GEORGIA: GOP Foils CU Plan

ATLANTA - (11/06/02) -- The state Republican Party machinethat launched former House Speaker Newt Gingrich to nationalprominence helped frustrate credit union political strategy Tuesdayto retain control of the state's congressional delegation. In twoof the biggest upsets in the country, high Republican turnouthelped boost Rep. Saxby Chambliss over Democratic incumbent MaxCleland in the Senate race; and former state senator Sonny Perdueover Democratic Gov. Roy Barnes, with credit unions on the wrongside of both races. Credit unions backed Cleland and Barnes forreelection, but were also working on behalf of Chambliss and Perduebecause the two also had pro-credit union records, according toCindy Connelly, chief lobbyist for Georgia CU Affiliates. The GOPalso maintained its majority of the House seats, claiming an 8-to-5majority after counting the state's two new districts, up from8-to-3 in the current Congress, despite having the new politicalmap being drawn by the Democratic state legislature. "It looks likethose three new districts the Democrats drew are going to goRepublican," CUNA political director Richard Gose said Tuesdaynight.