Stirrin' the Pot at the Augusta Chronicle

Swanky Hotels? 5 Star Restaurants? Shrimp Cocktails with John Oxendine?


Republican Ralph Hudgens is living large.


Most candidates for Commissioner of Insurance would keep that kind of stuff on the QT, but hell, with a 15 point lead over his nearest competition, why wait to start livin' the LaVida Loca?


There's a neat little article running over at the Augusta Chronicle about the state of the race by Walter Jones detailing democrat Mary Squires reactions to some Ralph's recent endorsements and traveling companions. Sadly, Mr Jones neglected to mention it's a three way race, but Augusta's own Taylor Bryant took care of that and I piled on as well. The readership is encouraged to follow suit.


Here's the post:

Greetings All,

Kudos to you Taylor B for dropping my name.

The mental imagery of John Oxendine and Ralph Hudgens sipping whiskey on the porch in Macon swapping tales of derring do about shaking down insurance lobbyists and agents and brokers for campaign contributions warms the cockles of my Libertarian heart. The corrupt old guard republican ushering in the corrupt new guard republican and securing a tasty consulting gig in the process restores my faith in our cause. Against men such as these, Liberty will win out.

Aside from all the distasteful stuff that Mr. Jones cites in his article, republican Ralph Hudgens is poised to win the Insurance Commissioner's race clean. With Mary Squires polling at 37% and my humble efforts yielding 4%, there is no reasonable expectation that his campaign will run off the rails. Unless he does it himself. I intend to try to help him achieve self immolation this Sunday night at the Atlanta Press Club debate by posing an incendiary question to see if some sparks can be generated. Perhaps chairs will be thrown. I understand that Ralph has a bit of a temper.

Just for record, I intend to wear my iconic Hawaiian shirt to the festivities enough though many of my contemporaries think it a bad idea. During my travels throughout Georgia in pursuit of this campaign, I have been told many times that the shirt is a happy shirt. I agree. It speaks to a time when our nation was more relaxed, under less government duress and people actually had the money to go on vacation. Unlike modern times.

There is still prodigious work to be done for Liberty. I will continue my efforts until the fat lady sings on November 2nd and we see what the voters of Georgia decree. If they insist on selecting republican Ralph Hudgens over Libertarian Shane Bruce, if they insist on another 4 years of Oxendine Incarnate, they will get what they wished for. Hopefully they'll find solace in the fact that at least it's not democrat Mary Squires raising their insurance rates, licensing additional hordes of pay day loan operators or contaminating the Commissioners Suite at Road Atlanta.

I remain optimistic about this race. It is an American trait to root for the underdog, it's embedded in our collective psyche because every man and every woman identifies with David vs. Goliath. Can a first time part time Libertarian citizen politician achieve victory against a well funded, well connected, hand picked candidate from Georgia's Industrial Insurance Complex?

We will see.

Shane Bruce
Libertarian Candidate for Commissioner of Insurance