Powell to Handel: Stop Being Like Katherine Harris

Jim Powell says he first started hearing the rumors over the weekend. What was different about this rumor, as opposed to most political rumors, is that it was one hundred percent true. Jim Powell, largely considered by Democratic leaders as the front runner for the Public Service Commission District 4 Nomination, was kicked off the ballot. This is how Powell says he found out about it:

“I received an email Sunday night, July 13 from a Pickens county Election Board member telling me that he had received an email indicating that I had been disqualified as a candidate.”

Powell has been dogged by other rumors he moved into the district just to run for the seat. Eventually, those rumors made their way to court. However, an administrative judge ruled Powell is a legitimate resident of District 4. During a debate earlier this month, Powell declared “It’s no longer an issue.” His primary opponent, Robert Indech, concurred, saying “In my opinion it is a dead issue.”

Call it the issue from beyond.

Less than a week before the primary, the Secretary of State rose that "dead issue" from the grave and has seemingly buried Powell’s candidacy. Secretary Karen Handel ruled because Powell did not claim a homestead exemption for his house in Towns County, he does not live in the district.

Handel has the authority to determine whether a candidate is eligible, and can do so anytime before the election.

Powell says the whole thing looks like a “sham.” In a lengthy discussion with Georgia Public Broadcasting last night, he objected to the fact he was never personally notified. The Secretary of State’s office instead contacted his attorney, who is out of the country.

Powell also called Handel “the second coming of Katherine Harris,” in reference to the former Florida Secretary of State at the center of that state’s 2000 Presidential re-count.

Yet, Powell has never fully explained why he opted out of homesteading his Towns County home. Powell instead homesteaded his home in Cobb county, and also received mail delivered to that address. The Secretary of State’s office concluded his wife also lived there full time. In an earlier statement, Powell said his wife lived with him in Towns County.

Powell maintains his removal from the ballot is politically motivated. A spokesman for Handel’s office disputes that, saying the decision was made based on facts. State office spokesman Matt Carrothers told GPB “It’s disappointing [Powell] is resorting to personal name calling.” Carrothers also acknowledged his office did not contact the candidate directly.

For now, Powell’s name will stay on the ballot. A Fulton County Judge has stayed Handel’s decision.Yet, should Powell win the nomination as expected, he will have to once again prevail in court.

Powell acknowledges this puts him at a disadvantage against his likely Republican opponent, Lauren “Bubba” McDonald. And if he is ultimately booted from the ballot, Powell says he doesn’t know if he’ll steer his grassroots supporters towards Democrat Bob Indech.

“I have reservations” Powell said, before adding, “I just can’t say right now.”