Republicans gain influence in Fulton government
A Fulton County Commission long the domain of Democrats is about to get an infusion of Republicans bent on remaking government in Georgias largest county.
With no Democratic opposition in the November general election, two new Republicans Bob Ellis of Milton and Lee Morris of Atlanta will join incumbent Republican Liz Hausmann of Johns Creek to give the party a bigger say in Fulton affairs than its had in years. Exactly how big a say remains to be seen.
Two other Republicans candidates face tough general election contests against veteran Democratic incumbents.
But even if Republicans dont gain a majority on the seven-member commission, theyre confident their vision of a smaller, more effective government will resonate with their Democratic colleagues at a time when Fulton is struggling to pay for popular services like libraries and senior programs.
I dont think anybody wants to waste tax dollars, Ellis said. If theres a way for us to become more efficient and effective, particularly in (administrative) areas, I see that as a win-win opportunity for everybody.
Democrats have controlled the Fulton Board of Commissioners for decades. For nearly 20 years beginning in the mid-70s, Tom Lowe of Atlanta was the commissions lone Republican. But the party picked up a second and third seat beginning in the mid-1990s. That era of growing Republican influence coincided with north Fulton residents rising discontent with county government discontent manifested in tax revolts and the formation of new cities.
But Fulton remains a Democratic stronghold President Barack Obama won 64 percent of the county vote in 2012. And many Democrats on the county commission have traditionally supported robust county services for the poor, the homeless, the sick and the elderly.
Since 2007, Hausmann and the-soon-to-retire Lowe have been the commissions only Republicans. Lowe, 85, has been slowed by health problems. Thats sometimes left Hausmann as the lone Republican voice advocating for smaller government.
That will change next year because of a Republican redistricting plan approved by the General Assembly. The plan eliminated one of two at-large commission seats in favor of a new north Fulton district. It also pitted two veteran Democrats Emma Darnell and Bill Edwards against each other in this years primary. Darnell won a narrow victory on Tuesday and is the heavy favorite over Republican Abraham Watson in November.
In the chairmans race, incumbent John Eaves leads fellow Democrat Robb Pitts by a few hundred votes, and Pitts has said he may request a recount after the election is certified Tuesday. The winner will face political newcomer Republican Earl Cooper in November.
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Republicans gain influence in Fulton government