The Weekly Scalawag

Chances are you haven't heard of W. Randy Murray, despite the fact that the AJC has endorsed him in the Democratic primary race for state insurance commissioner. A former mayor of Toccoa, Murray, 54, has made millions in the insurance business and has served on numerous state and civic boards.
Recently, he approached Georgia Equality, a gay advocacy group, for its endorsement. But when he learned last week that the group had instead decided to support Lois Cohen, his Democratic opponent, Murray left a cryptic message for Director Allen Thornell: "I just want to thank you, because all my friends at the Southern Baptist Convention will be thrilled to know I'm on their side."

Thornell says that when he returned the call, Murray threatened to exploit Georgia Equality's endorsement for Cohen by seeking assistance from the gay-hostile Convention in appealing to conservative voters.

"He essentially said he'd use homophobia to beat his opponent," Thornell says.

When Murray was asked by the Augusta Chronicle about his comments to Georgia Equality, he dug himself in even deeper by denying having left the message. After the newspaper told him they had been given a recording, Murray 'fessed up. He tells CL that he lost his temper and left a rude message, but that he didn't mean to imply that he's out to get gays. "I'm not stupid," he explains.

Certainly, there are Georgia politicians who've used anti-gay stances to try to win points with the far-right. U.S. Rep. Bob Barr still touts his "Defense of Marriage Act" and state Sen. Phil Gingrey offered his "Defense of Scouting Act" so the Boy Scouts could refuse to hire gay Scoutmasters.

With the primary taking place on Tuesday, it's quite possible that, as you read this, Murray's candidacy is already a political footnote. But it won't be because he lacks resources; his campaign war chest was a robust $250,000, compared to a mere $70,000 for Cohen. The AJC lauded Murray for refusing contributions from insurance companies, but what it didn't say was that his campaign was entirely self-funded.

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