By J. Randolph Evans – As Georgians consider their new governor, here are a few thoughts on the current governor. No governor in Georgia history has changed Georgia’s landscape more than its 81st governor – Governor Sonny Perdue (and Georgia has been the home to some rather flamboyant and colorful governors).
For most folks, it is difficult to imagine the Georgia that existed before Governor Perdue. To fully appreciate it, rewind back twelve years.
In 1998, two significant events happened. Democratic President Pro Tempore Senator Sonny Perdue joined the Republican Party and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Roy Barnes was elected as Georgia’s 80th governor. For the next three years, everything pointed toward another Democratic dynasty. Democrats controlled both the Georgia Senate and House of Representatives by overwhelming margins. Incumbent Governor Roy Barnes had both history (with Georgia having consecutively reelected George Busbee, Joe Frank Harris, and Zell Miller to second four year terms) and resources (over $20 million in his political war chest together with dominant political control) on his side.
Today, it is difficult to imagine Sonny Perdue as David and Governor Roy Barnes and the Democratic Party of Georgia as Goliath. But, David he was, and in 2002, Sonny Perdue received over one million votes and won the General Election. His election so dominated the political landscape that few Georgians even remember who he defeated to get the Republican nomination (School Superintendent Linda Schrenko and Cobb Commission Chairman Bill Byrne), winning the GOP primary without a runoff.
His monumental impact was just beginning.
Within two years, Governor Sonny Perdue led Republicans to control of both the Georgia Senate and the Georgia House of Representatives. At the end of his first term, he cruised to reelection over Lieutenant Governor Mark Taylor with almost 58% of the vote. Love him or hate him (and there are some of both), no one can seriously question Sonny Perdue’s political domination in Georgia.
Yet, as governor, Sonny Perdue has changed more than the political landscape; he has changed Georgia. There are things that are easily measurable – eight consecutive balanced budgets; expansion of state lands to protect the environment; comprehensive transportation legislation; and financial stability for Georgia businesses. These are the building blocks for the future.
There are those who say he did nothing bold, but they forget some pretty big things. For example, in 2005, with the help of a Republican legislature, Governor Perdue led the effort to adopt the most significant reform of the Georgia judicial system in history. On February 17, 2005, Governor Perdue signed into law Senate Bill 3, denominated as “tort reform.” It signaled to health professionals and small businesses that Georgia was indeed a place to stay. But, signing the legislation was just the first part.
When Sonny Perdue started his eight year term, the Georgia Supreme Court had developed a noticeable anti-business tilt with the help of a four justice block on the court. Two of those justices have retired and Perdue appointees have replaced them. (Justices Fletcher and Sears have been replaced by Perdue appointees Justices Harold Melton and David Nahmias.) They join the dozens of judges, commissioners, and state board members appointed by Governor Perdue over the course of eight years.
Consistently, under Governor Perdue’s leadership, Georgia has been ranked as among the very best in the country for management of state government. As states around the country face potential bankruptcy from huge deficits, Georgia has maintained its AA bond rating. And, it was all done without fanfare.
Of course, there were moments. The occasional political fireworks when the Georgia Legislature was in session were notable. And, the budget cuts required by the economic crisis were painful, leading to some uncomfortable moments between the Executive Branch and the Judiciary Branch. But, tough decisions are what make a good governor. Governor Sonny Perdue will be remembered for what didn’t happen on his watch, as opposed to what did happen. There wasn’t an unannounced trip to Argentina (South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford); there wasn’t an impeachment for selling a U. S. Senate Seat (Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich); there wasn’t a resignation for frequenting prostitutes (New York Governor Elliott Spitzer); there wasn’t a spiraling deficit, and there were’t IOUs to state creditors or budget impasses shutting down the government (California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and others).
There were challenges – including a drought, flooding, and an economic recession that rivals the 1930s. Through it all, Sonny Perdue offered a steady hand in troubled times. The full impact of his leadership will not be known for years. But, if you ask him his most memorable contribution to Georgia, he would undoubtedly say Georgia’s First Lady – Mary Perdue.