Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections for August 28, 2015

General Robert E. Lee’s Confederates met General John Pope’s federal forces at the Second Battle of Manassas on August 29, 1862.

Union General William T. Sherman’s forces tore up 12 miles of railroad between Red Oak and Fairburn on August 29, 1864.

August 28, 1929 saw Governor Lamartine Hardman sign a Constitutional Amendment authorizing the levy of a state income tax.

On August 28, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered the “I Have a Dream Speech” on the Mall in Washington, DC.

If you’re interested in the structure of speeches, Nancy Duarte has done an excellent analysis of the speech, which you can watch here:

On August 29, 1971, Hank Aaron broke the National League record for most seasons with 100 or more RBI, as he drove in his 100th run to make 11 seasons hitting that mark.

An obscure college professor named Newt Gingrich began his political career on August 28, 1976, as he kicked off his first campaign against Congressman Jack Flynt.

On August 28, 2008, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools revoked the accreditation of the Clayton County Public Schools. Later that day, Governor Sonny Perdue removed four members of the Clayton County Board of Education upon the recommendation of an administrative law judge.

Georgia Politics

Senator Josh McKoon (R-Columbus) opened a new front in the culture war that is Religious Freedom.

If there’s any question of Donald Trump’s appeal in the South, take a look at this quick video of the line to get into his speech yesterday in Greenville, SC.

And this happened:

The November 2015 election cycle kicks off properly as qualifying for many city council and mayoral seats opens Monday.

Qualifying opens Monday for three Milton City Council seats, and Mayor of Alpharetta and three Alpharetta City Council seats.

In Roswell, qualifying opens for three City Council seats, including the one formerly held by State Rep. Betty Price, as well as for Municipal Court Judge.

Austell will elect a Mayor and three members of City Council.

The State Charter School Commission yesterday approved a charter for Brookhaven Innovation Academy.

BIA Chair Bates Mattison said the board will meet on September 3rd to continue to working on finding a location for the school and hiring administrative Staff.

BIA says they will offer students an innovative curriculum combining Blended Learning & STEM focused Project Based Learning with computer coding integrated as a component of the core program.

New Georgia Republican Party Foundation Chair Jack Kingston appears to be getting off to a good start with two major events on the calendar.

Cocktail Reception in Support of the Georgia Republican Party with Special Guest Rep. Lynn Westmoreland
Tuesday, September 1st at 6:30 PM
The Peachtree Club 999 Peachtree St. NE #2800, Atlanta, GA 30309
Sponsorship Levels: Gold: $20,000 Silver: $10,000 Bronze: $5,000

Fall Banquet in Support of the Georgia Republican Party with Special Guest Frank Luntz
Monday, October 5th at 6:00 PM
The Hyatt Atlanta/Buckhead 3242 Peachtree St. NE Atlanta, GA 30305
Details: Sponsorship Levels: Gold: $20,000 Silver: $10,000 Bronze: $5,000

Click here for more information on these events.

Attorney Kevin Gooch will replace the controversial Vaughn Irons as Chairman of the DeKalb Development Authority. Other new Board members include Don Bolia of Brookhaven, and Baoky Vu, who also serves on the board of the Technical College System of Georgia.

Jeremy Collins has left the office of Senate President Pro Tem David Shafer and joins Holland & Knight’s lobbying practice. Collins previously served as political director for Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal’s 2010 campaign and as Deal’s liaison to the state Senate. Taking his place in the Pro Tem’s office will be Jay Florence, who moves over from serving as Assistant Commissioner of Insurance under Commissioner Ralph Hudgens, whose 2014 campaign he ran.