Graves Gets High Marks from Heritage, Feeds Senate Run Saga

U.S. Congressman Tom Graves (R-GA-14) scored high marks on a report from The Heritage Foundation today. A press release this afternoon reported that Rep. Graves received a high rank for his record in the 112th Congress as well as in the House of Representatives. The rating comes from a conservative scorecard issued by Heritage Actions, a grassroots offshoot organization of conservative think tank, The Heritage Foundation.
According to the press release Graves was ranked first in the Georgia Congressional delegation for his record in the 112th Congress. It goes on to say by scoring 90 percent on the House side Graves was just one of 23 House members earning Heritage’s Sentinel status. Additionally, a score of 97 percent tied him for first in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“We congratulate these Sentinels who stood guard, vigilantly protecting our freedoms during the 112th Congress,”

Heritage Action CEO Michael Needham said in a press release from the organization, adding,

“Not only did they advance the conservative cause, but they also held back the incessant tide of tax increases, out-of-control spending, and harmful policies that breed dependency on government. In Washington, this is no easy task, which makes these Members all the more commendable.”

Needham added the scorecard reveals the lawmakers who talk like conservatives and those who act like conservatives.

The recent score comes in a series of conservative notoriety for the congressman, including Tea Party accolades and last year’s 100 percent rating from the Club for Growth. For the last three years, he’s been exalted as a friend of the taxpayer and a champion of the conservative cause. All this makes a Graves 2014 Senate run enticing and part of the super-storm of speculation in the wake of Senator Saxby Chambliss’ retirement announcement on Friday.

The battle for the Chambliss seat has the potential to not only pit party against party— Democrats are already circling—but, conservative against establishment Republicans. Conservatives see it as a way to vote in a perceived strong conservative, like Graves. As such the conservative-establishment battle seems to be brewing when names like Sonny Purdue get swept in the whirlwind. Perceived as part of the establishment wing of the GOP, Purdue’s name seems to throw the gauntlet, challenging conservatives for the spot.

Given, at this point, though, all the names bandied about for Georgia’s soon-to-be vacant Senate seat are mere speculation and voters will have to wait until the wind dies down. However, the most alluring name for voters seems to be U.S. Rep. Tom Price (R-GA-6). Speculators say Price is expected to make an announcement this week regarding a Senate run. But, when FYN spoke with Price’s office today, we were told that Price has not made an announcement yet and may not. However, sources continue to hint heavily of a Price Senate run.