Jim Powell’s campaign for a seat on the Public Service Commission might be over if Secretary of State Karen Handel had not tried to keep him off the November ballot. It took from July until 5 days before the election for the Supreme Court to get the case and tell Handel, in an unanimous decision, that she was wrong. Think of all those early voters who may not have voted for Jim because his candidacy was in limbo. And what about the supporters who might have contributed to his campaign, if they had known they were not wasting their money on a “non-candidate?”
Such is the power of politics. Such is the abuse of political power. Anyway you cut it, Handel cannot defend her actions in drawing out this election. Was it partisan? Was it intended to help Powell’s opponent? Who knows? The regrettable truth is that her conduct raises these questions. The question for the future is whether or not this will come to haunt her should she decide to seek higher office (Governor) in 2010.
Even with the adversities caused by Handel, Powell still received 23,000 votes more (47.9% to 47.2%) than his opponent.
In this interview just a few days after the general election, all the votes had not yet been counted, but Jim explains the financial inequality that he had in the general election, whatever the cause.
If you check Jim’s campaign reports you will find that in the last report filed just days before the election, Jim had received contributions totaling $61,000.00, rounded. In the same reporting period, his opponent reported contributions of $146,000.00, rounded. That is the difference that can make a difference.
According to the financial disclosure filled with the State Ethics Commission, Powell’s opponent has a net worth of just over $1 million. Jim’s financial disclosure puts his net worth at about half that.
Jim did point out that Angela Speir won her seat on the PSC in 2002 on a tight campaign budget, spending less than $5,000.00 on the effort. Wow!!!
Jim Powell does not have time to wonder about what might have been. The race is not over until December 2nd.
VOTE!!!!!!!!!!! VOTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! VOTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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