Blog Topic: Raging Election

In the Loop: Obamacare Obstructor Ralph Hudgens Has a Democratic Challenger

By Blake Aued | December 10, 2013 12:48pm

Ralph Hudgens, the Republican state insurance commissioner who says he's doing everything in his power to obstruct Obamacare, has picked up a Democratic opponent.

Elizabeth "Liz" Johnson, a self-described 40-year veteran of the insurance industry from Statesboro, is running for Hudgens' post regulating insurance in Georgia, including implementing the Affordable Care Act.

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In the Loop: Watch Congressional Candidate Mike Collins Impersonate Jean Claude Van Damme

By | December 6, 2013 1:25pm

Congressional candidate, trucking company owner and Alabama fan Mike Collins is a hard target.

Sure, the other street fighters in the bloodsport we call the 10th District Republican primary hope he's expendable, but Collins is on a quest and is willing to take maximum risk until death. His campaign won't be derailed. No retreat, no surrender. He's a lionhart. A universal soldier. The other candidates have nowhere to run. That's why Collins is sort of doing the splits between two moving trucks in this parody of a Jean Claude Van Damme Volvo commercial.

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In the Loop: Jason Carter: HOPE Changes Are a 'Catastrophe'

By Blake Aued | December 1, 2013 4:36pm

A stunning 200 people came to a last-minute campaign stop at Hendershot's this afternoon to meet state Sen. Jason Carter, the likely Democratic nominee for governor.

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In the Loop: Hey! Another Commission Candidate: Dave Hudgins (UPDATED)

By Blake Aued | November 27, 2013 12:25pm

Photo via Facebook.

Dave Hudgins, who lost in a runoff to Commissioner Jared Bailey in 2010, is taking another crack at it, he said on Facebook yesterday.

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In the Loop: So Is Rachel Watkins (Running for Commission, That Is)

By Blake Aued | November 26, 2013 11:08am

photo via Facebook.

Now we have three, count 'em, three candidates running for Athens-Clarke County Commission in District 3. Rachel Watkins is joining Herb Gilmore and Melissa Link in the race to replace retiring Commissioner George Maxwell.

Watkins lives in Boulevard and works in marketing at Avid Bookshop and the Athens Convention and Visitors Bureau. She sent out this mass email yesterday:

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In the Loop: Melissa Link Is Also Running for Commission

By Blake Aued | November 25, 2013 2:42pm

Neighborhood activist (and sometimes Flagpole contributor) Melissa Link is also running to replace retiring Commissioner George Maxwell in District 3.

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In the Loop: Herb Gilmore Is Running for Commission

By Blake Aued | November 25, 2013 12:51pm

Former Athens-Clarke County planning commissioner Herb Gilmore is running for county commission on a platform of comprehensive planning and helping small businesses, he announced today.

An Old West Broad Street resident, Gilmore is running for George Maxwell's District 3 seat. (Maxwell is not running for re-election.) The district includes the Hancock Corridor, Rocksprings, Cobbham, Boulevard and Normaltown neighborhoods in central Athens.

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In the Loop: 10th District Congressional Candidate Mike Collins Is an Alabama Fan

By Blake Aued | November 18, 2013 2:42pm

Mike Collins, one of a jillion Republicans running for the Republican nomination for the 10th District seat Rep. Paul Broun (R-Athens) is leaving to run for Senate, has a dirty secret that could kill his chances.

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In the Loop: Ryan Berry's Running for Mayor to Stop Homogenized Development

By Blake Aued | November 10, 2013 3:08pm

Ryan Berry, owner of Aces and Eights tattoo parlor, announced last week that he is challenging Mayor Nancy Denson. Over the weekend, he sent Flagpole a statement on why he is running:

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