From AccessNorthGeorgia.com:

ATLANTA – Georgia’s insurance commissioner said Wednesday that he’s running for governor [link added] in 2010, making him the first to enter what could be a crowded field of Republicans jockeying to replace Sonny Perdue. 

John Oxendine said gridlock in the recent legislative session helped convince him to get into the race. Bickering between House Speaker Glenn Richardson and Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle doomed plans for a promised tax cut. 

Oxendine said he was also frustrated that the Legislature failed to approve a plan to fund transportation improvements and to create a steady stream of funding for the state’s trauma network.

Mr. Oxendine is also a very big FairTax supporter; peachpundit reports that he could be a “formidable” candidate:

Oxendine will be a formidable candidate. He received more votes than any other candidate in 2006, 2002, and second only to Tommy Irvin in 1998.

Below is the latest presser from his campaign…

-Phil

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:   FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:  December 19, 2008     Kathryn Ballou, (404) 558-4905  Oxendine Announces First Round of Campaign Leadership Team   Commissioner John Oxendine is honored to announce the first round of leaders for Team Oxendine – Governor 2010.   “It is humbling to have such a great team of Georgia leaders supporting my campaign to transform Georgia government. We have set the foundation for a true statewide campaign. I want to be the Governor for all of Georgia.   Consider where Georgia is after this past Legislative Session: At the end of the Session, Georgians still have no tax cuts, are still stuckin traffic, still have no new economic development projects, and still trailother states on school test scores.  My message to Georgia taxpayers: Helpis on the way and change is coming.”    Please welcome the first of multiple announcements of Team Oxendine:     Finance Committee Chairman:  Dan Amos – Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Aflac Incorporated   Senior Policy Advisor:   Bill Byrne -  Former Chairman Cobb County Board of Commissioners and former Republican candidate for Governor  Campaign State Co-Chairs: Representative Amos Amerson  9th District  Dawson (pt.), Forsyth (pt.), Lumpkin (pt.)  Representative Rich Golick 34th District Cobb (pt.)   Representative Brooks Coleman, Jr. 97th District Gwinnett (pt.)   Representative Clay Cox 102nd District Gwinnett (pt.)   Charles Bannister – Chairman Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners   Al St. Lawrence – Sheriff Chatham County  Pat Vaughn – Mayor, City of Powder Springs  Mike Bilderback – Member Monroe County Board of County Commissioners  David Breedlove – School Board Member-elect Walton County Board of Education    U.D. Roberts – Chairman of faith based groups for Governor Mike Huckabee in Georgia and President and CEO of Brentwood Christian Press of Columbus   Donna Rowe – Leader in Georgia Federation of Republican Women, Georgia Vietnam Veterans community and Georgia Realtors community of east Cobb County   Marvin Myers -Leader in Georgia veterans community of Atlanta   Nolen Cox  – Past Georgia State Director of the American Family Association and President Crown Chemicals of Valdosta   Emma Hinesley – Past state chair Georgia Federation of Republican Women and past Secretary of the Georgia Republican Party of Newnan   Debbie Groninger – McCain for President Fayette Chair, Chair of New Generation of Republican Women of Fayetville  Dr. James Story, Jr. – Retired general surgeon and hospital administrator of Thomasville   Yvonne White – Past Second Vice Chair Georgia Republican Party, Past Chair Troup Republican Women’s Federation, Past Chair of Troup Republican Party of LaGrange   Nancy Hollingshed  – 11th District Chair Mike Huckabee for President of Dallas   Melinda Mock – Past Chair 6th Congressional District Georgia Republican Party of Canton   Kathryn Gartland – Gwinnett Republican Party leader   Michael Opitz  – Chairman The Madison Forum of Marietta Mike Powell –  American Legion Riders accredited representative Veterans Counselor of Cartersville

John Oxendine Oxendine Working for Georgia