Two big fights are brewing between potential heavyweights in each party, and one is already under way. Two GOPers who made our list are fighting it out for Secretary of State, widely seen as a stepping stone to higher office, and while only one will make it to the general, both are seen as having bright futures in the party. Somewhere down the road, though, Dems will clash over the seat of Rep. John Lewis (GA 05). In the end, the political plans of Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin (D) seems to be the key to any future domino effect.
The stars we've been watching since '03:
State Sen. Bill Stephens (R): Former House Maj Leader, he's now running for Sec/State, where he's involved in a "tough" primary. Some think he's got the GOP establishment behind him in the race, though.
State Rep. Clay Cox (R): After losing a bid in '02 to Rep. David Scott (D), Cox was elected to the State House in '04.
Calder Clay (R): Lost two consecutive bids to Rep. Jim Marshall (D). Not seen as a future political force.
State Rep. Sharon Cooper (R): The GOP caucus chair, "she's not going anywhere." "May have gone to the highest level she's going to go to."
State Sen. Preston Smith (R): Led a recent successful fight on tort reform. "He's not running for anything statewide. He's pretty happy where he is."
State Rep. Mable Thomas (D): Thomas' confrontational style seems to have arrested any star status she may have had. She's been called "the next Cynthia McKinney." "I don't know if she's rising, but she's still there." "She gets a lot of headlines."
State Sen. Sam Zamarripa (D): The go-to-guy in the state for Latino issues, "he can raise some good money for folks." "Could potentially do more things for his career."
GA Dem Exec. Dir. Jeff DiSantis: "The man is well connected, and he'll be the one who pulls all the strings for" Dems attempting to "climb into power." The son of Atlanta Mayor Franklin's chief counsel, and husband of LG Mark Taylor's CoS, Natalie.
And the stars to watch in the future:
House Speaker Glenn Richardson (R): After leading the GA House GOP to bigger gains than any other caucus in the country in '04, "you'll see him around for the next 5 or 10 years, probably running for higher office."
State Rep. Willie Talton (R): A law enforcement officer and one of two African American GOPers in the GA House, Talton was involved in a Voter ID bill and "set himself apart from his other colleagues." Ran unopposed for an open seat because he's so popular in the district. "That guy is just a rock star."
Fulton Co. Commission Chair Karen Handel (R): Running for Sec/State in '06. "If she wins or if she loses, she's got a lot of potential down the road."
State Sen. Doug Stoner (D): Beat a GOP incumbent in '04 in one of the few Dem pickups in the state. "He keeps that caucus together."
State Sen. Kasim Reed (D): Likely contender for Atlanta Mayor when Franklin leaves. "He's a bit of a star."
State Rep. Rob Teilhet (D): Married to Gov. Sonny Perdue's (R) press secretary. "This guy could be a Governor, this guy could be a Senator, this guy could be a Congressman." "He's young, he's impressive." Endorsed Edwards when people were going for Kerry, and has now endorsed LG Mark Taylor (D) for Gov. when the popular choice is Sec/State Cathy Cox (D).
State Sen. David Adelman (D): Sen. Min Leader and a high-profile white candidate who could run into Mayor Franklin in Rep. John Lewis' district. His blog has received attention from the DLCC as a model for other state legislatures. He's considered "one of the most influential members of the state legislature."
Keep an eye on Joe Wilkinson if Tom Price ever decides to run for higher office. Although it's early, Wilkinson is now identified more than anyone with creating the city of Sandy Springs, a growing new city created from unincorporated GOP-heavy areas of north Fulton County.
Well, your list is so flawed... You didn't catch Casey cagle. Sen. Jeff Chapman isn't on your list. He's the favorite to replace Kingston if Kingston ever heads for higher office.