Georgia’s Secretary of State, Karen Handel (R), announced her intention of running for governor last night. Two other republicans, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and state Insurance Director John Oxendine, have already filed the necessary paperwork. Handel will file soon, but is prohibited by law from raising money during the 40-day legislative session that starts today. Handel was elected to her current post in 2006, defeating 4 others in the Republican primary. Handel was the first Republican Secretary of State in Georgia. In the past she was Deputy Chief of Staff for George H. W. Bush, Deputy Chief of Staff for Governor Sunny Perdue, and served as the Chairman of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners. As Secretary of State she oversees elections, corporations, securities, professional licensing boards, and also controls the state archives and Capitol museum.
