2014 is a major election year in Georgia as all the state Constitutional offices (Governor, Lt. Governor, State Superintendent etc.) and seats of the General Assembly will be on the ballot.  So far six people have filed the Declaration of Intention to Accept Campaign Contributions for Governor, and nine for State Superintendent (see below).  Some of these candidates are obviously more serious than others.  Also, please note this paperwork is part of the ethics requirements for candidates not the formal qualifying for office which will be done in the spring.

If public education is a priority for voters, it is important that they understand what the job is as it relates to education.  It is difficult to pick the right person for the job, if the job itself is unclear.  So we take this opportunity to talk about two of the offices.  

Governor

We sometimes focus so much on what the General Assembly did or did not do that we talk little about the role of the Governor.  And it is a big one. The Governor has more control over what education looks like and how it is funded than anyone else in the state.  The Governor sets the revenue estimate and that determines how much the state has to do its business.  Not that he just pulls a number out of the air -- we have a state economist and others who provide information.  

His office creates the budget that is submitted to the General Assembly.  Since the Governor has the right to veto line items in the budget, he also has leverage with members of the General Assembly as they work on the budget and other bills.  The Governor can veto any bill he chooses, so legislators need his support if they want to make any changes.  This is not to imply there is anything wrong with the process or an abuse of power.  Since the executive branch has to implement what the legislative branch does, there should be a working relationship with give-and-take between the two.  

The Governor also appoints most of the state education rule-makers:

• the Commissioner and Board of the Department of Early Care and Learning
• the State Board of Technical and Adult Education
• the Georgia Student Finance Board of Commissioners
• the Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Student Achievement
• the Professional Standards Commission
• the State Board of Education
• the Board of Regents

The Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education has a terrific chart and explanation for each of these entities. With one exception, the agency heads not appointed by the Governor are selected by the board he appoints.  The exception?  The State Superintendent of Schools is elected by the same voters that elect the Governor.

Here is the list of those who have filed the paperwork to raise funds to run for Governor.  Minister Jamison also filed paperwork in 2006 and 2010 but raised no funds.  Stephens has filed nothing since 2012, so we really have just the four candidates.

State Superintendent of Schools

With so many apparently desiring this office, one would think it's a powerful position.  If visiting schools, making speeches, running the Department of Education and serving as the Chief Executive Officer of the State Board equals power then it is.  The policy decisions and rules though are made by the Board which is appointed by the Governor.  By the way, making speeches really is part of the job description in state law.

This office does not appear to be a political stepping stone to higher office either as no state superintendent moving up comes to mind -- but Superintendent Barge clearly hopes to change that. It can certainly be an opportunity to talk about ideas, research, new ways to do things, what is and is not working.  It is just not the job that many think it is.  Here is the list of those who have filed for State Superintendent:

Kira Willis ran for this office in 2010 as a Libertarian.  Richard Woods also ran in 2010 and got 48% of the Republican votes in the primary.  Rep. Morgan did not list a party affiliation on the paperwork, but is a Democratic member of the House.

We hope this information will be helpful to you as you talk with those in your community about the upcoming elections, the importance of registering to vote, of learning about the candidates and the issues, and actually voting.