As of November 2002, the long minority party Georgia GOP had just won two upset victories for Governor and U.S. Senator. Incumbent Democrats Governor Roy Barnes and U.S. Senator Max Cleland both led in most every poll heading into the election by double digits. Down ticket wins narrowed majorities in the State House and State Senate for Democrats. The GOP would capture a majority in the State Senate in 2004.

After nearing 150 years in the minority (since Reconstruction) the Georgia Republican Party was building a broad coalition of Conservatives, Chamber of Commerce business owners and centrists, suburban women, Libertarians, Independents and simply voters seeking a change after a seemingly endless run of one-party rule. Democrats were stunned and caught flat-footed, and continued to lose

See Full Page