In Their Own Words: The Candidates for GOP Chair 

May 16, 2013

DELEGATES AND ALTERNATES TO THE STATE GOP CONVENTION

It is a pleasure to provide additional information regarding some of the candidates running for State GOP Chair. As you make your voting choices, the Georgia Christian Coalition wanted you to have as much information as possible.

The GCC sent a questionnaire with 15 questions to the four candidates. We are passing to you their answers, unedited. If they did not respond, it is reported in the answer section of each question. Neither candidate said the questions were unfair to their candidacy.Those who responded also supplied contact information should you wish to contact them for more details.

Thanks to Chairman Sue Everhart, under whom a Republican was elected to every Georgia Constitutional office, the chair has become one of the most important positions in state government and in politics. She cannot run again due to term limits.

1. At the local, district, or state levels, what services have you given the GOP?

VanGundy: I served as Precinct Chairman, Gwinnett YR Treasurer, Gwinnett Chairman (4 Years), 6^th and 7^th District Chairman (6 Years), and 2^nd Vice Chairman (4 Years) for the GAGOP. Additionally, I have served as a campaign advisor and volunteer to numerous Republican campaigns.

Harp: I have served at all levels of the party. Precinct Chairman, Muscogee Co, County Chair, Muscogee Co, Third District Chair, General Counsel GA GOP. Delegate to National Conventions, Member Electoral College. I began my service as a worker for Barry Goldwater in 1963-4.

Johnson: DeKalb YR Chairman (2 terms), DeKalb GOP: Legal Counsel, Executive Board Member, Senate District Chair, Precinct Chairman. Republican Nominee for Georgia State Senate in District 41 in 2010, received over 40% of vote in general election.  For further details regarding my experience see: http://www.AdvanceTheGOP.com/about.html and http://www.linkedin.com/pub/jordan-%22alex%22-johnson/4/715/441

Padgett: Did not respond to questionnaire.

2. What has been your Party fund raising experience? 

VanGundy: I chaired Congressman John Linder’s and Gwinnett Commission Chairman Charles Bannister’s campaign where one of my responsibilities was raising money.  Also, as a leader in the above mentioned organizations, I had the task of finding investors who were willing to support our efforts with monetary contributions.

Harp: I have raised funds for my own races Senate 2000-2011, George H W Bush, Phil Gramm,G. W. Bush, numerous Congressmen, other state candidates.

Johnson: Participated in fundraising as a College Republican and Young Republican. Am the incoming foundation committee chairman in the North Atlanta Rotary club, and sit on a board that fundraises from young alumni at Oglethorpe University. For further details regarding my plans for fundraising see: http://www.AdvanceTheGOP.com/plans.html

Padgett: Did not respond to questionnaire.

3. What of major importance about you or your campaign has been least covered by meetings or the media? 

VanGundy: The difference between significant experience with Technology and the specificity of my First 100 Day Plan verses their lack of such experience and the generality of their plans has not been addressed. My plan is a very ambitious and specific set of goals while their plans more resemble mission statements.

Harp: My desire to try and heal the relationship between our elected and governing officers and certain grass root organizations.

Johnson: The fact that I am the only candidate that believes that the Georgia GOP Chairman and Georgia GOP has an obligation to support and represent the interests of the Republican activists throughout Georgia. This contrasts with the historical view that the GOP should solely support politicians, regardless of values.

Padgett: Did not respond to questionnaire.

4. Is there a statewide tax you would support eliminating?  

VanGundy: The state income tax needs to be eliminated and replaced with a Fair Tax. There may be additional taxes as well that should be eliminated. Especially those that are disguised as “fees”. 

Harp: I would eliminate the income tax on personal income.

Johnson: Yes, in my personal opinion, but it would be inappropriate for me to advocate such changes. The State GOP Chairman does not have legislative power and should not be involved in policymaking except as advocated by the grassroots of the GAGOP and the GAGOP State and Executive Committees.

Padgett: Did not respond to questionnaire.

5. In the just concluded Georgia General Assembly session, what legislation would you oppose?

VanGundy: The chairman’s job is to elect conservative Republicans and educate voters about Republican principles.  Therefore, while not yet passed, I oppose the slate of bills that makes a number of local offices non-partisan diminishes the importance of the Georgia Republican Party and hides liberal candidates from scrutiny.

Harp: The original ethics bill that was proposed.

Johnson: The State GOP Chairman needs to support Republican principles, the Republican platform, and the Republican party. As State Chairman, my personal opinion on legislation is secondary to the grassroots of the Georgia GOP and the Georgia GOP State and Executive Committees. Comments on this may divide the party.

Padgett: Did not respond to questionnaire.

6. Further, in the just concluded Georgia General Assembly session, what legislation just passed that you would have most supported?

VanGundy: I personally felt very proud of our Republican leadership for finding a way forward on ethics legislation.  Although imperfect, the ethics bill showed our willingness to tackle tough issues.  More importantly, the process stressed how important citizen activists are; grassroots activism deserves the real credit for reform. 

Harp: The ethics bill proposed by the Senate.

Johnson: The State GOP Chairman needs to support Republican principles, the Republican platform, and the Republican party. As State Chairman, my personal opinion on legislation is secondary to the grassroots of the Georgia GOP and the Georgia GOP State and Executive Committees. Comments on this may divide the party.

Padgett: Did not respond to questionnaire.

7. What laws on immigration should be most strictly enforced at the state level?

VanGundy: Laws shouldn’t leave loopholes and rely on “feel good enforcement.”  Immigration laws should be enforced.  The role the Republican Party has is not about enforcement.  It is about electing principled leadership that looks to biblical, moral foundations for lawmaking.  This is where the Republican Party has influence.

Harp: The identification of illegal’s and their deportations.

Johnson: The State GOP Chairman needs to support Republican principles, the Republican platform, and the Republican party. As State Chairman, my personal opinion on legislation is secondary to the grassroots of the Georgia GOP and the Georgia GOP State and Executive Committees. Comments on this may divide the party.

Padgett: Did not respond to questionnaire.

8. Should party leadership at any level vet candidates who want to run as Republicans?

VanGundy: Yes.

Harp: Yes, but before they qualify and it should be done privately.

Johnson: No-the entire party membership, not just the “leadership”, should ensure that candidates share our Republican principles.

Padgett: Did not respond to questionnaire.

9. Would you encourage candidates who are openly GLBT to run as a Republican? 

VanGundy: No

Harp: No.

Johnson: No-I would not encourage anyone to run as Republican based on their sexual orientation, but based on their policies and platform.

Padgett: Did not respond to questionnaire.

10. Would you support or oppose legislation on homosexual “marriage?”

VanGundy: I oppose the legalization of homosexual “marriage”.

Harp: Oppose.

Johnson: No Response-my personal opinion on legislation is secondary to the grassroots of the Georgia GOP and the Georgia GOP State and Executive Committees. Comments on this may divide the party.

Padgett: Did not respond to questionnaire.

11. Would you require open bidding process for state party purchase of goods and services? 

VanGundy: Yes.

Harp:Yes.

Johnson: Yes-I would support it for significant purchases and contracts, when time constraints allow. Good stewardship of party money is important.

Padgett: Did not respond to questionnaire.

12. Should schools and colleges revise standards to create a racial or cultural bias for diversity in hiring or admissions in any education institution receiving state funds?

VanGundy: No.

Harp: No.

Johnson: No Response-this is a legislative issue.

Padgett: Did not respond to questionnaire.

13. Should voting for or giving over $500 total to Democrats where there was Republican opposition in the past 10 years disqualify anyone from being supported? 

VanGundy: Yes. Unless. They have demonstrated what can be described as a genuine change of heart through their actions and words.

Harp: Yes.

Johnson: No-it needs to be on a case-by-case basis, as we should not punish people for their past mistakes if they have truly seen the error of their ways.

Padgett: Did not respond to questionnaire.

14. Should the GAGOP give funds to local or district offices? If so, how much and how would you allocate it?

VanGundy: The state party should budget money to allocate resources that support and provide infrastructure to district and county parties and takes advantage of economies of scale. The state party should not be in the business of direct grants. Local parties that assist the state party with fundraising may share in the proceeds under specific agreements.

Harp: No.

Johnson: Money should be allocated to fund specific events and efforts put on by county/district parties through a case-by-case process that supports efforts to grow the party, statewide, while ensuring all money is effectively used. Block grants would fail since it would lack accountability, and trigger federal reporting requirements.

Padgett: Did not respond to questionnaire.

15. Finally, in the interest of complete fairness we would like to know if for any reason you felt the questions in this survey tended to support or oppose any candidate.  If so, please explain in 50 words.

VanGundy: Yes, I feel the questions are fair.  

Harp: I feel the questions are fair.

Johnson: Some questions involve legislative issues unrelated to the role of Chairman, and the wording could divide the GAGOP, regardless of answer. I am a Christian. I believe in limited government, Constitutional conservative principles. Georgia’s grassroots determines priorities and how they translate to legislation. The Chairman serves the people,

Padgett: Did not respond to questionnaire.

Additional Resources: 

Seth Harp: sethharp@aol.com

Alex Johnson: AlexJohnson@Advancethegop.com

John Padgett: john@padgettforgagopchair.com

BJ VanGundy: bj@bjforchairman.com

Thank you for your time and service to the Republican Party.

Please let us know if this questionnaire is helpful in making your voting decision. Also, very important, does a candidate refusing to respond to a legitimate questionnaire make you more or less likely to vote for him? Just drop GCC a line or call.

Sincerely,

Jerry Luquire
President
Georgia Christian Coalition
(706) 366-8298
jerryluquire@aol.com

Georgia Pundit - Georgia Politics, Campaigns and Elections

Yesterday I got to sit down with former Congressman Allen West, who would later speak to the Victory Dinner. We discussed a little bit about how Republicans can reach out to Blacks. I say Blacks because that’s how the Congressman prefers to be described. It was an interesting conversation and I’ve posted part of it on GaPundit.com and will follow up with the rest. Here’s an excerpt:

GP: “One of the big issues that we’re beginning to struggle with as a party is outreach to African-Americans….”

AW: “First of all, I would rather you say Black American, because when people say ‘African-American,’ that is a collectivizing term. I have friends in South Florida who are Caucasian and they’re from the former Rhodesia, Zimbabwe, they’re from South Africa, and now they’re American citizens, and they consider themselves what? I think that we have to be careful about that because the other side does a good job of balkanizing us and so I don’t like to hyphenate. I’m an American Black. That’s how I like to be referred to.”

Saturday Convention Schedule

7-10 AM Registration in Olympia 2

7:00 AM Sergeant At Arms & Volunteers Convene in Oak Room 1

7:30 AM Victory Breakfast in the Athena Ballroom

Honoring Governor and First Lady Deal

9:00 AM Convention Committees Reconvene

Credentials Olympia 1
Resolutions Oak Room 2

Georgia Pundit - Georgia Politics, Campaigns and Elections

Nothing warms my heart like the gray muzzle of an older dog. This fellow looks to have some great stories to tell, though I suspect he’s not quite a senior yet. At 81 pounds of Lab mix, he’s a pretty big boy, but an advantage of experienced dogs is that they tend to be a little mellower, and more calm. He’s available for adoption from the Barrow County Animal Shelter, on the way back to Atlanta or points further South.
Frick and Frack are two playful, young 3-4 month old Shepherd mix pups who are available for adoption from Barrow County Animal Shelter.

Barrow County calls this young female a Rottweiler mix, but I say she’s more hound dog.

Little Lilo here is a repeat customer from two days ago, but I’m running her again because I’m taken with the idea of a little desktop dog. GaPundit is produced from my home, so if I adopted her from the Walton County Animal Control, I’d be able to set her on the table next to my laptop and have some company while I pound away at the keyboard.

Georgia Pundit - Georgia Politics, Campaigns and Elections

Congressman Allen West will address the Georgia Republican Party State Convention Victory Dinner tonight. I caught up with him for a few minutes this afternoon.

GP: “You’re not coming here to announce that you’re running for the U.S. Senate from Georgia, are you?”

AW: “No, I think if I were to do that, I’d have everyone from Paul Broun to Phil Gingrey to Jack Kingston, and who’s this other…Karen Handel…. I don’t know if I could fight my way out of that. I mean it’s bad enough that I’m in Athens, Georgia, and I’m a University of Tennessee graduate, from Georgia, so it is tough being here, but that’s okay.”

GP: “One of the big issues that we’re beginning to struggle with as a party is outreach to African-Americans….”

AW: “First of all, I would rather you say Black American, because when people say ‘African-American,’ that is a collectivizing term. I have friends in South Florida who are Caucasian and they’re from the former Rhodesia, Zimbabwe, they’re from South Africa, and now they’re American citizens, and they consider themselves what? I think that we have to be careful about that because the other side does a good job of balkanizing us and so I don’t like to hyphenate. I’m an American Black. That’s how I like to be referred to.”

GP: “One of the problems that we as white Americans have is we’re afraid to say ‘Black,’ we’re afraid we’re going to offend somebody.”

AW: “You’re terrified. But you see, Todd, that’s the exact thing we need to look at and talk about. The other side has been so successful at managing lexicon and the language that they have white Americans afraid. Afraid to say anything.”

“But yet you can have the President Emeritus of the NAACP, Julian Bond, a Georgian, he can stand up there and say that the Tea Party, just basic Ma and Pa, who believe in the Constitutional Republic that we live in, he’s comparing them to the Taliban, so we have to stop allowing the other side to put us in corners and make us afraid to say anything.”

“We’ve got to challenge them. It’s just the same as you don’t hear people in Washington, DC say ‘government spending,’ anymore, it’s ‘investment.’ Government doesn’t invest anything, they spend your money. So, let’s understand that words do matter, and let’s stop allowing ourselves to be pigeon-holed.”

We have more audio and will post the rest of the interview later.

Georgia Pundit - Georgia Politics, Campaigns and Elections

As Macon and Bibb County voters get ready to elect their first-ever consolidated government July 16, one expert thinks they may have to update their calendars — federal authorities could delay the elections under the Voting Rights Act.

Controversy erupted at the state capitol in February when Republicans led a push to make elections in this Democratic-leaning community nonpartisan. They also rescheduled the elections from November when turnout tends to be high, to July when it’s usually low.

Local Democrats see both as attempts by the GOP to gain ground in blue territory, and have formally complained to the Justice Department, which has until June 2 to intervene.

The feds will probably let the nonpartisan part stand, said Mercer University political scientist Chris Grant. “If you look at the slate of candidates that are running in this election, it becomes really hard to point out how this is a racial disadvantage to African Americans,” he said. Two African Americans are running for city-county mayor and many more for seats on the city-county commission.

via Big Macon-Bibb Election Two Months Away.

Georgia Pundit - Georgia Politics, Campaigns and Elections

The 2010 governor’s race was bruising as Handel criticized what she labeled “a good-old-boys club” at the state Capitol, calling for ethics reform with a speech titled “Sex, lies and lobbyists” that distanced herself from party leaders. While she received the most votes in the primary, it was not enough to avoid a runoff with Nathan Deal, who eventually beat her and won the general election.

During the race, she did not gain the support of the Georgia Right to Life group. While Handel opposes abortion, she has said she supports exceptions for rape and incest. She also disagreed with the group’s president over the issue of in-vitro fertilization. Handel has spoken publicly about her struggle to have children and wrote in her book that she and her husband had considered in-vitro but decided against it on the advice of their physician.

In the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate seat, some of the very same issues could resurface. Handel will likely seek to portray herself as someone outside of Washington politics willing to tackle tough issues. Meanwhile, Kingston has been emphasizing his conservative credentials and fiscal stewardship as a member of the House Appropriations Committee. Gingrey and Broun are also conservatives looking to connect with popular grassroots organizations around the state.

It appears Handel will not have the benefit of support from former Gov. Sonny Perdue, a mentor of hers over the years. Handel briefly served as Perdue’s deputy chief of staff before leaving the administration to run for chairman of the Fulton County Commission, a race she won. This time, Perdue has announced support for his cousin, David Perdue, the former CEO of Dollar General and Reebok and a Republican who has announced he’s formed an exploratory bid for the U.S. Senate race.

via AP News: Handel jumps into crowded US Senate race in Ga..

Georgia Pundit - Georgia Politics, Campaigns and Elections

This weekend, the Georgia GOP will elect a new chairman when Republicans hold their annual convention in Athens. The party enjoys record support across the state. But demographic changes are afoot that could also shift Georgia politics.

The new chair faces several challenges, including pressure to re-tool the Republican brand and boosting fundraising.

But Georgia’s potential shift from red to blue is the key issue.

By 2020, whites won’t be in the majority. The GOP holds all statewide offices now. But experts say Democrats are gaining support as more black, Asian and Hispanic Georgians register to vote.

via State GOP To Elect New Leader.

Georgia Pundit - Georgia Politics, Campaigns and Elections

By Pam O’Dell, Capitol Reporter

The Jekyll Island Authority has asked the Attorney General’s office to weigh in on a task force’s recommendation that marsh not be considered in determining the island’s land base. The land measurement is significant because it determines, according to state law, the amount of development that can occur on the island.

Hence, the determination on whether or not marsh is counted as land pits environmentalists and citizen activists against those who favor greater development on the island.

The naming of the “65/35 Task Force” alludes to the 1971 law which limits development to 35 percent of the island’s land area. If the amount of total land space is increased, the amount of developable land is also increased. The land count is central to the development of the island’s “Master Plan,” a process which is intended to guide the authority and the public in balancing the recreational and environmental attributes of the island while ensuring that the park be economically self-sufficient and affordable.

According to Eric Garvey, spokesman for the authority: “Because the 65/35 Task Force’s alternate method apparently conflicts with the Jekyll Island Authority’s enabling legislation, the staff has requested a legal review by the Office of the Attorney General. “Pending advice from the Attorney General, no decisions regarding the task force recommendations have been made.”

via Development on Jekyll Island hinges on defining marshes | PickensProgressOnline.com.

Georgia Pundit - Georgia Politics, Campaigns and Elections

A federal grand jury has indicted Georgia state Rep. Tyrone Brooks Sr. on 30 counts, including mail, wire and tax fraud charges.

Brooks, 67, is accused of soliciting contributions from individual and corporate donors to combat illiteracy, but then using the money to pay personal expenses for himself and his family.

Channel 2 investigative reporter Mark Winne informed Brooks of the indictment Thursday.

“I will do a news conference on the Moore’s Ford Bridge, but not today. Can’t do it today. I haven’t even talked to my lawyer yet so I don’t have any comment right now.”

When asked if he broke the law, Brooks told Winne, “Not to my knowledge. I don’t want to discuss it right now. I want to discuss it on the Moore’s Ford Bridge. That’s what this is all about.”

via Federal grand jury indicts state Rep. Tyrone Brooks | www.wsbtv.com.

Georgia Pundit - Georgia Politics, Campaigns and Elections

Gov. Nathan Deal signed an executive order Wednesday putting in place restrictions on a set of academic standards adopted by the state that have faced growing opposition in recent months by tea party and conservative groups.

Under the order, the state will be prohibited from collecting certain information on students and their families, including religious and political affiliation and voting history. The move comes just days before Republicans gather for their annual state convention in Athens, where the Common Core academic standards are expected to be a big topic of debate.

Deal, a Republican, acknowledged in his remarks that the personal information is not currently being collected, but said his order was designed to ensure no one’s rights are violated.

“Georgia has not been collecting that data, and Georgia will not collect that data. To make the above clear and unambiguous, I have signed an executive order and I will ask the legislature to embrace the content of that executive order in legislation during the next session of the General Assembly,” Deal said.

via Governor imposes restrictions on adoption of common core standards | jacksonville.com.

Georgia Pundit - Georgia Politics, Campaigns and Elections