U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston, R-Ga., has a tough road ahead of him, make no mistake about it. Getting elected to any statewide office requires everything an individual has to offer, plus some. Just ask those who have committed to running on the ballot in Georgia’s 159 counties.
It can be even harder for candidates from the coast, as history has shown time and again. They must try extra hard.
Nevertheless, Rep. Kingston says he will enter the race for the U.S. Senate seat that will be vacated at the end of 2014 by Sen. Saxby Chambliss, another Republican. The congressman from Savannah made the announcement Thursday here and elsewhere in the district.
He would be a perfect replacement and for a number of reasons. To begin with, there is his familiarity with the different regions of the state, having served in the Georgia General Assembly before his election to Congress two decades ago. That’s important, especially since he would speak for the entire state. Often politicians are elected to statewide offices with little knowledge of counties, concerns or people outside one or two areas.
First and foremost, though, is Rep. Kingston’s brand of politics, which tends to be grounded in common sense and individuality. He voted against the federal bailout when everyone else in Congress, panicking, rallied behind major supporters of it, like President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama.
On budget cuts, where most in Congress seem to be content on letting the magic knife of sequestration do the ugly job of cutting spending for them, Rep. Kingston favors going in first and separating the necessary from the unnecessary. American individuals and families are working long, hard hours to cover national expenses that are not needed.
Who he will be up against in the Republican primary remains to be seen. Some have already openly expressed an intent to vie for the office. They include Reps. Paul Broun of Athens and Phil Gingrey of Marietta, both of whom started campaigning for the Republican nomination months ago.
Others are said to be considering it, including former Secretary of State Karen Handel.
Whatever the slate of candidates, we wish Rep. Kingston the best of luck in what promises to be a lively campaign.