Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections for April 25, 2022

James Oglethorpe won reelection to the British Parliament while in America on April 25, 1734.

The United States declared war on Spain on April 25, 1898.

On April 25, 1996, Georgia Governor Zell Miller signed Senate Bill 519 designating English the official language of Georgia.

Click here for the text of the bill.

Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections

Today is the last day to register to vote for the May 24 Primary Elections. From 13WMAZ:

Anyone who has not registered can do so online through the secretary of state’s office if they have a valid Georgia driver’s license or state-issued identification card.

People can check to see if they are registered or can update their address or other information by going to the state’s My Voter Page.

Monday is also the first day that counties can send out absentee ballots by mail. To obtain an absentee ballot, a voter must send in a form with their information requesting a ballot. The deadline to request that an absentee ballot be mailed to a voter is May 13.

Early in-person voting begins May 2.

Governor Brian Kemp and his erstwhile challenger, former United States Senator David Perdue, met in a televised debate. From the Capitol Beat News Service via the Albany Herald:

Gov. Brian Kemp defended his record of the last four years Sunday night against withering attacks from former U.S. Sen. David Perdue in the first televised debate of this year’s Republican gubernatorial campaign.

After responding that he followed the law and the U.S. Constitution following the election, Kemp chastised Perdue for focusing so much attention on the last election cycle. Instead, the governor cited his accomplishments in going after criminals, creating jobs and reopening Georgia’s economy during the pandemic earlier than other states.

“That is a record that will beat [presumptive Democratic gubernatorial nominee] Stacey Abrams, not looking in the rear-view mirror,” Kemp said.

“We’re bringing in 7,500 great-paying jobs to rural parts of our state,” Kemp said. “He’s spent his whole business career outsourcing jobs to China.”

Kemp and Perdue will meet twice more on the airwaves before the May 24 primary, later this week in Savannah and Sunday night on Georgia Public Television.

From 13WMAZ:

“You have a candidate that is going to attack my record, unfortunately, all night tonight, because they didn’t have a record there to beat Jon Ossoff in 2020,” Kemp said.

The incumbent sought to highlight his record, including raising teacher and employee pay, cutting taxes and quickly lifting restrictions after Georgia’s brief COVID-19 lockdown. Kemp said that’s a better way to defeat Democrat Stacey Abrams than endless litigation of past elections.

“That is a record that will beat Stacey Abrams in November, not looking in the rearview mirror,” Kemp said.

From the AJC:

Behind in the polls and lagging in fundraising, Perdue has little to lose by throwing everything he can at Kemp.

Savannah had two shootings in downtown yesterday, according to the Savannah Morning News.

Sunday’s shootings were the second and third incidents to take place in Savannah over the weekend.

Late Friday night, two people were shot on the campus of Savannah State University. The two victims were sent to the hospital and their conditions are unknown at this time. The case has been handed over to the Georgia Bureau of Investigations.

Hall County Superintendent Will Schofield isn’t interested in becoming the “book police,” according to the Gainesville Times.

“This school district will continue to be extremely deliberate about which materials to ‘ban’ while still respecting every parents’ individual right to choose for their children.”

Hall County Schools will not become “the book police,” he said in an interview with The Times.

“There is a standard of decency which we would like to certainly uphold, particularly for anything that is required of a student,” he said. “But at the end of the day, with 300,000-plus pieces of media in our district, for someone to suggest that it’s time to start becoming the book police, that just feels like a mighty dangerous precedent to me.”

“I think the history of banning materials in a country that prides itself on a constitution that has a First Amendment … has not worked out well in the past.”

He mentioned “a book called the Bible.” He noted that it contains rape and sodomy and incest, but it is nevertheless “a great piece of literature.”

“The Bible has some pretty powerful points to make, but it is graphic,” he said.

“At the end of the day, we continue to believe parents ought to have the opportunity to decide what they want their children exposed to when it comes to those topics, and I hold that as sacred,” he said. “But I don’t think you ought to be able to come up and say, ‘Well, I don’t want any other kids doing it either.’”

U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Extreme Northwest Georgia) testified in a lawsuit challenging her qualification, according to the Associated Press via AccessWDUN.

U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene was engaged in “legitimate political speech” when she called for a response to Joe Biden’s presidential victory prior to last year’s Capitol attack, her lawyer argued Friday during a hearing over her right to run for reelection.

Greene, who testified during Friday’s hearing, is set to appear on the Republican ballot for Georgia’s May 24 primary and has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump. The administrative law judge overseeing the hearing is not the ultimate decider of Greene’s candidacy since he must present his findings to Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who then must determine whether Greene is qualified.

Greene asserted that she does not support violence and was encouraging peaceful protest.

James Bopp, a lawyer for Greene, said his client “did not engage in the attack on the Capitol,” and the challengers are making a very serious charge with significant ramifications.

“They want to deny the right to vote to the thousands of people living in the 14th District of Georgia by removing Greene from the ballot,” he said.

In a statement Thursday, Trump incorrectly blamed Raffensperger and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, both Republicans, for allowing the challenge against Greene, saying she is “going through hell in their attempt to unseat her.”

In fact, the challenge to Greene’s eligibility to run for reelection was filed by five voters who live in her district, and the procedure for such a challenge is outlined in Georgia law.

From the Georgia Recorder:

The attorneys sought to use Greene’s past interviews and social media posts as ammunition against her, including a speech in which she suggested House Speaker Nancy Pelosi could be executed for treason posted before Greene’s election.

Greene’s attorneys dismissed such statements as political hyperbole protected by the First Amendment and said they should not be considered as evidence in any case because they were made before she was sworn into office Jan. 3, 2021. The provision in the 14th Amendment Greene is being targeted with applies to people who have sworn an oath to defend the constitution before participating in an insurrection, which would mean prosecutors would have to show she participated in the insurrection between Jan. 3 and Jan. 6 of that year.

They pointed to a Jan. 5 interview in which Greene predicted a “1776 moment” the following day.

Attorney Andrew Celli sought to convince the judge that, because 1776 was the year the Declaration of Independence was signed, a pivotal step in the split from England, far-right activists use the number to refer to violent action against governments they also view as tyrannical like that of President Joe Biden.

Greene said she was referring to plans to object to the vote counts that showed Biden winning the presidency.

“The last thing you say in the video is, ‘we aren’t a people that are going to go quietly into the night,’ do you recall that part? That phrase, ‘we aren’t a people that are going to go quietly into the night,’ that’s not something that you came up with on your own, is it?” Celli asked.

“I have no idea what you mean,” Greene said.

“Well, that’s something that you borrowed from a movie script, right?” asked Celli.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Greene said.

“You borrow that line from the movie Independence Day, right?” Celli asked to a smattering of laughter from the audience.

“No,” Greene said.

Celli played a clip from the movie in which the American president, played by Bill Pullman, delivers a speech rallying the troops to fight off an alien invasion.

Greene appeared bemused by the suggestion she had included such a coded message.

“I don’t view courtrooms and politics as Hollywood like you do,” she said. “That is not the first person, I’m sure, that said that, and won’t be the last, and I don’t recall being any inspiration from this Hollywood movie like you’re suggesting.”

Dylan Thomas. That’s who you’re thinking of, who wrote the poem “Do not go gentle into that good night.”

Governor Kemp’s Executive Action on the medical cannabis program could , according to the Capitol Beat News Service via the Gwinnett Daily Post.

Gov. Brian Kemp announced last Tuesday that he was appointing Sid Johnson, a former commissioner at the Georgia Department of Administrative Services (DOAS), board chairman of the state commission that oversees the program. In addition, Kemp directed $150,000 from the Governor’s Emergency Fund to expedite the hearing of legal protests filed by companies whose applications for licenses to produce cannabis oil were rejected.

Kemp’s initiative came after the state Senate tabled a House bill aimed at restarting the cannabis oil program on the final night of this year’s legislative session.

“I think this is a start,” said Georgia Sen. Ben Watson, R-Savannah, who carried the measure in the Senate. “He’s heading in the right direction.”

Lawmakers passed a bill in 2015 legalizing possession of low-THC cannabis oil. But the law didn’t provide a legal means of obtaining the drug, forcing adult patients and parents of children with seizure disorders and other maladies to go out of state for the product or buy it illegally in Georgia.

The General Assembly sought to resolve that issue in 2019, passing a bill that legalized growing marijuana in Georgia under close supervision and converting the leafy crop into low-THC cannabis oil. The law put in place a licensing process for companies interested in taking part in the program and created the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission to oversee it.

The commission issued a request for proposals a year later and received 69 applications for the six licenses the legislation authorized.

Following a lengthy review, the commission issued tentative licenses to six winning companies last summer. That’s when a program already plagued by fits and starts bogged down completely.

“It was terrible,” said Rep. Alan Powell, R-Hartwell, chairman of the House Regulated Industries Committee, who has played a leading role in trying to straighten out the program. “Some of the [winning] companies shouldn’t have been eligible.”

Governor Kemp will be endorsed for reeleciton by the National Rifle Association, according to the AJC.

State Rep. Winfred Dukes, D-Albany won a challenge to his qualifying to run for Commissioner of Agriculture, according to the Albany Herald.

“This is a great day for Georgia and for Georgians who seek to serve the people in elective office,” Dukes said in response to the ruling in his favor. “I believe the court has sent a clear message that candidates do not decide who can or cannot run for office in this state.”

Pertaining to the order issued April 21, the decision by Administrative Law Judge Stephanie M. Howells states that, based upon the findings of facts and conclusions of law in this case, Dukes is qualified to be a candidate for Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture, and his name will remain on the ballot.

“I more than meet all the qualifications for this office,” Dukes said. “I am moving forward with a dynamic campaign team, great endorsements and strong community support. We look forward to serving the people of Georgia.

The AJC covers Rep. Duke and the other Democrats running for Ag Commissioner.

Georgia’s commissioner of agriculture oversees a department with numerous responsibilities. They incude enforcing food safety regulations, marketing Georgia crops, and verifying the quality and quantity of motor fuels sold at pumps.

State Rep. Winfred Dukes, D-Albany, owns a construction company and serves on the House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee. He wants to encourage supermarkets to locate in neighborhoods where residents lack easy access to healthy food. He also wants to develop community food gardens, diversify crop production and encourage sustainable farming practices.

Nakita Hemingway is a Dacula cut-flower farmer and real estate agent. Two years ago, she ran for state House District 104 and narrowly lost. Her priorities include addressing childhood hunger, expanding efforts to encourage Georgians to buy local food, legalizing cannabis (which would require legislative approval), and creating a program to educate children about food, nutrition and farming.

Fred Swann of Gainesville is a former software developer who started a mushroom farming business in the fall. He ran unsuccessfully for agriculture commissioner four years ago. Swann wants to promote small farms (especially Black-owned farms), end food insecurity, legalize marijuana, protect agriculture workers, encourage sustainable farming and enhance animal welfare.

“As an indoor mushroom farmer, I work in two sectors of the agricultural industry that are rapidly expanding — vertical farming and mushroom cultivation,” he said. “We will need someone who knows how to harness the power of these two emerging sectors to help combat climate change and enhance Georgia’s ability to compete in a 21st century agricultural economy.”

The NAACP hosted a voter forum in Savannah, according to WTOC.

Members from Chatham County’s Board of Registrars were on hand to answer member questions about the registration process and drop box locations.

“There’s a short turn around for an individual to request an absentee ballot and to receive it. It used to be 180 days but now it’s only a 78-day process with absentee ballots going out on the 25th which is tomorrow so we wanted to make sure we got all the information out front,” Sabrina German, Director, Chatham County Voter Registration Office said.

Candidates for the Fourteenth Congressional District will meet in a forum in Floyd County, according to the Rome News Tribune.

The venue, at 601 Broad St., is several blocks down from the originally announced location, but cosponsors One Community United, the Rome-Floyd chapter of the NAACP and the Floyd County Democratic Party want to accomodate a larger crowd.

Democrats will decide among Wendy Davis, Marcus Flowers and Holly McCormack. Libertarian candidate Angela Pence also has said she’ll be there.

The groups are also hosting a second forum there, at 6 p.m. Tuesday, for the state Senate 52 and House 13 primaries.

Senate District 52 is a likely runoff. Invited candidates are Republicans Chuck Hufstetler, the incumbent; Derek Keeney; and Jeff Lewis.

House District 13 is also a potential runoff. Republicans Brad Barnes; incumbent Katie Dempsey; and Luke Martin have been invited.

Candidates for Chairman of the Savannah Chatham County Board of Education met in a forum, according to WTOC.

Tye Whitley, Todd Rhodes, and Roger Moss are running for that spot and spoke out about their plans for the district.

Among the issues the need for greater staff salaries and mental health services.

During the forum, the three candidates for president of the school board were also asked about their thoughts on the policy of book selection in the school and how they would address parents that have concerns about the material in the school libraries and classrooms.

Former State Senator Floyd Griffin is campaigning for the Democratic nomination for Secretary of State, according to WTVM.

Griffin, a former Georgia state senator, is one of six Democrats running against four Republicans which includes incumbent Brad Raffensperger.

According to his campaign, Griffin will visit the following cities:

Americus – April 28, The Train Depot – 329 S. Jackson Street, 4 p.m.
Cuthbert – April 28, 51 E. Dawson Street – 6 p.m.
Buena Vista, April 29, City Square – 4th Avenue – 9:30 a.m.

Currey Hitchens is running for the Democratic nomination for State School Superintendent, according to the Dalton Daily Citizen News.

Hitchens met Thursday night with members of the public at Dalton Brewing Co. Hitchens is seeking the Democratic nomination for state school superintendent in the May 24 general election primary. She faces Cobb County school board member Jaha Howard, Clayton County teacher James Morrow and former state House of Representatives member Alisha Thomas Searcy.

“This year, there were some bills passed that I thought were harmful to students, and I know other student advocates who share those concerns,” she said.

She mentioned House Bill 1084 which has been dubbed the “divisive concepts” law because a section prohibits the teaching of nine concepts designated as divisive: “one race is inherently superior to another race; the United States of America is fundamentally racist; an individual, by virtue of his or her race, is inherently or consciously racist or oppressive toward individuals of other races; an individual should be discriminated against or receive adverse treatment solely or partly because of his or her race; an individual’s moral character is inherently determined by his or her race; an individual, solely by virtue of his or her race, bears individual responsibility for actions committed in the past by other individuals of the same race; an individual, solely by virtue of his or her race, should feel anguish, guilt or any other form of psychological distress; performance-based advancement or the recognition and appreciation of character traits such as a hard work ethic are racist or have been advocated for by individuals of a particular race to oppress individuals of another race; and any other form of race scapegoating or race stereotyping.”

“That’s bad for teachers and students,” Hitchens said. “You are not getting a good education, and you are not learning about everything you need to learn. You are not learning how to discuss difficult topics with one another in a civil manner.”

Bentley Hudgins is running as a Democrat in House District 90 and would be the state’s first non-binary legislator, according to the Macon Telegraph.

The 28-year-old Mercer University graduate — who is running as a Democrat in Georgia House District 90, covering eastern Atlanta and southern DeKalb County— would be Georgia’s first openly nonbinary state lawmaker and its first state legislator of Japanese American descent.

If elected, they could be the Deep South’s first non-binary, Japanese American state representative.

They come into the May primary with several key endorsements, including a nod from Fair Fight PAC, a political organization founded by Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams. A May primary victory for Hudgins means that they’ll likely represent the heavily blue district in the Georgia General Assembly.

The seat was held by Abrams and current Secretary of State candidate Bee Nguyen. In an interview with the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer and the Macon Telegraph, Hudgins said they plan to use their experience as a voting rights advocate and grassroots organizer to enact change at a time when “we are in the fight of our lives to save American democracy,” they said.

“My dream is for the people that I care about to have real power. That’s it,” Hudgins said. “I’m running because I really do care about my neighbors, and I want them to have a better life. Sometimes, the moment calls you.”

Under the stage name Shi, Hudgins performs drag routines, and they created an all-Asian cast show after seeing a lack of Asian representation in Atlanta’s drag scene.

Hudgins has used their drag performance background for political organizing. They participated in a campaign with the New Georgia Project and Drag Out The Vote, a nonprofit organization that works with drag performers to promote participation in democracy.

In several ways, performing in drag and campaigning aren’t that different, Hudgins said.

“Drag is inherently valuable and meaningful, and it is a way for queer people to produce art and express themselves and build community,” they said. “I found it to be an incredibly powerful organizing tool to provide space for healing and to raise resources for our community.”

Chatham County Commissioners tabled for the third time a proposal to tax residents of unincorporated areas for fire service, according to WTOC.

While the Chatham County Commission tabled the vote, Chairman Chester Ellis said that it will be a fire protection fee and not a tax. It’ll be calculated depending on the size of your land and what’s on it.

Chairman Ellis says they tabled the vote so they can announce more detailed plans to the public and then get feedback in community meetings.

Commissioners spent the last two weeks discussing how to make sure everyone is paying the fee for fire protection at a fair price, since Chatham Emergency Services, a privately owned company, came up $3 million short last year.

The Bibb County Board of Education announced a sole finalist for Superintendent, according to the Macon Telegraph.

Hall County will end their COVID-19 rental assistance program, according to the Gainesville Times.

As of April 14, the county has given out about $12.4 million in rental and utility assistance to more than 3,000 applicants who were affected financially by the pandemic, according to the latest data from Hall County. The county applied for additional money for the program last December and extended into 2022. The program launched on April 6, 2021 with funding from the American Rescue Plan Act.

Applicants in need of rental or utility assistance will now be directed to the State of Georgia’s rental assistance program to ensure they can still receive assistance if needed.

The county has received a total of about $16.6 million since the program started about a year ago. The portal will close sometime in May depending on how many new applications the county receives, said Katie Crumley, a county spokesperson. The money will be distributed likely up until early June.

Henry County expects to collect some $155 million dollars over five years in T-SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax for Transportation) revenues, according to the AJC.

Residents of the south metro Atlanta community approved last year adding a penny to their sales tax to raise funds for roads and infrastructure improvements. The transportation tax will be collected for five years.

The overall funding — $245 million — will be shared with Stockbridge, McDonough, Locust Grove and Hampton, Henry’s four cities. Henry will get $155 million and the remainder will go to the cities.

Milledgeville District 3 Council Member Richard “Boo” Mullins Jr. died Saturday, according to 13WMAZ.

“His passion for serving others and working to improve the quality of life for all citizens will not be forgotten. Mr. Mullins never failed to ask a question and always looked for the answers his citizens and the workers for the City of Milledgeville demanded. Our deepest condolences go to Mr. Mullins’ family and all those he touched throughout his life. We will miss his sharp wit and dedication to his role. And we will never forget his contributions in working to make Milledgeville the best it can be.” [said a statement from the City].