(APN) ATLANTA – Denise Majette’s announcement yesterday that she is running for State School Superintendent has displeased many Democratic party leaders throughout Georgia, sources tell Atlanta Progressive News. Majette, a former Republican who has no education experience, will face Carlotta Harrell in the Democratic Primary.
Majette’s decision could disgust voters, causing problems for the entire Democratic ticket, some party leaders said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Party leaders see her announcement as politically calculated, say she has no positions on education, and say she has upset both Democrats and Republicans over the last few years, sources said.
However, the Democrats have another candidate for this position, Carlotta Harrell, who has been running for the position for over a year, campaigning at many small town venues.
Harrell, 45, with ten years' experience in the public school system, has garnered support from many Democrats, and has been traveling the entire state to speak with other educators and parents.
The Associated Press (AP) did not even mention Harrell in an article on Majette’s announcement; failing to mention grassroots candidates is a continuing irresponsible and sometimes misleading practice of that wire service.
"I am not dropping out of the race. Since Denise's announcement, I have been receiving phone calls and emails of support all across this state. The children of Georgia are my passion and I will always fight for them whether elected or not," Harrell said about Majette’s announcement. Harrell is a teacher in Stockbridge, an activist, and a former police officer.
If our children are our future, then State School Superintendent is a critical job. The Superintendent is the executive officer of both the State Board of Education and the State Department of Education (DOE). This position is responsible for personnel decisions, and enforcement of all the laws, rules, regulations, policies and standards pertaining to grades K through 12 in our public schools.
Denise Majette caused major drama behind the scenes by requesting a meeting with Harrell asking her to drop out last week, sources had shared with Atlanta Progressive News at the time. Majette had still not made up her mind and was looking at a number of seats, sources said.
Over the past several months, Majette has toyed with the ideas of running for US Congress, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Superintendent of Education, and two judgeships, sources told Atlanta Progressive News.
Democratic Party officials were trying to get Majette to run for either of two judgeships, sources said, saying she was more qualified to do so because of her legal background.
Denise Majette, the former Republican who unseated US Rep. Cynthia McKinney (D-GA) from 2002 to 2004, has numerous Republican ties and supported Alan Keyes in the 2000 Presidential Elections, court documents show.
Many Republican Majette supporters pulled their funding when she announced she was running for US Senate in 2004, sources told Atlanta Progressive News. Majette lost to Johnny Isakson, now a US Senator (R-GA). Those funders had spent their money on Majette to get McKinney out of office and would not support a US Senate run, sources said.
McKinney won her seat back in 2004, has continued to be a progressive maverick, and is up for reelection this year.
“The ONLY reason that Congresswoman McKinney lost the [2002] election was because of the Republican crossover vote which accounted for over 50% of the votes cast for Defendant Majette,” court documents said.
“Denise Majette regularly met with and sought counsel from Republican party operatives both before and during her candidacy... Denise Majette accepted campaign contributions from known Republicans and those known to encourage Republican crossover voting. Denise Majette maintains many Republican beliefs and positions,” according to court documents.
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