Gulf War Veteran & Peach Co Commissioner Mike Dinkins Endorses Tom Coogle for August 21 Runoff for HD 139

HD 139 Candidate  & current Peach County Commissioner Michael Dinkins (D-Fort Valley) has endorsed Businessman Tom Coogle (D-Montezuma) for the August 21 Runoff Election to be held next Tuesday. Dinkins, a graduate of Fort Valley State University, veteran of the Persian Gulf War & current Commissioner for Peach County who carried the city of Fort Valley with over 55% of the vote threw his support behind Coogle after his unsuccessful bid for HD 139 seat which covers Peach, Macon, Dooly & Taylor County.

Dinkins in a statement (which you can also see on Coogle's Campaign Mailer) said: "I am formally endorsing Tom Coogle as the best candidate for State House District 139. Tom has the right path to help our district and our state. He will help to bring jobs and serve all the citizens in our district. So join me in voting for my friend Tom Coogle on Tuesday August 21".

Coogle who hails from one of the poorest counties in the state, (Macon) is what you consider a 'Rare" Breed in today's politics, a rural white, christian democrat who's socially & fiscally conservative who's managed to build a solid coalition of Black & White Voters in his first bid for public office. Gerrymandering has basically wiped out the majority of Georgia's Rural White Democrats; (Only Debbie Buckner, Rick Crawford & Barbara Massey-Reece remain as the last rural white democrats in the Georgia State House of Representatives)  The runoff election is next tuesday!

Race Card now being Used in HD 139 Race

On August 21, voters will go back to the polls to elect a new representative for HD 139. Thomas Coogle & Patty Bentley will meet in a runoff to determine who will succeed Lynmore James who retired after this year's legislative session.

But as expected. the use of the Race card is now being thrown around in attempts to keep HD 139 "BLACK" or in Black Control.

My high ranking sources down in Vienna & elsewhere have been emailing me, as well as texting me that retiring State Representative Lynmore James, along with his Bentley this week alone has been making the rounds in the swing county (in which Coogle got 47.9% of the vote, while Bentley got 34%) telling voters & county/city officials that the district needs to be, it has to be represented by a Black, not a white & that folks in Atlanta are used to seeing a black face representing HD 139 (formerly HD 135). In other word..LET'S KEEP HD 139 BLACK

Now, the district has a 57% Black Population, 62% minority population with hispanics included.

Let me cut this short because I have to get back to work, but if this is what's going on, then it shows (1) How desperate candidate Bentley & James are becoming & (2) Her message isn't resonating with voters of HD 139.

When things get tough for a liberal, always use the RACE CARD. It never....well  most of the time it always fail! If a white candidate were to do the same thing toward a black candidate, boy I swear he or she would be called a Bigot!

Coogle has gotten the support of Peach County Commissioner & former Gulf War Veteran Michael Dinkins who came in third during the primary, but overwhelmingly carried Peach County with close to 60% of the vote

HD 139 Candidate Tom Coogle Only Democrat to receive the endorsement of the NRA

Yesterday the National Rifle Association released its endorsement list & on it, only one democrat Tom Coogle managed to receive a endorsement from the Pro-Gun Organization.

Coogle, a Conservative Democrat & Businessman out of Macon Countyis locked in battle for HD 139 seat against two other opponents, liberals Michael Dinkins & Patty Bentley.

Its surprising that only one democrat managed to receive a endorsement from the powerful gun lobby, who back in 2008 supported thousands of legislative candidates which they achieved a 84% success rate in those elections.

Macon County: It's Time To Rise Up!

Its Time To Rise Up Macon County. Enough of the talk about Im tired  of this, Im tired of that, we need change, there aren't any jobs here, our school system are underperforming, our young people are moving away, we're losing population, our healthcare is the worst in the state, our poverty level is the top 3 worst in the state, Enough! Enough! Enough!

We as a county have a prime opportunity to send a strong message that yes our vote counts & it will be heard. We need Hope, We need  fresh blood, we need new blood in the state legislature, we need J.O.B.S.! J.O.B.S.!! J.O.B.S.!!!

This election is all about Jobs & that's it! Education matters, Values Matter, Ag Issues Matter, but JOBS is issue #1.

All I can say is if you're unhappy with the current elected officials, then vote them out! If you're happy with them, vote them back it, but one race Im sure certain of is that now is not the time to screw this election up. We need a experienced Business person who can help attract industry to this down & out area. We need someone who appeal across racial & party lines, we need a coalition builder.

Drive thru downtown Montezuma & what do you see....NOTHING! Drive out to the Industrial Park & what do you see...NOTHING! Drive Throughout the county & what do you see...NOTHING! NOTHING!! NOTHING!!! Our young people are just wondering aimlessly around our citizens with nothing to do during the summer months,al facilities are crumbling, some parents seem not to give a damn what their children are doing. This has to change! Its got to change or it will be too late!

Its Do or Die for Macon County in this election. Its NOW OR NEVER for the 3rd pooerst county in Georgia. If you want change, vote for Tom Coogle, if you want a want a citizen, not a establishment favorite, vote for Tom Coogle, if you want a businessperson, not a politician, vote for Tom Coogle, if you want a workhorse, not a showhorse, vote for Tom Coogle, if you're tired of seeing our county continue to crumble with no hope in sight for our children & grandchildren, join me & elect Tom Coogle, Democrat out of Montezuma.

Let's Go To Work!!!!

8 Georgia Democrats to Watch during Primaries/General Election

(1) Nelva Lee (D-McDonough)

The Democrats couldn't have asked for a more stellar candidate in Dr. Nelva Lee as she attempt to unseat Republican Rick Jeffares for State Senate District Seat 17.

Dr. Nelva Lee is the President and Founder of the MiTio Institute and the MiTio Foundation. The MiTio Institute is an Online Medical Interpreting and Translating Diploma Training Program & comes for a strong military family, her mother served in the U.S. Army & husband is a Gulf War Veteran.

Lee, a Conservative Democrat represent the Hispanic, military, black, Christian, and female voter having lived in places from Hawaii to Seattle, now settling just outside the Metro Atlanta Area. Her background and experience in small business, healthcare, and education are top priorities for SD 17 constituents. She is a top tier candidate for the DPG. I will definitely keep my eye on this race!

(2) Kevin Brown (D-Buena Vista)

Marion County Commisisoner Kevin Brown will take on party switcher Mike Cheokas (R-Americus) for HD 139. Brown, 43 is a Bluedog Democrat hails from the same hometown as former Negro League great Josh Gibson who was called the Black Babe Ruth. Brown is a executive director & is a father of 6. Family Values is a big deal to Mr. Brown.

(3) Thomas Coogle II (D-Montezuma)

Businessman/Grocer Thomas Coogle is also a political newcomer, running for the seat being vacated by the retirement of Lynmore James. Coogle, 34 is a Pro-Business, Pro-Growth, Chamber of Commerce Conservative Democrat who championed Christian Values, Job Creation, Right to Bear Arms, protecting our senior citizens & creating a better environment for young people Coogle hails from Macon County & if victorious in July, it could send a message that Conservative Democrats aren't dead just yet!

(4) Darrell Black (D-Milledgeville)

Businessowner Darrell Black is back, this time running for Senate District 25 against Johnny Grant who has two republicans challenging him in the republican primary. Black ran in the special election back in  2007 but lost out to Rusty Kidd (I). Black is a moderate democrat who wants to improve the jib situation of SD 25.

(5) Dar'Shun Kendrick (D-Lithonia)

Incumbent Buisnessowner Dar'Shun Kendrick is beat back two democratic challengers for her HD 93 seat. Kendrick, a one term representative is one of the youngest members of the legislature. She is a former congressional intern, served as youth coordinator for the YDG & she was selected as one of Peanut Politics Hottest Democratic Women of Georgia. She owns her own business, Kendrick Law Practice & her constituent services are top notch. Send her back to the State House to continue fighting for bluecollar families in her district.

(6) Gene Mitchell (D-Douglas)

Mitchell is running for open State Senate seat left by Greg Goggins who retired before the end of the session. In 2004, according to his FB Page, Gene enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. His tour of service took Gene to over twenty countries across Africa, Asia, and South America. Gene was honorably discharged from the military in 2011. While on reserve status, Gene began attending Mercer University where he graduated with his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. I hope the senate leadership helps Mitchell in that race. He has the right makeup & background for that district. Keep a eye on that race.

(7) JC Cunningham (D-Valdosta)

Disabled Veteran JC Cunningham will take on Floor Leader Amy Carter, another party switcher from Valdosta for HD 175. Cunningham is running because he believe that it is time that the lawmakers of Georgia begin to reflect the spirit and pride of all Georgians. For the past several months he have been speaking and meeting with educators, farmers, small business owners, unemployed construction workers, seniors, and mothers throughout Valdosta, Hahira, Quitman, Dixie, Boston and Thomasville and I heard the same thing over and over. "Who in Atlanta is representing South Georgia"? "Does anyone feel our pain"? I give Cunningham a 50/50 shot at that seat...

(8) Bikram Mohanty (D-Valdosta)

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr Mohanty at the State Capitol during qualifying period. Mohanty has the tall order of unseating longtime democrat, now republican Tim Golden for SD 8. Dr Mohanty is a occupational therapist

As founder and CEO of Innovative Rehab Solutionshehave employed healthcare and rehab professionals from South Georgia and have been able to successfully maintain these positions without major government intervention or any major debt.  His main issue is creating Jobs for the South Ga Economy

Tom Coogle: From Unknown To "Yeah, You Got My Vote!

Conservative Democratic Candidate Tom Coogle (D-Montezuma) has come along way since deciding to enter the race to succeed retiring State Rep Lynmore James back in late 2011. In a district drawn to favor a African-American candidate, Coogle has managed to win over many African-Americans in communities in HD 139, from Unadilla to Montezuma who makeup 56% of the population of HD 139 (excluding the prison population from the census, that number is much lower than the 56%) (Pictured Tom Coogle with Jim Galloway of the AJC)

Coogle, who's Great Grandfather T.L. Coogle served in the Georgia Legislature from 1948-56 is the darkhorse candidate in this race. He had little or no name recognition entering this race, no political ties to any organization, In many ways the allure of the Coogle Darkhorse Candidacy  mirrors that of the American Dream: An unknown candidate, the little guy, overcomes incredible odds to pull a shocking victory from the hands of an establishment favorite(s)

It has been a very methodical grassroots Campaign for Coogle, building a network of supporters in 3 of the 4 counties consisting of HD 139 (only Peach County remains as the last obstacle)

Being the only Business Owner in the race, Coogle has stressed Jobs with his Faith, Family & Farm Platform in addition to Agriculture, Family Values & Ethics. His Conservative approach to Fiscal & Social Issues has resonated with many citizens of HD 139. Coogle has built a coalition of voters from republicans & democrats, liberals & conservatives.(Remember when  Democratic Party once enjoyed that kind of coalition back in their heyday?)

Recently there have been a wave of  stealing of Coogle Yard Signs in Macon County, while his opponents signs are still standing strong. No doubt there are forces out there working against Coogle & trying to discourage many in the African-American Community to not vote for him due to the color of his skin, so much that rumors was spreading around that Blacks should not vote for him because he is prejudiced or racist is the farthest thing from the truth

This shows how low some will go to discredit or smear Coogle's candidacy in the Black Community. But Coogle weathered that storm & is marching along toward his goal of victory on July 31.

There are two more months to go before voters head to the polls to elect a new state representative for HD 139, but a victory by Coogle would in my opinion send a message to the Democratic Party that they should not give up on Bluedog Democrats just yet if it wants to have a future in statewide politics over the next decade!

Businessman Thomas Coogle II to run for Georgia State House in 2012

Yesterday at the Macon County Courthouse, BlueDog Democrat Thomas L "Tom" Coogle II (D-Montezuma) announced his candidacy for State Representative HD 135 (139 under new proposed map) which includes Dooly, Macon, Taylor & southern Peach County. Incumbent Lynmore James (D-Montezuma) will step down after the 2012 legislative session due to various health issues he's been dealing with over that last few years.

Coogle, a 33 year old Businessman & Vice-President of Reynolds Foodliner hopes to succeed James as representative to bring about more jobs to the district which includes Macon County, the third poorest county in the state of Georgia. This will be Coogle's first time running for elected office

Jobs, Jobs, Jobs is the key issue for Coogle, who business background gives him an advantage over other potential candidates, which includes Taylor County Commissioner Patty Bentley who announced her candidacy back in October.

Coogle says he's running as a Democrat, but hopes to bridge the gap between the two political parties under the Gold Dome in Atlanta.

A father of three, Coogle is a Lutheran, member of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Macon County Chamber of Commerce & the Georgia Food industry Association & a graduate of Georgia Southwestern State University. His wife Jill Tatum-Coogle is a elementary school teacher for the Macon County School System

Coogle's grandfather T.L. Coogle a Conservative Democrat served as State Representative from 1948-56.