Politics

Former Georgia secretary of state Karen Handel announced today she's running for the U.S. Senate in 2014.

She’s vying for the seat now held by Saxby Chambliss, who has said he won’t seek reelection.

In a written statement, Handel said she’s running so “the next young person who ends up on his or her own at 17 will have the opportunity to prosper and achieve.” She added Washington needed “big changes.”

Handel, who nearly won the GOP nomination for Governor in 2010, joins a field that includes Congressmen Paul Broun, Jack Kingston, and Phil Gingrey

A federal grand jury has indicted Georgia state representative Tyrone Brooks, Sr. on charges he misappropriated nearly one million dollars in charitable funds from a charity he founded. 

It is alleged that Rep. Brooks solicited donations for issues such as combating illiteracy and to fund other charitable causes.

However, the indictment claims money never went to any charities.

Rep. Tom Price announced today that he will not run to fill the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Saxby Chambliss.  Price, the Republican congressman representing the sixth district, said in a statement (PDF) that “at this point my focus must be on the urgent policy issues and the privilege I have been given of being in a position to effect positive change.”

Speaking before the Atlanta Press Club in downtown Atlanta, Governor Nathan Deal discussed some of the major accomplishments of the past legislative session, including a bill aimed at reducing the influence of special interests at the Capitol.

Deal admitted the ethics bill is flawed, but said it represents progress.

“Even though that [the ethics bill] does not do everything that everybody wants, I think it is a significant step in the right direction.”