Ex-Georgia guard chief to run for governor

ATLANTA — The former commander of the Georgia National Guard has become the first Democrat to enter the 2010 race for governor.

David Poythress said Tuesday he believes he can pull support from moderate Republicans and independents in GOP-leaning Georgia. Poythress is a former state labor commissioner and Georgia secretary of state. He was first appointed adjutant general of the Georgia guard by Democrat Roy Barnes. Republican Gov. Sonny Perdue reappointed him and made him the first three-star general in the Georgia guard’s history.

State insurance commissioner John Oxendine is the only Republican candidate who has thrown his hat in the ring for the 2010 governor’s race. But a number of candidates are eying the contest, including Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle.