Governor: This is a no-brainer: Sonny Perdue. Anyone who votes for this guy deserves to be disenfranchised.*
Lt. Governor: This is the race I struggled with the most: Ralph Reed v. Casey Cagle. And while there’s a lot I could say about both candidates (pro and con), the bottom line is that I think Reed’s long service on behalf of the Republican Party, on both the state and national level, gives him the edge over Cagle. This is not to say that I don’t find Reed’s dealings with Jack Abramoff problematic. I do. And it’s possible that I will regret this vote down the road. But I just couldn’t bring myself to vote against one of my boyhood idols. Reed has done so much for the conservative cause, and as such I think he deserves the chance to govern and redeem himself.
Update: In the interest of equal time, Clint Austin of Peach Pundit makes an eloquent and compelling case against for voting for Reed here.
Secretary of State: Karen Handel (for all of the reasons noted here).
State School Superintendent: Kathy Cox (incumbent). I think she has Georgia heading in the right direction, and should be reelected for a second term.
Commissioner of Agriculture: Gary Black (for all of the reasons noted here).
House District 137: Stebin Horne. This is perhaps the most interesting race that I am monitoring. It’s a four-way tussle for the GOP nod, and the winner will easily coast to victory over the dem challenger in November. The other candidates–Becky Burgess, Allen Peake, and Dale Washburn–are all fine folks, but for me the bottom line is legislative experience and local party involvement, and Stebin is the only one who fits the bill on both fronts.
As an aside, I think it’s worth mentioning that this ad by Becky Burgess (where she touts her support of the rape and incest exceptions) was a huge tactical mistake, and one that may cost her a chance of getting into the run-off election. You don’t run to the center on abortion during a Republican primary, dear. To put it plainly, this ad calls into question your commitment to the pro-life cause; and in a Republican primary, that will cost you dearly (especially in a close race). I’ll be discussing the ad in greater detail tomorrow on WMAC 940 from 6:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. with my co-host Jami G (I am sitting in for Kenny B).
Macon City Council, Ward 5, Post 2: James Freeman.
*By way of full disclosure, I am the governor’s campaign chairman for Bibb County; so yes, I am extremely biased.