Sonny Perdue on Principles & Values

Republican GA Governor

2001: Won election on central issue of Confederate flag

In Jan. 2001, Gov. Barnes introduced a new flag. The Confederate symbol was reduced in size and incorporated into a new design featuring other emblems of the State's history. Barnes saw the Confederate flag as a barrier to Georgia's future prosperity.

The new flag was adopted. Barnes' opponent, State Legislator Sonny Perdue, made the flag a central issue. Confederate flag supporters began disrupting every Barnes campaign appearance. On Election Day, Sonny Perdue became Georgia's first Republican Governor since 1871.

There is little doubt that the flag was the crucial issue in Barnes' defeat, According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Barnes' support in Atlanta and other metropolitan areas increased or remained steady, but his support among rural white voters dropped 25 points. Even the "flaggers" weren't satisfied with Barnes' defeat, but continued to heckle him up until his last day in office, shouting epithets as he left the Governor's mansion for the drive to his new home.

Source: Profiles in Courage, by Caroline Kennedy, p.356-358 , Oct 1, 2001

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