The resignation of state superintendent Kathy Cox has Georgia Democrats mounting a battle for the chair.

Cox would have been the Republican incumbent in the race, but she withdrew suddenly this week, and the filing deadline for the state’s primary elections has passed.

That means Democrats have the most recognizable candidate - Joe Martin/  Martin was on the Atlanta school board for 20 years and has run for the state's top education job twice.

If a Democrat wins, it would be the first state schools chief in 16 years who is not a Republican.

Cox is stepping down June 30 to become the chief executive officer of the U.S. Education Delivery Institute, a new Washington-based group aimed at assisting states in reaching "Race
for the Top" goals.

The race is three Democrats and two Republicans.

Tags: Georgia, elections, State Schools Superintendent Kathy Cox, 2010 elections