Georgia businesses, GOP back Romney

By: Ryan Mahoney

Atlanta Business Chronicle

Monday, Aug 20, 2007

"With only a few months to go before the first presidential primaries, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is leading the pack as the candidate of choice for Georgia businesses and GOP leaders.

"Through the first half of 2007, Romney raised $756,661 in the Peach State, according to the Center for Responsive Politics in Washington, D.C., which tracks campaign finance data. That's more money than any other candidate, although U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., was just a few thousand dollars behind him.

"Some of the biggest names in Atlanta business are among Romney's donors, including Arthur Blank, owner of the Atlanta Falcons and co-founder of The Home Depot Inc. (NYSE: HD); Don Keough, former president of The Coca-Cola Co. (NYSE: KO); and Jeff Fuqua, president of developer The Sembler Co.

"Also behind him are GOP U.S. Reps. Phil Gingrey, John Linder and Tom Price; Georgia House Speaker Pro Tem Mark Burkhalter, R-Alpharetta; and Sam Olens, chairman of the Cobb County Commission and the Atlanta Regional Commission.

"'He's established himself as the conservative candidate who stands for a strong economy,' Burkhalter said. 'He's a turnaround artist. Everything he's ever taken on, from Massachusetts to the Salt Lake Olympics, he's turned around. We need that in Washington.'" ...

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