Tumlin said he told Handel Wednesday he would endorse her for governor.
"I think she's the right person for the job right now," Tumlin said. "I like her philosophy of governance, but I think she'll make a good nuts and bolts governor too. I think she works well with people, and I think her administrative skills will do well especially now in these tough economic times, i.e., she'll get the most bang for the buck in education, transportation and water quality. She'll have to be real efficient to educate our children and build our roads, and I think that's what she brings."
Other locals who have endorsed Handel, according to her website, are state Rep. Sharon Cooper (R-east Cobb), county Chairman Tim Lee, commissioners Bob Ott and Helen Goreham and former commission chairman Bill Byrne.
Handel faces former Congressman Nathan Deal in the Aug. 10 runoff election. The GOP winner will face Democrat and former Gov. Roy Barnes in the General Election in November.
Tumlin's predecessor, former Mayor Bill Dunaway, has endorsed Deal. Other Deal supporters are state Reps. Judy Manning (R-Marietta), Ed Setzler (R-Acworth), Matt Dollar (R-east Cobb), Don Parsons (R-east Cobb) and District Attorney Pat Head.
State Rep. Earl Ehrhart (R-Powder Springs) is listed as a supporter of both Handel and Deal.
Earl Smith, chairman of the Cobb-Marietta Coliseum & Exhibit Hall Authority, is hosting a fundraiser for Deal at 7:30 a.m. today at the Cobb Galleria with the help of local attorney John Moore, former state Rep. Johnny Gresham and Childress Klein Properties partner Connie Engel.
Deal will also be joined by U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-Marietta) from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Saturday at Williamson Brothers Barbecue for the Cobb GOP Breakfast.
Handel, whose Marietta stop is part of a 12-city, three-day bus tour, will be introduced Friday by U.S. Rep. Tom Price (R-Roswell).
The event runs from 3:15 p.m. to 4 p.m.
A Handel campaign rally featuring Sarah Palin will be held from noon to 1 p.m. on Monday at the InterContinental Hotel in Buckhead.
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As someone who had no real knowledge of Karen Handel, I took it upon myself to find out what is she all about. Here is what I learned
1. She does not have a college degree, has not said where she went to night school like her bio says, how long did she go to night school for and what did she study. I am not saying that a college degree is needed to be governor of Georgia but the last one we have had without a college degree was Lester Maddox. The last governor of a major state without a college degree was Jessie Ventura. Also while a college degree is not required to be governor, but Governor of everyone of the other 49 states has at least a bachelors degree. Imagine, we would have a new governor that says she believes in education but not enough to get their own degree.
2. She has never been reelected to any office she has served in for she quits to run for a higher office before her term is over.
3. She has less elected experience that President Obama had when elected.
4. Our state is already know to have one of the lowest rated education systems in the U.S. and now we can top that off by being the only state is the U.S. with a governor that does not have a college degree or any legislative experience. We not talking about someone growing up in the depression but one who grew up in a time when anyone could get aid to go to college.
It is easy to say that a college degree is not neccesary to be a good governor but then how come the last two govenors without degrees were Georgia's own Lester Maddox and Minn. Jessie Ventura. Is this the reputation we want our state to be know for an illiterate governor
Handel is new blood that gets results and has proven that she can reform government. Government needs reform because of the old faces, like Deal and his endorsers, and the good-old-boy politics they play. Handel will remain true to her commitments instead of changing directions (and parties) when it is a comfortable thing to do.
And Barnes? Please be serious about this, people.
Do your own research. Look at records and affiliations...and vote early. The early voting polls are open. Take an umbrella, a magazine to read and fan yourself with, and some cold water. BUT GET OUT AND VOTE.
Bring it On