There are similarities between Morgan, who was elected to the House in 2002 as Cobb’s first black representative, and Gray, who served 16 years on the Cobb Board of Education until she was defeated by Morgan’s husband, David. Both oppose adding or converting Interstate lanes to toll lanes. And both favor light rail for Cobb, as well as linking Cobb’s light rail lines with MARTA trains.
There are also differences between the two. Regarding lobbyist gifts to legislators, Gray, 77, said, “no gifts would be my choice.”
Morgan, 31, said she does not favor more restrictions.
“While I support efforts to hold our elected officials in the legislature to a more stringent ethical standard, I have utilized donations from lobbyists in the past to fund events and initiatives to benefit my constituency. My youth leadership program, ‘Saturdays with My State Rep,’ for instance, just graduated its third class this past spring, and since its inception has been financed with lobbyist support,” Morgan said.
Gray would support a state law outlawing furlough days for teachers. Morgan says such a measure is premature.
Gray said she is opposed to ending the school property-tax exemption that Cobb seniors older than age 62 can enjoy. Morgan said that although she likes the exemption, it and others need to be reviewed since the state is giving too many exemptions as it is.
Dr. Kerwin Swint, an elections specialist at Kennesaw State University, said, “It would seem Ms. Gray has an uphill battle.”
“Ms. Morgan is the incumbent and is very well-known in the district,” Swint said. “Gray has a distinguished record of public service, but in this case, it may not translate well to the legislative arena.”
Besides Morgan’s incumbency and visibility, Swint said Gray’s education record may not translate well into the legislative race because of “the generally poor public image of the Cobb school board over the last several years, which was one of the reasons she lost her seat.”
Moreover, Swint said, “One also cannot ignore the fact that the district has one of the highest percentages of minority voters in the county, which should benefit the incumbent.”
Morgan also has more cash at her disposal. Her June 30 campaign finance report shows she took in more than $16,000 this quarter, and has $13,000 in cash on hand.
By contrast, Gray has taken in less than $3,000 — and $1,422 of that was a loan she made to her campaign. Gray has $1,821 in cash on hand.
Gray is offering citizens her experience as a lifelong educator, from teaching former Gov. Roy Barnes at South Cobb High School to managing a billion dollar budget as a member of the school board. Gray is also offering her commitment to the job. In her 16 years on the school board, she missed only two meetings — one in 1993 when she traveled to Washington with South Cobb High as it was recognized as a School of Excellence, and once when she had her knee replaced. That’s quite a different record from her successor on the board, David Morgan, Rep. Morgan’s husband, who has angered some parents for frequently missing meetings since taking office in January 2009.
“If the General Assembly is in session and I’m supposed to be there, I will be there. If there is a committee meeting and I’m supposed to be there, I’ll be there,” Gray said.
Gray is focused on education. There’s always been a gap in understanding between the legislature and classroom, and Gray said she hopes to bridge that if elected.
And don’t let her age lull anyone into thinking she’s not up for the job, said Gray, who enjoys race walking with her Scottish terrier, Gabbi. She said she’s “committed with energy, good health and know-how represent my community.”
Rep. Morgan is a big believer in grass-roots activism, conducting regular town hall meetings since being elected to office. Among the accomplishments she is proud of is creating community programs that engage constituents and students. Each year, she sets aside a day to bring residents to the Gold Dome for hands-on experience in the legislative process. Last year, Morgan succeeded in getting a bill signed into law that will allow students to transfer from one school to another within a school district, provided there is room.
“I’m running for re-election because I have the energy, passion and proven track record of service to the residents of the 39th District, and I’d like to continue my work to improve Georgia’s education system,” Morgan said.
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would be to have the electorate vote based on
her hubby's performance on the school board.
It's been very puny. He's her only major
liability.