by Dave Williams | Capitol Beat News Service
ATLANTA – A federal judge Thursday dismissed a lawsuit Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr filed early this month challenging the legality of a law giving Lt. Gov. Burt Jones a leg up in the gubernatorial race between the two Republicans.
The suit claims legislation the GOP-controlled General Assembly passed in 2021 in the name of election reform gives Jones an unfair and unconstitutional advantage in next year’s Republican gubernatorial primary.
The law allows certain elected officials in Georgia – including the lieutenant governor – to form “leadership committees” that can raise unlimited amounts of money to finance campaigns. As attorney general, Carr does not have access to such a fundraising vehicle.
Thursday’s ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Victoria Marie Calvert held that Carr lacked legal standing to bring the case.
The Jones campaign reacted to the decision with a slap at Carr.
“If Chris is this bad at being a lawyer, why would anyone want to give him a promotion?” Jones campaign spokeswoman Kendyl Parker said.
Carr’s campaign responded by noting the ruling was technical in nature and did not deal with the merits of the attorney general’s case while hinting there may be an appeal.
“The court acknowledged that this statute gives Burt Jones an unfair and harmful advantage – the same conclusion other federal judges have reached when examining it,” Carr campaign spokeswoman Julia Mazzone said. “We are reviewing all legal options to right this wrong.”
Jones and Carr are vying for the Republican nomination to succeed term-limited GOP Gov. Brian Kemp. The primary will take place next May.
