Spring Break
Students' father runs for governor: Dubose Porter
Sons talk about life in the spotlight
DREW WHEATLEY
Issue date: 10/14/09 Section: News
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Their father, DuBose Porter, is the minority leader of the Georgia House of Representatives. He has represented Dublin in the House since 1982, before any of his sons had been born.
But things changed slightly this April when Porter announced his intention to run for the Democratic nomination in the 2010 Georgia gubernatorial election.
"Dad's been in politics since before we were born," said Inman Porter, a sophomore finance major. "But this is a lot grander scale. It's not just Laurens County or Dublin - it's a big statewide election. It's a lot more exciting and a lot more work."
The three brothers, along with their oldest brother Stephen, a 2007 University graduate, have spent considerable time during the last several months traveling to localized political events on behalf of their father's campaign, where they have been speaking to voters and handing out "thousands" of bumper stickers.
"We'll go there, wear our [DuBose Porter] T-shirts, and talk to people and let them know what DuBose is about," said Guyton, a senior English major.
The three brothers said they recognize that their actions at the University are likely under increased scrutiny, but they aren't too worried about mudslinging being directed toward them.
"You got to realize that a lot of people don't like it when you try to bring people's families into it," Inman said.
"And we've actually been pretty good kids in college," he said with a laugh, mentioning that his mother "hammered that into" the three at the start of the campaign.
Guyton said his friends have shared in the campaign excitement - even ones who are Republicans.
"Our friends have been an amazing support," Guyton said. "All of our friends have bumper stickers, they all wear T-shirts and they joined the Facebook group. It's been a lot of fun having them along for the ride."
Asa, a sophomore public relations major, is the only son who said he is considering following his father into the political arena. The issue he's most passionate about is education.
"Education, in general, is the center of a culture or a society," he said. "If you have a good education system, you are going to be able to create more jobs and have a better educated public."
His father was a key figure in the writing of the legislation that established the HOPE Scholarship.
"It's been a lot of help in our family, with four boys going to college at the same time," Asa said.
