Coastal Empire

No black Republicans sit in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Karen Bogans, a former aide to U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston, R-Savannah, wants to do something about that next year.

Bogans is considering running for the 12th Congressional District seat held by Savannah Democrat John Barrow.

"I'm more in it than out," the government and community affairs consultant said, adding that she'll make a final decision by the end of the year.

Kingston stopped just short of formal support.

"I would lean toward endorsing her," he said. "She's a hard worker, very knowledgeable, very presentable and very articulate.

"She brings a lot more to the table than the traditional white male in a marginal Democratic district."

Bogans said she's aware that about 40 percent of the district's voters are black. In Georgia, 85 percent to 90 percent of such voters usually cast votes for Democrats.

"I believe that the African-American community is a lot more conservative than people give them credit for," she said.

Barrow won last year by only 864 votes, so even a slightly larger GOP share of the black electorate in the 12th could make a difference.

Or so the argument goes among some Republican strategists.

University of Georgia political science professor Charles Bullock said black Republican congressional candidates usually lose in Georgia.

Most of them, he said, run against black Democratic incumbents. But Barrow is white, so Bogans "might be able to peel off" some blacks who usually vote Democratic, he said.

"My kneejerk reaction ... is that her chances are not real good, but it would be an interesting matchup," Bullock said.

Despite her determination to run as a conservative, Bogans had little to say about Barrow or issues.

"I've met Mr. Barrow," she said. "He's a decent person."

She declined to comment on his voting record.

"I'm running to try to bring the entire district together," she said.

Asked if she can do that better than Barrow, she said, "Anyone who runs must think they can do a better job than the person who's there."

While saying immigration and education are key issues, she took no specific positions on either.

"I would have to look at it and see what is best for the district," Bogans said of both matters.

Bogans must win next July's GOP primary to earn the right to face Barrow in the general election.

Chris Edenfield and Ray McKinney of Savannah already are running as Republicans. Wayne Mosley of Vidalia and former Augusta Mayor Bob Young have been mentioned as possible candidates.

None is well-known throughout the district, so raising money to spread their messages to voters will be critical.

Bogans said she would have to raise about $1 million to mount a winning effort.

As of Sept. 30, Barrow reported he had raised $944,892.

Chatham County GOP Chairman Frank Murray is neutral in the primary contest but said Bogans "would be a strong candidate" and has "a lot of good ideas."

J.C. Watts, of Oklahoma, the last black Republican in the House, did not seek re-election in 2002.