Campaign qualifying check of Georgia State Sen. Abernathy bounces

Jet, June 29, 1998

Georgia State Sen. Ralph David Abernathy said his $400 qualifying check to run for office bounced because the Democratic Party is out to get him.

Abernathy said the check, which was written against his wife's personal account, bounced because the Georgia Democratic party held it for eight days, the Atlanta Journal and Constitution reported.

The embattled senator made this argument before a hearing officer who makes a recommendation on the case to the secretary of state.

"If the check had been presented in a timely fashion, the funds would have been there," Abernathy said. "I believe that the Democratic Party does not want me in office."

Steve Anthony, executive director of the state party, responded: "I'm sorry that he feels that way. That's obviously not true. I didn't cause his check to bounce," he told the paper.

Abernathy, the son and namesake of the famous civil rights leader, insisted that Anthony should have let him make good on the check when it didn't clear, a courtesy he said other legislatures have been given in the past.

Abernathy said he will compete for his seat even if he has to be a write-in candidate or run as an independent.