THE LATEST The AJC has some interesting chatter on the Graves’ announcement aftermath. Speculation that Tom Graves might run for the U.S. Senate seat Johnny Isakson leaves Dec. 31; Kelly Loeffler takes office Jan. 1 but will have to run in November for the final two years of Isakson’s term. Who might run for the… Read more
Cartersville native Robert Benham is retiring from the Georgia Supreme Court as of March 1. That means Gov. Brian Kemp will appoint a replacement before Benham’s term ends on Dec. 31, 2020. Benham, age 73, has served on the court for nearly half his life. Media release: Justice Robert Benham announced today that he will… Read more
Kemp names Georgia’s next U.S. senator: Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp make if official Wednesday morning, naming Kelly Loeffler to the U.S. Senate seat Johnny Isakson will leave on Dec. 31. You can watch the announcement in the above Facebook Live video. Kemp’s statement: “From the farm to the New York Stock Exchange, Kelly Loeffler has lived… Read more
U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., delivered his farewell address on the floor of the U.S. Senate on Tuesday. Georgia’s senior U.S. senator kept mostly to one topic during his final major address to colleagues – and the country. He repeatedly stressed the need for bipartisanship and for getting things done. Isakson said party, race or… Read more
Kemp to name Georgia’s next U.S. senator on Wednesday: Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has scheduled a 10 a.m. Wednesday briefing to fill the U.S. Senate seat to be vacated by U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson on Dec. 31. Isakson is retiring because of mounting health issues. Kemp is expected to appoint Kelly Loeffler to the… Read more
The AJC is reporting Gov. Brian Kemp is expected to pick Atlanta businesswoman Kelly Loeffler as Georgia’s next U.S. senator. The formal announcement is expected next week. The appointment of a replacement for retiring U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., is going to be Gov. Brian Kemp’s toughest call in his first year in office… Read more
Rome’s Vincent Olsziewski responding to question about new voting machines in this Facebook Live post from Rome City Commissioner Wendy Davis. Olsziewski is a national leader in the disability rights community and chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia’s Disability Caucus. He has been a leading voice advocating for the new voting system to preserve the dignity of secret… Read more
Two Rome residents have seats at Wednesday’s Democratic presidential debate from Tyler Perry Studios. Vinny Olsziewski, who has managed local campaigns for years in our area, also is a national leader in the disability rights community and chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia’s Disability Caucus. He has been a leading voice advocating for the new voting… Read more
Media release: Georgia’s new paper-ballot system gets high marks for accuracy in risk-limiting audits of last week’s election conducted Tuesday by the Secretary of State’s Office, Bartow County election workers and two nationally recognized organizations. “An important part of the new voting system is the ability to audit with the use of paper ballots. This… Read more
Watch it live on your computer: “On Wednesday, Nov. 13, at 10 a.m., the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence will hold an open hearing with the Honorable Ambassador William B. Taylor, Chargé d’Affaires Ad Interim, Kyiv, Ukraine and Mr. George Kent, Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs. This is the first… Read more
There’s a different feel coming to the Rome City Commission in January. Three new faces — Bonny Askew, a former commissioner, and newcomers Jim Bojo and Mark Cochran will join the nine-member board following their wins in Tuesday’s election. Cochran finished second in the Ward One vote and Bojo third, defeating incumbents Bill Irmscher… Read more
BARTOW COUNTY: Results from the elections office (click) In Cartersville: Matt Santini won a new term as mayor, defeating two challengers. Santinia, 1238; Butler, 248; and Jackson, 57. The Brunch Bill also passed, 1095 to 447. Turnout: 11.3%. Said Santini in a later post: “I’m rarely at a loss for words but I am this evening.… Read more
ELECTION DAY, today, precincts open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. What to know: Floyd County Elections Supervisor Robert Brady says “the equipment is in all in place” for today’s vote at six precincts (five locations in all). As of Monday afternoon, there was no change in the number of ballots received by mail — 37 of… Read more
ELECTION DAY, Tuesday, Nov. 5. Precincts open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. In context: It would have been tough to script more drama than there really is in the 2019 Rome city elections. A string of headline-making decisions by city commissioners. Two disqualified candidates. Forgoing the usual advance voting locations for one that’s not exactly public transportation… Read more
ELECTION DAY, Tuesday, Nov. 5. Precints open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Election Day forecast: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67. Predicted voter turnout: Floyd Elections Supervisior Robert Brady: “I am not sure if it will follow typical patterns or not since this is my first election as supervisor in Rome and Floyd County. I would like… Read more
Weekend advance voting sees 240 ballots cast at the Rome Civic Center. Maybe that brunch bunch is on to something. Between 1 and 5 p.m Sunday, 113 people voted in advance at the Rome City Center. That’s on top of 127 people at the Civic Center on Saturday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.… Read more
Weekend advance see 240 ballots cast at the Rome Civic Center. Maybe that brunch bunch is on to something. Between 1 and 5 p.m Sunday, 113 people voted in advance at the Rome City Center. That’s on top of 127 people at the Civic Center on Saturday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.… Read more