By DAVE HAMRICK
dhamrick@TheCitizenNews.com

A group of Fayette Republican Party leaders is trying to pin the “donkey tail” on Rep. Rick Price, saying he votes like a Democrat.

Price is “no longer deserving” of the party's support, the group said in an open letter to Republicans in Price's 28th District. Price's vote for the Senate version of an education reform bill backed by Gov. Roy Barnes, a Democrat, angered the group.

“As an area that votes consistently and overwhelmingly Republican, the citizens of the 28th Senate District have a right to representation that follows Republican principles,” says the letter.

Party Chairman Eric Dial was quick to point out that the group of six do not represent the party as a whole, but said they're entitled to their opinion.

“These six individuals are voters and taxpayers and are certainly entitled to their opinion, and have the right to express it,” said Dial, adding, “This is not official Fayette County Republican Party business and does not represent the official stand of the Republican Party.”

Price agreed that the signers of the open letter have a right to their opinion, adding, “It goes with the territory.” But he defended his voting record as a Republican and a conservative.

“Having one of the highest ratings of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the Small Business Federation and the Christian Coalition apparently isn't good enough for these few,” said Price.

He said he voted for the Senate version of the education bill, but Thursday night voted against the final version.

Signing the open letter were Charlie Harper, the party's first vice chairman; Lane Watts, vice chairman for precinct operations; Margaret Vail, assistant vice chairperson for the 104th District; Troy Besseche, treasurer; David Studdard, vice chairman for membership, and Elizabeth Cole, 19th precinct chairperson.

Harper said this week it's his hope that the group's action will stimulate someone to run against Price for the Republican nomination.

“I'm trying to get a candidate to run against Sen. Price, he said. “If absolutely necessary, yes,” he said when asked if he might be that candidate himself. But he is hoping the candidate will be someone else, he said.

Either way, he added, “With redistricting coming up next year, we can't afford to have someone who is voting against Republicans at that time.”

Do confrontations of this type hurt a political party?

Party Chairman Dial stopped short of accusing the group of harming the party, but said, “This type of thing has the potential to harm the party.

“We do have a responsibility to hold elected officials responsible, but we have to be careful how we do that,” he added.

Price said he believes such an attack is hurtful to the party, but added, “It's also part of the process.”

Harper said no. “I think it's more hurtful if you've got someone who claims to be a Republican voting against his party,” he said. “We've got to hold rank on the important bills.”