Politics: Thomas not "going with the flow" in Barrow challenge

Savannah State Senator Regina Thomas has thrown local Democrats for a loop. The outspoken Senator is trading in the Gold Dome to run for Congress. Her primary opponent is an incumbent Democrat in a highly competitive district. Her campaign threatens to divide Democrats in a district that routinely sees squeaker outcomes in November.

Thomas is known for her frank, independent style and her hats. She was wearing a bright, orange colored hat with a blue blazer when GPB interviewed her for this story . But it's not her hats causing a stir in Savannah politics these days. It's her decision to run against U.S. Congressman John Barrow in the July primary.

"There have been so many people who've said, 'We don't have a choice. This person wasn't my choice, but there was nobody else there. And I didn't go to vote at all because there wasn't a choice,'" Thomas says. "So now the people have a choice."

For some local Democrats, that choice leaves a sour taste in the mouth. Barrow's district, the sprawling 12th, has been a tough one for Democrats to hold. It's one of the few competitive Congressional districts in the nation. And Karen Arms, the chairman of the Chatham County Democratic Party, says that's why she wishes Thomas were running somewhere else.

"Probably not particularly good, would be my feeling," Arms says. "It's just a waste of a good Democrat because they're both excellent Democratic candidates. It seems a waste to have them going against each other instead of going against a Republican."

Thomas could give Barrow a tough run. The 12th district is about 40% African-American, but the primary could be up to 60% African-American. University of Georgia political science professor Charles Bullock says, Thomas, a member of the state legislative black caucus, will be counting on that support in her race against Barrow, who is white. Bullock says, the challenge could hurt Barrow in November.

"At minimum, he's going to have to spend considerable resources, both money and his time campaigning," Bullock says. "You know often, in the course of primaries, things come out that might then be used by the opposing party come November."

For the moment, Republicans seem to be focused more on their own campaigns to gloat about dueling Democrats. At least three have announced bids. Savannah political consultant Dave Simons say, while Thomas is a strong candidate, she doesn't have the financial resources or name recognition outside of Savannah as John Barrow.

"The good news for John is that he's got $1.3 million cash on hand," Simons says. "He's got the 'I' behind his name for 'Incumbent.' And he's already got a district-wide network established."

And that could be bad news for Democrats if Thomas wins the primary. Democrats held the seat two years ago by just under 9-hundred votes.

"I think Democrats are putting that out, I really do," Thomas responds. "I think the Democrats are saying, 'That's exactly what the Republicans want. They want her to come out, beat him in the primary so they can beat her in November. That's not going to happen. I'm in it to win it."

Thomas remains as frank and independent as ever, in this battle, as in fights of the past. She bucked Democratic leaders over natural gas deregulation and redistricting five years ago. And she seems intent on doing it again in this race, although she insists her run isn't about Barrow.

"So many politicians go around. They have their money. They have their big backers and their big supporters and everybody wants to go with the flow," Thomas says. "Well then there comes a Regina Thomas, who says, 'I'm not just going along to get along.'"

For his part, Congressman Barrow says, he's going to keep on doing what he's always been doing. A statement says, the Congressman is currently focused on health care, the price of gasoline and student loans.