Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections for August 29, 2023

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.

The United States Air Force Academy moved to its permanent home in Colorado Springs on August 29, 1958.

The Beatles played their final concert at San Francisco’s Candlestick Park on August 29, 1966.

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.

On August 29, 1977, Lou Brock stole his 893d base, to surpass the record set by Georgia-born Ty Cobb.

On August 29, 2008, Republican John McCain announced Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate.

“She’s not from these parts, and she’s not from Washington, but when you get to know her, you’re going to be as impressed as I am,” McCain, a 72-year-old Republican senator from Arizona, told a rally while making the announcement.

Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections

Chatham County District 2 voters are going to the polls in a Special Election, according to the Savannah Morning News.

The Chatham County Board of Registrars announced Friday that early voting for the special election for Chatham County Commission District 2 will take place between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., from Aug. 28 through Sept. 15, at the Chatham County Voter Registration Annex, 1249 Eisenhower Drive.

The new location is the one directly to the east of the Board of Registrars office at 1117 Eisenhower Drive, which has been the traditional site for early voting in past elections. This site will be the only one open for early voting leading up to the special election on Sept. 19.

“We’re going to have 30 machines for early voting. We normally have 13 over at the old space,” explained [Board of Registrars Chairman Colin ] McRae. “Also, we’re working with a new system that’s been rolled out by the [Georgia] Secretary of State that allows for quicker processing of people in line. That’s really where the backlog is created.”

McRae was optimistic turnout would be strong because of the community interest in filling the seat left vacant by the death of Larry “Gator” Rivers in April. Of District 2’s 31,296 eligible voters, more than 85% are active, meaning they have registered to vote in Georgia, have voted within the last five years, requested an absentee ballot or signed a petition.

He ballparked that upwards of 30% of voters in the district likely would participate, but it is hard to tell at this point. “I think that this is a relatively high-profile election because of how popular Mr. Rivers was, how much publicity there was about his untimely passing, and just how beloved he was in the community. And I think that will raise awareness of the vote. So, I expect there to be a pretty robust turnout percentage wise… I hope to see something on the order of 50% or more.”

Governor Brian Kemp ordered the activation of the State Operations Center in preparation for Tropical Storm Idalia. From the Press Release:

Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced that he has directed the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) to activate the State Operations Center (SOC) to monitor and prepare for any impact caused by Tropical Storm Idalia. Partners from all relevant state response agencies will closely monitor the storm as it moves toward Florida where it is expected to make landfall on Wednesday morning.

“Thanks to our response partners on both the state and local levels, Georgia will be prepared for whatever Idalia will bring,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “Rest assured, though the system will likely weaken before crossing our border, we’re not taking anything for granted. As the week progresses, I will work closely with GEMA/HS, the weather service, public safety organizations, and others to ensure we leave nothing to chance.”

Tropical Storm Idalia is currently forecast to make landfall as a Category 3 hurricane along the Florida Big Bend on Wednesday morning. Meteorologists expect it will then weaken to a Category 1 hurricane as the center moves into far southeast Georgia later on Wednesday. Tropical storm force winds will begin to move into south Georgia around mid-morning. Winds and heavy rainfall will increase throughout the morning and continue through Wednesday evening. Tropical storm force winds (40+ mph) are expected across southeastern Georgia and hurricane force wind gusts (75+ mph) will be possible in extreme southern Georgia, as well as along the entire immediate coastline late Wednesday morning through the afternoon.

Governor Kemp and GEMA/HS are closely monitoring the status and path of Tropical Storm Idalia and will provide updates when appropriate. In the interim, Georgians are encouraged to remain weather aware by keeping a close eye on weather forecasts and media reports on the storm system and to make any necessary preparations. Those who find themselves in Idalia’s eventual path can also consult this informational website provided by GEMA/HS that includes tips on storm preparedness before, during, and after a hurricane.

About the State Operations Center

The State Operations Center is a Multi-Agency Coordination Center used by state, federal, local, and volunteer agencies, as well as private sector organizations, to respond to disasters or emergencies that require a coordinated state response. It also includes the state’s 24-hour warning system.

Lowndes County is also preparing, according to the Valdosta Daily Times.

Lowndes County Emergency Management continues to monitor and prepare for Tropical Storm Idalia, according to a statement released by Lowndes County and the City of Valdosta.

According to the National Hurricane Center, Tropical Storm Idalia is forecast to strengthen into a major category 3 Hurricane with sustained winds of 115 miles per hour and maintain major strength until it makes landfall somewhere along the Gulf Coast of Florida.

Depending upon the path, Lowndes County may begin experiencing the effects of Tropical Storm Idalia as early as Tuesday night with tropical storm force winds, with the most likely arrival Wednesday morning.

Bulloch County battens down, according to the Statesboro Herald.

With Hurricane Idalia currently forecast to bring heavy rain and possibly tropical storm force winds to the Bulloch County area Wednesday, Public Safety and Emergency Management Agency Director Ted Wynn is advising residents to monitor the storm’s track and check their emergency supplies.

“As of Monday afternoon, we don’t anticipate Idalia creating major issues for us in Bulloch County,” Wynn said. “That said, hurricanes can change course and gain unexpected strength, so please follow the storm’s track closely and make sure you have supplies.”

Wynn said the Bulloch County Emergency Operations Center would open Tuesday and at that time officials would have a better idea of Idalia’s track and would firm up response plans for when the storm moves through the area.

“We anticipate some limbs and possibly trees downed due to tropical storm winds and gusts,” Wynn said. “Power outages are likely to occur. They may be brief. They may be longer. Rain may be heavier in some areas, so if you don’t need to be on the roads, please shelter in place.”

Georgia Insurance Commissioner John King suggests inventorying your home ahead of expected storms, according to WTOC.

John King is the commissioner and says now is the time to take inventory of your property in case you have to report any damage.

• Know your insurance policy ahead of the storm.
• Take lots of photos and make a list.
• You want to make sure you can prove you had these items before the storm.
• King says it is not a bad idea to reach out to your insurance agent now ahead of the storm to go over your policy and what is or is not covered.

Stay connected with them so if you do have to file a claim you’re familiar with your agent.

“The before and after pictures are incredibly important. Any receipts. Don’t do any major construction or repairs, do just enough repairs to prevent any further damage but don’t get into any major repairs until you have talked to your agent,” John King said.

From WTOC:

“They should be preparing their homes, picking up lawn furniture, umbrellas, and whatnot, securing their homes, being ready to hunker down. This is a non-evacuation event for us. Therefore, people should be ready to ride it out and maybe be without power for a couple days after,” said [Savannah emergency management director] David Donnelly.

Georgia State Elections Board Chair William Duffey resigned, according to the AJC.

Duffey wrote in his resignation letter to Kemp that it was time for new leadership in preparation for next year’s elections.

“Now that a new board structure is in place, it is important to name the next chair in sufficient time for that person to continue to prepare for the 2024 election cycle,” Duffey wrote to Kemp in a letter dated July 18. “… It has been an honor to work to preserve the integrity and fairness of the state’s election process.”

Kemp, who appointed Duffey in June 2022, thanked him for his public service following his career as a federal judge and U.S. attorney. Duffey’s resignation will take effect Friday.

“William Duffey was tasked with overseeing the board’s vital operations to help ensure secure and fair access to the ballot box in our state,” Kemp said. “I appreciate his willingness to serve over the past year in that role as we went through another election cycle and wish him and Betsy well in the years ahead.”

Kemp announced Duffey’s resignation after a State Election Board meeting earlier this month where he faced criticism from conservatives who attacked his prayer — which recognized Christian, Jewish and Muslim beliefs in God — at the beginning of the meeting.

Mobilize Recovery will roll into Brunswick, according to The Brunswick News.

The Mobilize Recovery Across Georgia tour stop will be from 2 to 5 p.m. at Mary Ross Waterfront in downtown Brunswick. The event will include live music, speakers, Narcan training and food provided by the Porch food truck.

September is National Recovery Month, and this first-of-its-kind bus tour will make 48 stops across Georgia, said Heather Woodard, executive director of New Roots Glynn, a recovery community organization.

The tour is sponsored by the Clinton Foundation, the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, the Georgia Council for Recovery and Mobilize Recovery.

More than 800,000 Georgians are living in long-term recovery from a substance use disorder, according to information provided by the Mobilize Recovery Across Georgia tour. Drug overdose deaths in the state of Georgia increased by 55.9% from 2019 to 2021.

The tour will kick off in Atlanta before coming down first to Savannah and then Brunswick. It will wind its way through Georgia throughout the month.

Augusta Commissioners may consider a new panhandling ordinance, according to WJBF.

“We want to help the ones who want to be helped, but the ones who are here just to make money…they need to move on, I think. This puts some teeth in it for law enforcement to kind of help us with that,” said Commissioner Sean Frantom.

Commissioner Sean Frantom is pushing for Augusta Commissioners to discuss creating an aggressive panhandling ordinance.

“It wouldn’t be allowed any more at major intersections on public right-of-ways, you can’t be there. We’ve had people hit by cars, we’ve had wrecks from people coming out to get money,” said Commissioner Frantom.

Banning panhandling is not a new issue. Two years ago, Augusta was warned it was unconstitutional, but Frantom points to Columbia County which has an ordinance in place.

“Obviously, with our neighboring county implementing this I don’t understand why Richmond County couldn’t implement this as well,” said Frantom.

“I will never, and I mean never, support an ordinance that criminalizes poverty,” said [Commissioner Jordan] Johnson.

Bleckley County interim Sheriff Daniel Cape announced he will run for the remainder of the term of his predecessor, according to 13WMAZ.

“I am excited to announce that I am seeking to retain the Office of Sheriff in the upcoming November special election.  I am starting my campaign by reaching out to friends, support groups, and community leaders to ask for your continued endorsement and support,” Cape says via the release.

The release says Cape has been in law enforcement for 22 years.

“I want to do everything within my capabilities to continue to make our community a quality and safe place to live, work and raise our families,” Cape says in the release.

The special election will be held on Nov. 7.

This comes after former Bleckley County Sheriff Kris Coody pleaded guilty to groping TV Judge Glenda Hatchett at a hotel bar in Cobb County.

Coody wrote a resignation letter to the governor and Cape took over as the interim sheriff shortly after Coody’s resignation was announced.

Three candidates qualified for Mayor of Tybee Island, and a City Council seat is also up for grabs, according to the Savannah Morning News.

Julia Pearce is the first Black person and second woman to run for mayor of Tybee Island.

Mack Kitchens is a local kiteboarder and general contractor running for mayor. This is his third time running for local office, with a previous run for mayor in 2019 and a run for city council in 2021.

Brian West is currently a member of the Tybee City Council, a lifelong resident of Savannah and a 13-year resident of Tybee. He was a newcomer to the Tybee City Council in 2019 and now hopes to maintain his seat to continue working with and addressing the concerns of Tybee residents.

There will be a special election to fill Brian West’s [City Council] seat, as he has relinquished his council seat to run for mayor.

Pooler will elect a Mayor and City Council members, according to the Savannah Morning News.

More than twenty candidates qualified for nine Council seats and Mayor of Savannah, according to the Savannah Morning News.

The municipal election will be held Nov. 7. The election is nonpartisan, meaning there is no primary.

Valdosta City Council voted to adopt the full rollback millage rate, according to the Valdosta Daily Times.

City officials recently set the Fiscal Year 2023 millage rate for Valdosta residents at the rollback rate of 6.947 mills at the Aug. 24 Valdosta City Council meeting.

“The previous millage rate for FY22 was 7.796,” city officials said in a statement.

“The City of Valdosta has a history of maintaining a conservative millage rate. The new millage rate will fund the FY 2023 General Fund Budget that the mayor and council adopted in June.”

Dougherty County Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt a millage rate, according to WALB.

The Dougherty County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt proposed property tax increases for the County-Wide and Special Services digests during a special meeting on Monday. The millage rates in both will remain the same as in 2022.

$11 million worth of properties were revalued in the county. The increase will only impact families whose property values are rising.

There is a property tax increase of 0.57% for the county-wide digest and an increase of 0.17% for the Special District Digest. The millage rates will not change. The county-wide millage rate is 19.069 and in special services millage rate is 9.1730.

“By keeping the millage rate the same as it was in 2022, the County benefits from the growth of the tax base while Dougherty County taxpayers will see either no increase to a minimal increase from improved 2023 valuations on property,” said Barry Brooks, interim Dougherty County administrator.

Justin Kelley accused Rome Mayor Sundai Stevenson of not living in the city limits, according to the Rome News Tribune.

In addressing the Rome City Commission during their Monday meeting, Justin Kelley cited the fact that Stevenson held a notary license in Gordon County during her tenure as a Rome commissioner.

He stated that Stevenson had signed legal documents swearing that she was a resident of Gordon County from 2013 until 2018 when she resigned from that post. She has been a city commissioner since 2015.

Kelley, who co-hosts a local conservative political podcast, stated that any reasonable person would conclude that Stevenson perjured herself in Gordon County or that the mayor perjured herself in Rome. He then demanded that Stevenson resign from her role as mayor and as a Rome City Commissioner.

“If the mayor refuses to do what’s right, it’s up to you,” he said, stating they could remove her from her post. None of the city commissioners replied, other than Stevenson, who said “thank you.”