Who Runs To Replace Mike Collins?
A website I follow for candidate news is RRH Elections. They track electoral contests across the country, and it’s a pretty good source of info and rumors. However, some of their articles fall in the category of wild speculation.
Since we too love to engage in wild speculation, I’ll point you to this article about who might seek to replace 10th District Congressman Mike Collins. They begin by wondering if 9th District Congressman Andrew Clyde might want to run since he’s from and has a business in Athens. Hmm…
Other names floated out are:
From the more traditional Great Mentioner, Ex-Rep. Jody Hice (R), who gave up this seat to run a Trump-inspired unsuccessful primary run for SoS in 2022, could attempt a comeback. State Sens. Bill Cowsert (R) and Brian Strickland (R) both live here and are both running for Attorney General; one of them could drop down to this race. Other Senators who live in or near this district are State Sens. Frank Ginn (R) and Brian(sic) Williams(R). From the State House, there are roughly a dozen GOP State Reps. here; State Reps. Chuck Efstration (R) and Houston Gaines (R) are members of GOP leadership, while State Rep. Tim Fleming (R) is currently running for the SoS seat. From the prior candidates’ file, any number of candidates from the crowded 2022 primary could run again, including party-switching ex-DeKalb CE Vernon Jones (D=>R), ex-State Rep. Timothy Barr (R), ex-US Rep. Paul Broun (R), and ex-Henry County Tax Commissioner David Curry (R). Trump administration official and 2022 Insurance Commissioner candidate Patrick Witt (R) is also worth a mention.
The Brian Williams mentioned is either Representative Bruce Williamson or Senator Rick Williams.
I don’t see Bill Cowsert or Frank Ginn running since they’ve passed up previous opportunities to run for that seat. I’d also be shocked if Tim Fleming and Brian Strickland switched races nor do I think Chuck Efstration is likely to up his post as House Majority Leader to make a go of it. I also think Paul Broun, Rick Williams, and Bruce Williamson are unlikely to run.
That leaves Jody Hice, Houston Gaines, Vernon Jones, Timothy Barr, David Curry, and Patrick Witt. They all might give it a go. There will also likely be several others.
The most intriguing name floated out is Congressman Andrew Clyde. IIRC, he wasn’t fond of not having Athens in his district. Might he try to switch? Probably not, but I think the chances are greater than zero.
I’m hearing Houston Gaines is all but certain to run, and honestly, he’d be a very strong candidate.
