The body of the late congressman Charlie Norwood has not even cooled and the vultures in his own party have begun circling. Republican Ralph Hudgens has already announced that he will run to succeed Norwood. Other candidates, including two Democrats, have been mentioned as possible candidates, but are at least displaying more tact.
Congressman Charlie Norwood (R-GA) died on Tuesday at age 65. He had battled cancer and other serious health problems for the past few years. A dentist and social conservative, Norwood ousted a weak Democratic incumbent in the 1994 GOP wave. Since then, Norwood was a safe incumbent who won six fairly easy re-election contests. Potential successors are already lining up for the special election. State Senator Ralph Hudgens (R) -- who lost runs for Congress in 1988, 1992 and 1994 -- already announced he will run. Hudgens was the early frontrunner in the 1994 GOP primary, but Norwood defeated him in an upset. State Representative Barry Fleming (R) also is likely to run. State Representative Jeanette Jamieson (D) and former Athens-Clarke County Mayor Doc Eldridge (R) are also possible candidates, although CD-10 demographics favor the GOP. Don't look for Governor Sonny Perdue to announce any special election date until after Norwood's funeral.
Perhaps Hudgens holds such a strong grudge over 1994 that he considers this some kind of revenge. Anyway, while the district definately favors Republicans, Amy Walter suggests that it might winnable for Democrats.
"Bottom line: the political make-up of the district suggests a real uphill climb for Democrats. We also know that candidates and campaign matter - especially in this sprint of a special election. But, special elections are volatile and unpredictable. Remember, OH-02 and CA-50? Throw in a bleak political climate for the GOP, and things get even more difficult to predict."
I personaly believe that, after the appropriate amount of time has passed, Democrats SHOULD take a hard look at this district. While the DCCC is currently in debt and may take a pass on this one, there's no reason that the netroots cannot look for a good candidate and help push him or her over the top. Georgia has been turning rdder with every election and we need to find our ground to push back. Perhaps this is the place, right here, right now.