Differences between Nathan Deal and Roy Barnes
Contents
Nathan Deal vs. Roy Barnes[edit]
Nathan Deal and Roy Barnes served as governors of Georgia during different eras of the state's political history. Barnes, a Democrat, held office from 1999 to 2003. Deal, a Republican, served two terms from 2011 to 2019. Their tenures reflect the shift in Georgia's executive branch from Democratic control to Republican dominance. While both governors focused on education and economic growth, their specific legislative priorities and political outcomes differed.
Comparison table[edit]
| Category | Roy Barnes | Nathan Deal |
|---|---|---|
| Political Party | Democratic | Republican |
| Terms in Office | 1999–2003 | 2011–2019 |
| Main Education Policy | A+ Education Reform Act (2000) | Quality Basic Education (QBE) formula review |
| Criminal Justice | Standard enforcement | Accountability courts and sentencing reform |
| State Flag | Led the 2001 flag change | Maintained the 2003 compromise flag |
| Economic Focus | Northern Georgia transportation (GRTA) | Film tax credits and Savannah port expansion |
| Legislative Background | State Senator and Representative | U.S. Representative (Democrat then Republican) |
Political history and career paths[edit]
Roy Barnes grew up in Mableton, Georgia, and practiced law before entering politics. He served in the Georgia State Senate and the Georgia House of Representatives. In 1998, he won the gubernatorial election. His term was characterized by a push for centralized state authority, which earned him the nickname "King Roy" among some opponents.[1]
Nathan Deal's career followed a different trajectory. He served in the Georgia State Senate as a Democrat before winning a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1992. He changed parties to become a Republican in 1995. Deal resigned from Congress in 2010 to run for governor. He won the 2010 election and secured a second term in 2014. Deal focused on maintaining a business-friendly environment and managing the state's budget after the 2008 recession.[2]
Key policy initiatives[edit]
Education was a central issue for both men. Barnes passed the A+ Education Reform Act of 2000, which ended teacher tenure for new hires and introduced a state testing system. These changes met with opposition from teacher advocacy groups.[3] Deal focused on the funding side of education. He created a commission to recommend changes to the state's funding formula and increased spending on technical colleges to meet industry needs.
In criminal justice, the two governors took different approaches. Barnes followed the prevailing "tough on crime" trends of the 1990s. Deal, conversely, initiated a comprehensive overhaul of the state's prison system. He advocated for accountability courts that provided alternatives to incarceration for non-violent offenders with drug or mental health issues. This effort aimed to reduce the state's prison population and associated costs.[4]
The state flag remains a point of distinction between their records. In 2001, Barnes led a move to remove the Confederate battle emblem from the state flag. The move was unpopular with some voters and is often cited as a reason for his defeat by Sonny Perdue in 2002. Deal did not face a similar flag crisis, as he took office after the 2003 referendum that settled the current design.
References[edit]
- ↑ Cook, James F. (2005). The Governors of Georgia, 1754-2004. Mercer University Press. pp. 315–319.
- ↑ Schaefer, Glen. (2018). "The Deal Era: A look at the Governor's eight years in office." The Gainesville Times.
- ↑ Salzer, James. (2002). "Teachers' anger a factor in Barnes' loss." The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
- ↑ Redmon, Jeremy. (2018). "Deal’s criminal justice legacy: Fewer in prison, more in treatment." The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
