Representative Mark Butler

Savannah Morning News endorses Mark Butler

WITH INCUMBENT Georgia Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond, who was well-liked, leaving this seat to make what appears to be an ill-fated run for the U.S. Senate, this race is like the ag commissioner contest - wide open.

Our pick is Mark Butler, a 40-year-old Republican from Carrollton.

He sees the Labor Department of the future as a more active partner with business and a more proactive force in training Georgians for emerging job trends. With an unemployment rate hovering around 10 percent, Georgia needs a dynamic agency.

Mr. Butler is a real estate appraiser and has served eight years in the state House. His contacts with economic development professionals in Atlanta and around the state should be a plus.

He's also concerned that some of these professionals apparently see this department as ineffective. If so, this image must change.

Mr. Butler said the department was not able to provide the kind of detailed, useful information employers need, largely because the agency's technology is outdated. He pledges to modernize, giving staffers the tools to effectively connect employers with markets and workers.

Mr. Butler's plans also call for better analysis of downward trends in particular industries, and the skill sets of the workers in those
industries. He said getting in front of those trends will help the Labor Department shift the skills of laid-off workers to other jobs,
and develop programs to deliver any retraining necessary.

That's the kind of proactive approach necessary to shorten stays in the unemployment line and get Georgians back to work.

Darryl Hicks, 46, who's the Democratic candidate and lives in Fayetteville, is less detailed about his proposals. Local Democrats
also said he hasn't done much campaigning in this area, which is a concern.

Mr. Butler offers the more compelling agenda. His political experience should be a plus in getting any labor-related measures approved by a Republican-controlled Georgia Legislature. We support his candidacy.