2022 Elections - Page 3

GOP Candidate for Agriculture Commissioner Lands Endorsement of Fmr. Governor Roy Barnes

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A Republican candidate for Agriculture Commissioner of Georgia has landed the endorsement of former Democrat Governor Roy Barnes.

Tyler Harper’s campaign team made the announcement Thursday. The State Senator seeking the statewide post will face Democrat Nakita Hemingway and Libertarian David Raudabaugh in the general election next month.

From the campaign press release:

This marks a significant endorsement for Tyler’s campaign and shows that leaders across party lines are uniting around him because he has the background, experience, and proven record of delivering results for Georgia farmers and families.

As a seventh-generation farmer, small business owner, and State Senator, Tyler has consistently shown he can work across the aisle to deliver results for Georgia. As Agriculture Commissioner, Tyler will continue to put Georgia farmers, producers and consumers first and empower our state’s #1 industry.

Roy Barnes said also commented on Harper and his candidacy:

“I am proud to support my friend Tyler Harper for Agriculture Commissioner. As a 7th-generation farmer, small business owner, and State Senator, Tyler has a proven track record of delivering results for Georgia families and communities. As Agriculture Commissioner, Tyler will use his background and experience to fight for our farmers, producers, and consumers across Georgia and advance our state’s #1 industry. I have always appreciated Tyler’s ability to put politics aside and put the people of Georgia first, and I am confident he will continue to work in a bipartisan way to get things done for every Georgian. I encourage everyone to join me in voting for Tyler Harper for Agriculture Commissioner this fall.”

Harper said he’s honored to have Barnes’ endorsement.

“In my time in the General Assembly I have been proud of my record working across the aisle to deliver results for Georgia families, farmers, and producers. Even though Governor Barnes and I may not see eye to eye on every policy position, I look forward to our continued work together to ensure the Georgia agriculture industry is successful. As a State Senator, I was proud of our work to pass the largest tax cut in Georgia history, suspend the gas tax, pass Georgia’s Right to Farm bill, and strengthen public safety. As your next Agriculture Commissioner, I will continue to put people over politics and work every day to lower costs for our consumers, empower our farmers and producers, and help advance our state’s number one industry.”

Current Commissioner Gary Black is not seeking another term. He unsuccessfully ran for United States Senate earlier this year.

Poll has Georgia’s Kemp out to a big lead in gubernatorial race

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(The Center Square) — A new poll shows Gov. Brian Kemp widening his lead over challenger Stacey Abrams with less than a month until election day and just days before early voting starts.

The new Georgia News Collaborative poll found Kemp, a Republican, leading Abrams, a Democrat, by a margin of 51% to 40.7%. Libertarian Shane Hazel drew 2.3% of the vote, while 6% were undecided.

In Georgia, a candidate must win more than 50% to win the election outright and avoid a runoff.

Meanwhile, the nationally watched U.S. Senate race, which could decide whether Democrats maintain the U.S. Senate or Republicans seize control, is a “dead heat.”

Incumbent U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, a Democrat, is leading Republican challenger Herschel Walker by a 46.4% to 43.4% margin. Libertarian Chase Oliver picked up 4.1% of the vote, opening the possibility of a runoff between Warnock and Walker; another 6.1% were undecided.

In the attorney general’s race, incumbent Chris Carr, a Republican, is leading state Sen. Jen Jordan, D-Atlanta, by a 47.4% to 38.8% margin. Libertarian Martin Cowen drew 3.6% of the vote, while 10.2% were undecided.

In the lieutenant governor’s race, Republican Burt Jones held a slight lead with 43.5% of likely voters over Democrat Charlie Bailey (38.8%) and Libertarian Ryan Graham (4%). Another 13.8% were undecided, and the poll considered the race tied.

In the secretary of state’s race, incumbent Brad Raffensperger, a Republican, was leading with 47.9% of likely voters over Democrat Bee Nguyen (33.9%) and Libertarian Ted Metz (6.3%). Another 11.8% were undecided.

The University of Georgia’s School of Policy and International Affairs polled 1,030 likely voters from Sept. 25 to Oct. 4. The poll has a 3.1% margin of error.

By T.A. DeFeo | The Center Square contributor

Poll: Americans say grocery prices will affect their vote in November

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(The Center Square) – High grocery prices are top-of-mind for voters with a little over a month until the midterm elections, according to a new poll. 

Convention of States Action, along with Trafalgar Group, released the poll, which found that 68.3% of surveyed voters say that the “increase in the price of groceries is impacting their motivation to vote in the 2022 election.”

The poll found 89.4% of Republicans agree, compared to 43.4% of Democrats.

Notably, 64.1% of Independent voters say higher grocery prices are impacting their motivation to vote in November.

Recently released federal inflation data shows that grocery prices have soared in the past year, far outpacing the already-high overall inflation rate.

“The food at home index rose 13.5 percent over the last 12 months, the largest 12-month increase since the period ending March 1979,” the Bureau of Labor Statistics said in its latest release of consumer pricing data. “The index for other food at home rose 16.7 percent and the index for cereals and bakery products increased 16.4 percent over the year. The remaining major grocery store food groups posted increases ranging from 9.4 percent (fruits and vegetables) to 16.2 percent (dairy and related products).”

In fact, food prices have risen at the fastest rate in decades.

“The food at home index rose 13.5 percent over the last 12 months, the largest 12-month increase since the period ending March 1979,” BLS said.

Rising costs of food are on the minds of many voters heading to the ballot box in November.

“This data reveals that skyrocketing grocery prices are really starting to hit Americans hard, even beyond the initial pinch they have been feeling due to surging inflation,” said Mark Meckler, president of the Convention of States. “Election observers are constantly looking for that one, top of mind issue that is affecting the mood  – ultimately the decisions – of the electorate, and when almost 70% of voters indicate they are mad enough about food prices that it makes them more likely to vote, that’s a real-time indicator that it’s an issue which has risen to that status.”

The poll queried more than 1,000 likely voters from Sept. 17th through Sept. 20th.

By Casey Harper | The Center Square

Despite court victory, voting suppression lawsuit cost Georgia taxpayers $6M to fight

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(The Center Square) — Georgia taxpayers are likely on the hook for the nearly $6 million cost to defend against a lawsuit alleging voter suppression in the 2018 election.

On Friday, U.S District Court Steve Jones ruled in favor of Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and the state elections board in a lawsuit filed by Fair Fight Action.

“Although Georgia’s election system is not perfect, the challenged practices violate neither the constitution nor the” Voting Rights Act, Jones wrote in his opinion. “As the Eleventh Circuit notes, federal courts are not ‘the arbiter[s] of disputes’ which arise in elections; it [is] not the federal court’s role to ‘oversee the administrative details of a local election.'”

Fair Fight Action, founded by Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, and other groups filed a lawsuit in November 2018, alleging Georgia’s election processes denied thousands of residents the ability to vote. The allegations centered on Georgia’s absentee ballot procedures, voter registration and voter list management practices.

“This ruling confirms what I have said all along – there is not one single eligible Georgian in 2018 who was prohibited from voting,” Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr said in an announcement. “It is now crystal clear that this ridiculous lawsuit was nothing more than a cynical fundraising scheme by Fair Fight at the expense of Georgia taxpayers.”

In a statement, Abrams said the work continues to fight against what she sees as voter suppression in the state, including through the state’s newest voting law, Senate Bill 202.

“This case and the public engagement on these issues have had measurable results: the reinstatement of over 22,000 ballots, substantive changes to voting laws, and a platform for voters of color to demand greater equity in our state,” Abrams said in a statement. “During this suit, more than 3,000 voters shared their stories, creating an unprecedented and lasting record of voter testimony, which highlighted the suppressive effects of the Secretary of State’s actions on vulnerable voters.”

Still, the reactions to the ruling were hardly a surprise, falling along party lines.

“This is a win for all Georgia election officials who dedicate their lives to safe, secure and accessible elections,” Raffensperger said in an announcement. “…This decision should quiet all those who sow fear and public distrust by denying the results of Georgia’s elections, so that Georgians know they can cast a vote, and that it will be counted in elections that are free and fair.”

By T.A. DeFeo | The Center Square contributor

Georgia Fraternal Order of Police Endorses Tyler Harper for Ag Commissioner

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The Georgia Fraternal Order of Police endorsed Tyler Harper for Agriculture Commissioner. 

The Fraternal Order of Police’s endorsement comes on the heels of the Police Benevolent Association of Georgia’s endorsement and shows that law enforcement officers throughout the state are lining up to support Tyler in his run for Agriculture Commissioner. In the State Senate, Tyler served as the Chairman of the Public Safety Committee for three years, and for the last five years, has been acting as the committee Vice-Chair, working daily to ensure the law enforcement community has the tools, funding, and resources they need to succeed and to keep Georgia families and farmers safe. As Agriculture Commissioner, Tyler will continue to partner with our men and women in law enforcement to protect our consumers and keep Georgia families safe. To view the Georgia Fraternal Order of Police’s endorsement, click HERE.

Tyler Harper said, “I am proud and humbled to receive the Georgia Fraternal Order of Police’s endorsement in our campaign for Agriculture Commissioner. I am confident that there has never been a time more important than now for Georgians to unite and support our men and women in uniform. Our law enforcement officers are valiant heroes who put their lives on the line daily to ensure communities from urban to rural Georgia are safe. As a State Senator, I was proud to champion legislation that empowered law enforcement and gave them the resources they needed to perform at the highest level. As Agriculture Commissioner, I will continue working with the law enforcement community to protect Georgia consumers, keep Georgia families safe, and advance Georgia’s number one industry.”

The Georgia Fraternal Order of Police

The Voice of Law Enforcement Professionals: The Georgia Fraternal Order of Police is committed to improving the working conditions of law enforcement officers and the safety of those we serve through education, legislation, information, community involvement, and employee representation. The Georgia Fraternal Order of Police is made up of 33 local Lodges and 5,000+ members spread out around the State of Georgia. 

PBA Endorses Kemp in General Election

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The Kemp for Governor campaign announced Monday that the Police Benevolent Association of Georgia is backing Kemp in his re-election campaign.

The Police Benevolent Association of Georgia (PBA) is a Division of the Southern States Police Benevolent Association.

The Southern States Benevolent Association is regarded as “The Voice for Law Enforcement Officers,” as it is composed of more than 60,000 law enforcement officers employed by federal, state, county and municipal governments. The organization offers legal, disciplinary, and other representation to officers who are members. The association is funded by membership dues of officers and citizen contributions.

“Governor Kemp has shown great leadership in our state. In these difficult times, he has not made decisions based on political correctness, but on what was right for businesses and citizens to safely move forward in Georgia,” said Police Benevolent Association of Georgia President Joe Naia. “When others were painting law enforcement as evil, our governor remained committed to the law enforcement community. The PBA of Georgia is honored to give our endorsement for a second term.”

“Marty, the girls, and I are forever grateful to the law enforcement professionals that continue to put their lives on the line to protect and serve everyday Georgians. There’s not a day that goes by where we don’t pray for these men and women in uniform as they stand in the gap to keep our fellow citizens safe,” said Governor Kemp. “I’m honored to have the support of the Police Benevolent Association of Georgia in this election, and I will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with law enforcement across our state to build a safer, stronger Georgia.”

Fmr. Gubernatorial Candidate Says Family Home was Swatted Monday Night

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Former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Kandiss Taylor says her family home was swatted late Monday night.

Taylor posted on social media after  2:00 a.m. Tuesday, describing the event as traumatic and “evil.”

Swatting is the practice of calling emergency services in an attempt to bring out a large number of police officers to a particular address. While some view the practice as a prank, the elevated danger associated with it has, in recent years, led it to be classified as a form of criminal harassment. In various incidents, both law enforcement officers and innocent homeowners have been injured or killed. 

Taylor said she was in the shower when one of her children came in crying hysterically about the law enforcement presence surrounding their cars and home. Two of her children had been awakened by the commotion outside.

“In my Sheriff’s defense, they thought they were protecting me because they had a call, voice to text, a female voice saying that they had shot their husband five times and was going to shoot themselves. So they came with all their weapons, rifles pointed at my house, ready to shoot.”

Taylor said she called an investigator who told her to call 911 and speak to dispatch. The dispatcher, according to Taylor, informed her of what had been reported to law enforcement.

“I’ve had people that were murdered because they stepped out their front door with rifles pointed at that them killed them,” Taylor said of swatting. “I’m telling you right now this is wrong. I don’t care what political party you are. This is evil. This is wrong. This is not OK.”

Taylor said she recorded the entire event at her home in rural southeast Georgia’s Appling County.

Taylor is no stranger to controversy. As a Trump supporter and political candidate herself, Taylor has been outspoken on the issues of voter fraud, the 2020 election, healthcare, the role of government, and, most prominently, ‘Jesus, Guns, and Babies,’ which she coined as part of her platform. Last week, however, Taylor became the target of pundits who suggested she was supportive of the bombing of the Georgia Guidestones because, during her campaign, she had promised to tear them down via executive order. Taylor has denounced any deliberate bombing of the monument, but said she saw no evidence of anything other than an ‘act of God.’

Though it began in the online gaming community, swatting has expanded to the political realm in recent years. Just last week, former White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon’s Washington, D.C., townhome was swatted over a false report that an armed man had shot someone inside. The same day, a man was arrested for the practice in New Jersey and a family in Florida was ordered out of their home by a SWAT team following a series of prank calls.

Follow the Money: Sen Blake Tillery [July 2022]

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Sen. Blake Tillery recently filed his campaign finance disclosure for the last six months. 

What Money Am I Following?

Georgia lawmakers are required to file campaign finance reports to disclose how much money they collected and spent from their campaign accounts.

  • All contributions and expenditures greater than $100 must be itemized
  • Aggregate totals of all contributions and expenditures of $100 or less must be reported
  • During an election year, elected officials and candidates must file six times
  • During a non-election year, reports must be filed twice
  • A maximum of $3,000 for an election cycle is permitted from each donor
  • An additional $1,600 may be donated for a run-off election
  • Lawmakers are not permitted to collect donations during the legislative session

Senate District: 19
Counties: Appling, Jeff Davis, Long, Montgomery, Tattnall (pt), Telfair, Toombs, Treutlen, Wayne, Wheeler (view the district map)
First Elected: 2016
Next Election: November 2022
Committees: Appropriations (Chairman), Government Oversight, State Institutions & Property, Judiciary, Reapportionment & Redistricting
Contact: blake.tillery@senate.ga.gov or (404) 656-5038

Most Recent Campaign Finance Filing by Sen. Blake Tillery

Period: Feb 1, 2022 – June 30, 2022
Total Raised: $6,350
Total Spent: $30,856.83
Loans: $0
TOTAL IN CAMPAIGN ACCOUNT: $523,458.86

Contributions

Contributions of less than $100 are not included in the list.
From Individuals:

  • Andy Robinson – $250
  • Hugh Sosebee Jr – $1,000

From Other Candidates/Elected Officials

Jesse Stone Superior Court Judge$3,000
Tommy J Smith$1,000
Billy Hickman for State Senate$1,000
Committee to Elect Jason Anivatarte$1,000
Max Burns for State Senate$1,000
Clint Dixon for State Senate$1,000
Hatchett for Georgia$1,000
Friends of Russ Goodman $1,000
Kay for Senate$2,000
Strickland for Georgia$2,000

From PACs:

ACEC Georgia PAC$1,000
Georgia Association of Realtors PAC$1,600
Georgia’s Rural Telephone & Broadband PAC$1,000
Georgia Oilmen’s Association$1,000

From Businesses

Truvista Communications$500
Expenditures

To Other Candidates

Friends of Clay Pirkle$1,000
  • $590 to charities
  • $8,896 to campaign consultant 
  • $296 to newspapers
  • $2,400 – John Eunice for apartment rent
  • $400 – Georgia Republican Party qualifying fee
  • $500 – East Georgia Fellowship of Christian Athletes
  • $257 – Vidalia Chamber of Commerce
  • $250 – Exchange Club of Wayne County

https://cdn.thegeorgiavirtue.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Blake-Tillery-campaign-finance-ending-04.30.22.pdf

https://cdn.thegeorgiavirtue.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Blake-Tillery-campaign-finance-ending-06.30.22.pdf

Follow the Money: Sen. Max Burns [July 2022]

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Sen Max Burns recently filed his campaign finance disclosure for the last six months. 

What Money Am I Following?

Georgia lawmakers are required to file campaign finance reports to disclose how much money they collected and spent from their campaign accounts.

  • All contributions and expenditures greater than $100 must be itemized
  • Aggregate totals of all contributions and expenditures of $100 or less must be reported
  • During an election year, elected officials and candidates must file six times
  • During a non-election year, reports must be filed twice
  • A maximum of $3,000 for an election cycle is permitted from each donor
  • An additional $1,600 may be donated for a run-off election
  • Lawmakers are not permitted to collect donations during the legislative session

Senate District: 23
Counties: Screven, Jenkins, Burke, Johnson, Jefferson, Glascock, McDuffie, Warren (parts of Emanuel, Richmond) (View the district map)
First Elected: 2020
Next Election: November 2022
Committees: Ethics (Chairman), Agriculture & Consumer Affairs, Higher Education, Special Judiciary
Contact: max.burns@senate.ga.gov or  (404) 656-7586

Most Recent Campaign Finance Filing by Sen. Max Burns

Period: Feb 1, 2022 – June 30, 2022
Total Raised: $7,000 and $85.39 in-kind
Total Spent: $34,201.83
Loans: $0
TOTAL IN CAMPAIGN ACCOUNT: $60,118.49

Contributions

Contributions of less than $100 are not included in the list.

From Individuals:

D. Wright McLeod – $1,000

From Other Candidates/Elected Officials

Friends of Blake Tillery$1,000

From PACs:

ConnectSouth for a Better GA PAC$85.39 (in-kind)
SFA PAC Inc.$500
GMHA – Georgia Manufactured Housing Assn PAC$250
Community Bank Employees for Better Gov’t PAC$250
Committee for Affordable Workforce Housing PAC$500
Georgia Association of Realtors PAC$2,200
Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders, LLP PAC$250

From Businesses

RAI Services Company (Winston-Salem, NC)$1,000
Expenditures

To Self

  • Via a donation to Advantage Georgia, Inc. (for which Max Burns is the registered agent) – $5,000
  • Via a donation to Advantage Georgia, Inc. on 5/7 – $5,000
  • Via a donation to Advantage Georgia, Inc. on 6/9 – $1,000

To Other Candidates

Jesse Stone for Superior Court Judge$2,000
Committee to Elect Carden Summers$1,000
Mike Hodges for State Senate$1,000
Chuck Payne for State Senate$1,000
Gary Black for Senate (US)$1,000
Strickland for Georgia$1,000
John F. Kennedy for State Senate$1,000
Kay for Senate$1,000
Friends of Frank Ginn for Senate$1,000
Chuck Hufstetler for state Senate$1,000
Rick W. Allen for Congress$1,000
Bruce Thompson for Georgians, Inc.$1,000
Hausmann for Georgia$1,000
Tyler Harper for Georgia$1,000

https://cdn.thegeorgiavirtue.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Max-Burns-Campaign-finance-end-4.30.22.pdf

https://cdn.thegeorgiavirtue.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Max-Burns-Campaign-finance-end-06.30.22.pdf

Follow the Money: Sen. Billy Hickman [July 2022]

Published on

Sen. Billy Hickman recently filed his campaign finance disclosure for the last six months. 

What Money Am I Following?

Georgia lawmakers are required to file campaign finance reports to disclose how much money they collected and spent from their campaign accounts.

  • All contributions and expenditures greater than $100 must be itemized
  • Aggregate totals of all contributions and expenditures of $100 or less must be reported
  • During an election year, elected officials and candidates must file six times
  • During a non-election year, reports must be filed twice
  • A maximum of $3,000 for an election cycle is permitted from each donor
  • An additional $1,600 may be donated for a run-off election
  • Lawmakers are not permitted to collect donations during the legislative session

Senate District: 6
Counties: Bulloch, Candler, Effingham, Emanuel, Evans, Tattnall
First Elected: 2020
Next Election: November 2022 (no opposition)
Committees: Finance, Government Oversight – Secretary, Higher Education, Retirement
Contact: Phone or Email

Most Recent Campaign Finance Filing by Sen. Billy Hickman
Contributions

Contributions of less than $100 are not included in the list.

From Individuals:

  • Freddie Brinson (Statesboro, GA) – $100
  • Billy Joe Tillman (Statesboro, GA) – $500

From Other Candidates/Elected Officials

  • Friends of Blake Tillery – $1,000

From PACs:

Georgia Association of Realtors PAC$2,200
Committee for Affordable Workforce Housing $750
Delta PAC$750
Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals$500
GTBA Georgia’s Rural Telephone & Broadband$500
General Dynamics Corporation PAC$500

EXPENDITURES
  • $4,267.20 paid to Billy Hickman for mileage reimbursement in 2021

To Other Candidates

Brad for Georgia Sec. of State$1,0006/2/22
Burt Jones for Lt. Governor$2,5006/27/22
Team Herschel, Inc.$1,0006/9/22


See the full reports as filed below

https://cdn.thegeorgiavirtue.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Hickman-Campaign-finance-end-4.30.22.pdf

https://cdn.thegeorgiavirtue.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Hickman-Campaign-finance-end-6.30.22.pdf

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