Jones draws large crowd at Dawson County Republican Party meeting
Business, News June 30, 2021
Republican Candidate for governor Vernon Jones delivered a rousing speech to Dawson County Republicans Monday that was frequently interrupted by loud applause.
DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. – In addressing a standing-room-only crowd of Dawson County Republicans Monday, Georgia Republican Gubernatorial candidate Vernon Jones’ speech sounded like it had been written by President Donald J Trump’s speech writers. It offered plenty red meat and was interrupted frequently by loud applause.
In echoing Trump, Jones attacked the liberal media, claimed the 2020 election was stolen, and blamed Gov. Brian Kemp for bringing the Dominion voting system to Georgia, which many Republicans say switched votes in the 2020 presidential election.
Kemp drew Jones’ harshest criticism. “We lost two United States Senate seats and we lost the presidential election and the tip of that spear is Brian Kemp. He is directly responsible for that happening. He was so afraid of Stacey Abrams running against him that he caved into her.” He was referring to a last-minute agreement that has come to be known in Georgia as Stacey’s law which changed signature verification and added drop boxes just before the election.
He also blamed Kemp for not calling a special session of the Georgia General Assembly after the 2020 election to change the state’s process for selecting electors to the Electoral College. Kemp claimed he did not have the authority. Jones said, “He’s a liar, no more no less.”
About Stacey Abrams, who he referred to as the “Wicked Witch of the South and who many believe will be the Democrat nominee for governor, Jones said, “Stacey Abrams is dangerous. She is a Marxist, a socialist and a communist.”
As Trump often did, Jones also attacked the liberal media. “The Atlanta Journal Constitution has recently become the Kemp campaign manager,” he said. “They are doing everything to help him defeat me.”
He even promised to drain the swamp. “There is a swamp in Georgia,” he said.
Jones has attracted attacks by opponents for being a lifelong Democrat who only recently joined to the Republican Party.
He responded by pointing out that “Ronald Reagan was a Democrat who became a Republican, a governor and president, one of the best we’ve ever had. Sonny Perdue was a Democrat then became a Republican and governor. Nathan Deal was a Democrat who became governor. Donald J. Trump, who we all love, was a Democrat and became president.”
He said when he is elected he will be tough on crime, ban the teaching of Critical Race Theory in public schools, and make sure that every child is in a public school that starts every day by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
Taylor enters governor race, others likely to follow
News, Politics, State & National February 10, 2021
BAXLEY, Ga. – Kandiss Taylor became the first Republican to challenge Brian Kemp (R) in Georgia’s 2022 race for Governor.
Flanked by supporters, Dr. Kandiss Taylor made her announcement outside the Appling County Courthouse. Taylor was adamant that her campaign better reflects the small-town values of everyday people.
“I’m running for the people. I’m not represented, and the people aren’t represented,” said Taylor. “I think we’ve gotten to this place of RINOs, Republican in name only, and they’re not representing the people, and the people don’t even show up to vote because they think they’re all the same.”
The mother of three and longtime educator didn’t shy away from her struggles in her failed run for Senate against Kelly Loeffler last year. One of those struggles was her fundraising. According to the Federal Elections Commission, Taylor’s Senate campaign had just over $30,000 in total contributions. By comparison, Kemp enters the year with over $6 million. Nevertheless, Taylor believes the lessons she learned last year put her in a better position at a run for Governor and welcomes the challenge.
Taylor might be the first Republican to throw her hat into the 2022 gubernatorial primary, but she likely won’t be the last. Before leaving the White House, Trump was clear about his disapproval of Kemp after not calling for a special session regarding voter fraud. While it may be over a year before the election, Trump may be weighing his options on who to support in the primary. Politicos wonder if prominent Georgia Republican Doug Collins will jump into the race. He already earned Trump’s good graces, and many believe the former Ninth District Congressman isn’t finished with politics. However, Collins could choose to run against Senator Raphael Warnock (D) who’s up for election in 2022.
On the Democrat side, all eyes are on Stacey Abrams (D) as another potential contender. After her loss to Kemp in 2018, Abrams turned her focus to voter suppression. That same year Abrams started Fair Fight. The nonprofit played a heavy role in the contentious presidential and Senate races with the Fair Fight 2020 campaign. Democrats leaned on digital tactics and groups like Fair Fight’s $90 million war chest to make up the difference after the party suspended door-to-door canvassing due to the pandemic. While Abrams continues to say silent regarding her political future, Republicans aren’t taking any chances. In late January, Republican strategists launched StopStacey.org.
The Libertarian Party of Georgia isn’t staying quiet either. Outspoken podcaster Shane Hazel threw his hat into the race during a live stream on his show, “Radical with Shane Hazel.”
“Secret’s out, man. Running for governor here in Georgia,” said Hazel.
Hazel isn’t new to Georgia politics. Hazel was the third party candidate that ran against David Perdue (R) and Jon Ossoff (D) last year. Of the nearly 5 million votes between the three candidates, Hazel received 111,039, or 2.32% of the total vote.