Mayoral race updates

Blake has some details on Charlie Maddox's second bid for Athens-Clarke County mayor, including a new campaign manager for 2010.

Assuming that Athens-Clarke County District Nine Commissioner Kelly Girtz gets into the race, which I feel like he's likely to do, then it would largely go down as Blake laid out. Girtz is supposed to make a decision in the fall regarding seeking the seat, but if he doesn't opt for it I wouldn't be stunned to see Spencer Frye, the executive director for Athens Area Habitat for Humanity, jump into to fill the young, progressive void.

Both Girtz and Frye have indicated they'd consider the mayoral seat if the situation was right, and, though this is pure speculation on my part, I'd assume that Girtz would have the first shot at the race based on his existing commission record and name recognition.

Of course, the town is overflowing with young progressives who would be good fits for the job and are liable to run, and there's always the possibility that Gwen O'Looney jumps into it as well ... which would make a truly interesting electoral battle with moderates, conservatives and liberals all being split into factions.