins the GOP nod, as he is favored to do.
What about the Kasten rumors?
[The Kasten rumor] should be taken less seriously, although the idea is interesting. . . . Yes, his name ID would be killer. But there's some doubt that the Hawks franchise would make good campaign material.