8 Endorsements for Key State House Seats

1. HD 39: There are three candidates to replace Alisha Morgan who is running for State School Superintendent. It's possible that this race will go to a runoff, but out of the three only stands out from the pack and that's Erica Thomas (D-Austell). Thomas is the vice president of the Young Democrats of Cobb County and also having worked for Rep. Morgan, she knows the concerns and issues that are facing HD 39. Her energy, enthusiasm and professionalism will be a welcomed asset to the Democratic Caucus and the State Legislature. PEANUT POLITICS ENDORSES ERICA THOMAS FOR HD 39

2. HD 58: This is a interesting race between Incumbent Simone Bell (D-Atlanta) and challenger Erica Morris Long (D-Atlanta). Bell serves as Democratic Jr Whip for the House Democratic Caucus and is strong advocate of the LBGT Community, Women's issues and Housing. Long.who is the wife of former State Rep. Ralph Long is a Democratic strategist and Attorney who first cut her political teeth on Capitol Hill and also worked as a Legislative Assistant in the Clinton Administration. The Harvard educated attorney is making her first run for political office. PEANUT POLITICS ENDORSES ERICA MORRIS LONG FOR HD 58

3. HD 74: Incumbent Valencia Stovall (D-Ellenwood) faces two challengers in her bid to remain as Rep for District 74: Former State Reps. Yasmin Neal (D-Atlanta) and Roberta-Abdul-Salaam (D-Riverdale).  With three candidates in the race, a runoff could be in the works, but voters should send Yasmin Neal back to the State Legislature. Neal who's background is in Law Enforcement is a staunch supporter of the law and her first stint as Representative was a fairly successful one. She brings a strong work ethic, drive and commitment.  PEANUT POLITICS ENDORSES YASMIN NEAL FOR HD 74

4. HD 105: Renita Hamilton (D-Lawrenceville) narrowly lost her bid to represent HD 105, garnering 48% of the vote against Republican Joyce Chandler. She's back for another run for the seat, this time she faces off against political novice Tim Hur (D-Lawrenceville), a Asian American and ex- volunteer for Minority Leader Stacey Abrams in the Democratic Primary. Hur has the backing of the Young Dems as well as some other key democratic backers. Hur is a realtor and is making his first run for office. The race got interesting recently due to a robo call residents of HD 105 received which has been criticized as offensive and designed to boost the candidacy of Hur and weaken the candidacy of Hamilton who is the front runner in the process. The choice is simple, who is the stronger General Election candidate? Voters should send Renita Hamilton, a pro-family values, pro-gun, small businessowner & Bluedog Democrat to the General Election to face Joyce Chandler in a rematch of their 2012 race. Hamilton is very well known throughout the district, she enjoys high Name I.D. and is heavily involved in the community and have received the backing of some of the prominent black churches in the district, as well as middle of the road soccer moms and rural HD 105 residents. PEANUT POLITICS ENDORSES RENITA HAMILTON FOR HD 105.

5. HD 148: Incumbent Buddy Harden (R-Cordele) is trying to fend off a challenge from Randy Head (R-Hawkinsville), a small businessowner out of Hawkinsville. There are many challenges facing District 148 and its time for someone to step forward and put the citizens first instead of Special Interest, Atlanta Politicos. Randy Head is the right man for the job and his strong local ties will be beneficial to the people of 148. From Agri-businesses to Economic revitalization, Randy Head will work hard for the citizens of 148. PEANUT POLITICS ENDORSES RANDY HEAD FOR HD 148.

6. HD 180: Jason Spencer (R-Woodbine) is battling challenger Nancy Stasinis (R-St. Marys) to represent HD 180. Spencer is a Tea Party Republican who sponsered HB 707 (HB 943) that would bar any state or local governments, agencies or employees from advocating for Medicaid expansion, except under certain circumstances, or from creating a health insurance exchange. It also would bar the University of Georgia and any other state organizations from running health insurance navigator programs to help Georgia consumers buy insurance on the federally run Health Insurance Marketplace. Over 600,000 Georgians do not have healthcare and Spencer have been most vocal in his opposition to the ACA & expansion of Medicaid. Nancy Stasinis is businessowner, Kings Bay Realty and is making her first run for office and will bring a calm, reasoned voice to the table, professionalism and respect back to Camden County & HD 180. How she feels about medicaid expansion is unknown, but she would be a upgrade over Jason Spencer. PEANUT POLITICS ENDORSES NANCY STASINIS FOR HD 180

prohibit Georgia employees of any state unit from spending state funds to advocate for the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion provision, and would eventually halt the navigator program run by the University of Georgia. Navigators are people trained to assist those seeking insurance through the health care exchange under the ACA.
The legislation also would prevent the state from creating its own health care exchange. Georgians now use a federally run exchange.
- See more at: http://www.georgiahealthnews.com/2014/03/anti-obamacare-bill-late-night-approval/#sthash.RoUGzs3l.dpuf

prohibit Georgia employees of any state unit from spending state funds to advocate for the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion provision, and would eventually halt the navigator program run by the University of Georgia. Navigators are people trained to assist those seeking insurance through the health care exchange under the ACA.
The legislation also would prevent the state from creating its own health care exchange. Georgians now use a federally run exchange.
- See more at: http://www.georgiahealthnews.com/2014/03/anti-obamacare-bill-late-night-approval/#sthash.RoUGzs3l.dpuf

7. HD 153: Carol Fullerton (D-Albany) is the incumbent in this race, but she faces tow challengers in Darrel Ealum (D-Albany) & Muarlean Edwards (D-Albany). This is a sleepy race for this east Albany House District, but a change is needed and Ealum, a ex-U.S Marine and CFO of Ealum Estates is the right person at the right time for this position. PEANUT POLITICS ENDORSES DARREL EALUM FOR HD 153.

8. HD 169: There will be a new State Rep for HD 169. Chuck Sims (R-Ambrose) decided not to seek re-election. Two democrats are vying for the right to advance to the General Election. They are Larry NeSmith (D-Douglas) and Dewey Hayes (D-Douglas). Nesmith a U.S. Army Veteran and Civil Right Activist is making his first run for office. Dewey Hayes, a Attorney and former Coffee Co State Court Solicitor is also making his first run for office. We here at Peanut Politics feel either guy would make a good representative.....but it all comes down to electoral strength and who can win in a General Election, so PEANUT POLITICS ENDORSES DEWEY HAYES FOR HD 169

CNN PRESENTS (1996) "After the Showdown" - Reps. Larry Walker (D-Perry) and McCracken Ken Poston (D-Ringgold)

Let's Communicate in District 148, says Randy Head

That's the slogan for political newcomer Randy Head as he prepares to take on Buddy Harden for HD 148.

Over in Pulaski County, Emmett "Randy" Head (R-Hawkinsville) is preparing for his first run for public office, which is State Representative against Buddy Harden (R-Cordele) for HD 148, which consist of Crisp, Wilcox, Pulaski and rural Houston County (Clinchfield, Henderson, Elko, Kathleen, Grovania, Haynesville)

The 54 yr old Head was born and raised in Hawkinsville who owns a small business in Perry called Grillmaster, which is near I-75. He's married to Wanda Head who is a educator.

I am a small businessowner with experience in Agriculture and Pecan Production, says Head. As a person who has grown up in this area, it always been  dream of mine to work and serve the citizens who makeup this area of Georgia, the Heart of Georgia.

Head emphasizes progress for the district with economic development, agriculture, small business and communication in HD 148. We have an abundance of resources available in this area and we need to protect and expand upon these resources says Head.

Some of the issues facing HD 148 & the State Head wants to address include:

-Rural Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities
-Robins AirForce Base (BRAC)
-Create a atmosphere that will lead to the creation of more small businesses that is the engine that drives the economy and communities
-Equipping Law Enforcement with the necessary tools to keep homes and streets safe
-Sustaining and promoting Georgia Agriculture as well as fighting for Family Farms

Head then goes on to say, we need to maximize the potential of all of our resources in order to grow our economy and create jobs. To ensure our success, we need to be open-mined and lines of communication must be open in order to move this district and this forward to better ensure a bright future for our children and grandchildren. His website is http://www.randyhead.org

Q&A With House District 33 Candidate David Vogel (D-Hull)

1. Short Bio about yourself.

I am a retired biophysicist who split his work teaching and doing research at medical schools into two parts because I got interested in what goes wrong with math eduction in the public schools and spent 15 years teaching for less money and prestige to see what I could do about it before returning to research.

2 Why are you a Democrat;( Progressive, Moderate or Conservative?)

Some people think life is hard and we need to work together to make the best of it. Others think life is hard and they'd better be ready to scrap for everything they can get for themselves. I'm in the first group

3 Why are you running for the Georgia State House?

I understand that the rate at which wealth is being transferred from the middle class and the modestly rich to the extremely rich is increasing exponentially. (It's all over for the poorest 10% who owned 3% of the national wealth in 1900.) We are not far from a day when almost every American spends his or her entire adult life in debt to a financial aristocracy. We don't notice this happening already because we focus on our debt instead of their wealth, but when a new college graduate starts his life $50,000 in debt, that debt is someone else's wealth. Every time someone refinances a house, extending the payout time, that's wealth headed for the top. Companies such as Two Harbors Investment Corp. are turning all those subprime loans into gold by turning homes into rental properties. One place to start is with tax policies more like those of the 1950's. Republican tax policies from the 1950's would be a good start because in those days we all understood the consequences of letting all the country's wealth float to the top.

4 What’s the most pressing issue facing the state. Your House District?

Jobs and jobs.

5 What is something you think the current Legislature has done well?

It has created special courts for drug offenders and the mental ill that should lead to more treatment and less incarceration.

6 What is something you think the current Legislature hasn’t done well?

The effort to create a State board that could authorize charter schools that have been denied charters by local school boards.

7 What is the number one issue you would address as a State Rep?

Because no one in this state has paid any attention to Citizens United, I will attempt to get the Georgia legislature to join the seven other state legislatures that have passed resolutions calling on Congress to start the legal process of amending the U.S. Constitution to allow citizens, through their legislators, to control the role of money in politics.

8 Hailing from rural Georgia. In your opinion what must the Democratic Party of Georgia must do to win the hearts & minds of Rural Georgians who have drfited to the GOP over the last decade?

My chief interest in restarting the Democratic Party in my part of Georgia, where it has been legally dead, has been to put together a program to educate rural Georgians - first about tax policy and their own financial interests because that underlies a lot of other issues. I think that can only be done by getting volunteers to talk directly to voter's, canvassing door-to-door. I have developed a script that seems to be effective at doing just that.

9 Why should constituents vote for you on Election Day.  What makes you a better choice than your opponent?
My opponent thinks the sales tax is the best tax because it treats everyone the same. He also thinks it's ethical to take campaign contributions from Waste Management Inc. while his constituents are fighting against the construction of an incinerator in their county.

10 Comment (anything you would like to add)

I have a life long record of socially responsible work. I've started several large programs for both children and the elderly. I've raised money for organizations such as the National Center for Science Education. I once studied the ballot access laws of all 50 states before organizing a team lawyers who won 29 out of 29 suits aimed at overturning excessively restrictive parts of those laws. 

Q&A With House District 1 Candidate Tom McMahan (D-Rising Fawn)

1 Short Bio about yourself

I’m 45, a Navy veteran of the Persian Gulf War, currently a teacher who holds a Masters Degree in History from Old Dominion University. I grew up and currently live in Dade County, one of the two counties covered by House District 1 (Walker County is the other). I attend Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Lookout Mountain, TN. I’ve taught alternative high school social studies for 13 years in nearby Catoosa County, GA.

2 Why are you a Democrat;( Progressive, Moderate or Conservative?)

I’m a moderate on economic issues, tend to be libertarian on social issues. I’m a Democrat because, as an educator, the Democratic Party is far more favorable to public education than is the Republican Party. In fact, the Democratic Party takes the basic functions of government far more seriously than the current Republican Party does, which seems to frequently hold public service and public life in contempt.

3 Why are you running for the Georgia State House?

I’m not running for state senate, I’m running for state house (district 1). I’m running for it because I’m concerned about the state of public education in this state, the fact that 2/3 of our school systems are on reduced calendar years, a fact that all Georgians should be embarrassed by, and the general decline of our state’s infrastructure and the level of corruption shown by the current majority in Atlanta.

4 What’s the most pressing issue facing the state. Your House District?

Our state’s schools. Public education is the largest expenditure of our state, but it is being allowed to decline year by year for a decade now, with no real signs of reversing that trend. Plus, amendment 1 on this year’s ballot is a direct threat to public education in that it falsely pushes the lure of “choice” while hiding that the intent of the amendment is to turn more and more schools over to for-profit management companies while leaving the traditional schools on marginalized budgets for years to come.

An issue more specific to our district is the lack of representation our district has had for 8 years, as our outgoing representative and the leaders of his own party had their relationship deteriorate to the point where we seldom received any representation at all.

5 What is something you think the current Legislature has done well?

The recent penal sentencing reform.

6 What is something you think the current Legislature hasn’t done well?

Failure to address infrastructure needs comprehensively, as well as passing the charter school amendment and short-changing Georgia’s students.

7 What is the number one issue you would address as a State Rep?

As stated, I want to address the shortfall in revenues that will allow Georgia’s school systems to once again operate on a full 180-day year. I also think changing the HOPE scholarship to a needs-based approach that would allow qualifying students from families making less than $120K/yr to once again receive the full scholarship, which would stem the loss of college students our state is currently seeing.

8 Hailing from rural Georgia. In your opinion what must the Democratic Party of Georgia must do to win the hearts & minds of Rural Georgians who have drfited to the GOP over the last decade?

I don’t think we have to consciously “win the hearts and minds,” I think we just have to know our areas, know our constituents, and frame our concerns as the Democratic Party in ways that rural Georgians understand and agree with. This isn’t impossible, it simply requires us to keep our focus on bread-and-butter issues and not play the Republican Party’s game of getting involved in social issues which the state can do little about in the first place.

9 Why should constituents vote for you on Election Day? What makes you a better choice than your opponent?

My opponent is a good man, but I believe I will be a more active representative than he would be, I feel that I have more experience with the folks in my district, and my education experience is something sorely lacking among Georgia legislators.

Q&A With House District 175 Candidate J.C. Cunningham (D-Valdosta)

1.Short Bio about yourself 

JC Cunningham was born on July 27, 1959 and is the son of Retired Command Sergeant Major Logan L. Cunningham and Patricia E. Cunningham and was born in Detroit Michigan. I have always considers Eatontown, New Jersey my hometown because my father seemed to always get stationed back there after serving overseas assignments. For the past 21 years we have made Valdosta Ga. our home. I am married to Barbara Jean Stokes Cunningham, and they have four children and three grandchildren. I am a Disabled Veteran and a cancer survivor.

2. Why are you a Democrat;( Progressive, Moderate or Conservative?)

 

 I am a Moderate Democrat.

3. Why are you running for the Georgia State House?

 

I’m running to represent District 175 in South Georgia, but I’m concerned about all of Georgia’s citizens. I worry because Georgia is not getting the representation she deserves. Backroom deals,  outof-state special interest groups, and turncoat politicians have become the norm. Our Legislators pass bills that allow massive tax credits to wealthy corporations with one hand while they cut funding for our public schools with the other. Unemployment is up, the HOPE Scholarship no longer helps the very people it was meant to help. I believe the time has come for the people of South Georgia to have someone in Atlanta who will insist that the people of South Georgia start getting their fair share of that hundreds of millions of dollars so that we can create more jobs, improve our infrastructure, develop businesses and bring a public transportation system to this region that sorely needs it so that hard working folks can get to work each day. I am running because I don’t owe any favors to anyone in Atlanta, so I have no problem standing up to big business and fighting the partisanship in Atlanta that is crippling our small communities throughout South Georgia.

4. What’s the most pressing issue facing the state. Your House District?

 

Economic Recovery...Currently the unemployment rate in Georgia is 9.3%, while the national unemployment rate is 7.8%. Those figures are much higher in rural and heavily populated minority communities. Brooks County has the highest percentage (%) of jobs lost in Georgia over the past 20 years and during that time have lost four (4) major industries. The economic revitalization of Brooks County must be a priority. More jobs in Brooks County means more jobs for Lowndes and Thomas County. When elected I want to ensure that Brooks, Lowndes and Thomas Counties are in consideration for any industry that are looking to relocate their businesses to Georgia. It must be the legislature’s responsibility to spread the wealth. I will work hard to get appointed to the Economic and Development Committee to ensure that this region of South Georgia is getting its fair share of all new business. I believe that the true backbone of South Georgia is our Farmers and they have been punished severely for the mistakes of lax immigration enforcement over the past 50 years. I am opposed to HB 87 (illegal Immigration Reform and Enforcement Act of 2011) because it has severely hurt the small farmer and in some cases have forced them into bankruptcy. Legislation must be written to reform the visa programs to help migrant workers as well as the farmers and ensure that future immigration is regulated and controlled rather than illegal and chaotic.

5.What is something you think the current Legislature has done well? 

 

I really don’t have an answer for that. I believe the legislature has failed the citizens of Georgia

miserably.

6.What is something you think the current Legislature hasn’t done well?

 

They have not gone to work each day for the sole purpose of making life better for Georgians.

Partisanship in Atlanta is destroying our state. Partisan politics is responsible for putting T-SPLOST and the Charter School Amendment on the ballot and dividing this state.

7.What is the number one issue you would address as a State Senator?

 

Education. K-12 must be budgeted properly. The Governor keeps bragging about Georgia having

the lowest fuel tax in the nation, but we can’t properly fund our public schools. HOPE must go back to an income cap immediately.

8. Hailing from rural Georgia. In your opinion what must the Democratic Party of Georgia must do to win the hearts & minds of Rural Georgians who have drfited to the GOP over the last decade?

 

First and foremost we need new leadership! Leadership that can see past I - 20. The party has turned it’s back on Rural Georgians while the Republican party seized on that as an opportunity and embraced them. There is practically no presence of a Democratic party in South Georgia and the party has once again failed to support any candidates south of Macon. I would have thought they would have ;earned a lesson from 2010 when so many turncoats jumped ship. This may continue to be a trend if the party and the caucuses don’t wake up. We cannot turn Georgia Blue if you don’t spend time or money in Rural Georgia. Their excuse is there’s only money for candidates in major races, well there are races in 177, 175 that are major. They are both polling about 50 - 50, but the Republicans are out spending us thousands of dollars, and not to mention the Governor, Lt. Governor and Atty. General have come here to campaign for their candidates. The Democratic party has never even so much as called to say hello. Until we as a party begin to go out and promote our platform and our candidates we will continue to see a decline.

9. Why should constituents vote for you on Election Day? What makes you a better choice than your opponent?

 

Because they can trust me! My opponent, Amy Carter has already proven that she cannot be trusted when she jumped to the Republican party two weeks after running unopposed as a Democrat. Shortly after making her announcement, she was selected as one of the Gov. Deal’s Floor Leaders. She has shown no loyalty to the citizens of South Georgia and has supported and voted on legislation that did not reflect the wishes of those she was elected to serve. South Georgia deserves someone who is bold enough to say no thanks, because this is not good for or is not in the best interest of the people of Lowndes, Brooks and Thomas Counties. Properly budgeting of our Public Schools and Economic recovery must be front and center during the next General Assembly. I will not make any apologies for speaking out and standing up to the partisanship that is crippling our State. Rural, Poor and Middle Class Georgians all pay taxes that support this state, but they are heard from the least. I will bring your voices with me when I go to Atlanta. I will insure that each person in district 175 is aware of pending legislation before it goes to a vote. I will not bow to the elitist attitudes of special interest groups will work to inspire other Legislatures to remember why they ran for office in the first place. I won’t sell out your vote!

10. Comment (anything you would like to add)

 

I’m running to represent District 175, because South Georgia is not getting the representation she deserves. Unemployment is up, the state ranks last in job growth, women are treated like cattle, teachers are being furloughed, and farmers our being put out of business. Our primary focus should be the future of Georgia’s public schools. The state’s budget for k -12 has steadily decreased while the number of children entering public schools have increased. Since 2008 over 4,423 teachers have been laid off.

My opponent, Amy Carter voted for HB 1162, the Charter School Amendment, despite the fact that Georgia’s Public Schools have already been hit with $5.6 billion in austerity cuts over the last 9 years. I am opposed to this amendment because it is designed to overturn a Georgia Supreme Court Decision

which ruled “ ....that the power to create charter schools belongs to local school boards, not the state. I also oppose this amendment because I believe that taxpayers dollars should never fund private for-profit charter schools or independent schools. I am also concerned for “the forgotten average working family” to quote Governor, Zell Miller as it concerns the HOPE scholarship. HOPE, is no longer serving the people it was meant to serve, and reports indicate that incoming freshman from South Ga. receive less HOPE than those from more affluent counties in North Ga.

South Georgia has been getting table scraps from Atlanta for years and we have not received our fair share of the economic pie. Governor Deal has just announced Georgia creates records jobs and investments for 2012. While I am grateful for any increase in job growth, it must be pointed out that Ga. unemployment rate is still 1.5% higher than the national avg. I would be remiss if I did not ask, where are Lowndes, Brooks and Thomas Counties portions of those jobs?

I am asking for your vote on November 6th, because South Ga. doesn’t need another politician who

knows Atlanta, they need a leader who understands South Georgia. I am JC Cunningham, ..............New Leader, Better Direction

Democratic Candidates who can WIN in November

63 Democrats in the House, 22 Democrats in the State Senate. That's it! About half of the legislative seats are unopposed this year in the state house & more than that in the State Senate.

Now its time to separate the contenders from the pretenders as far as democrats who can WIN in November:

1, Quentin T. Howell (D-Hardwick). Howell is trying for a second time to unseat Independent Rusty Kidd for HD 145, which covers Baldwin & southern Putnam County. Howell has been campaigning for this seat for well over a year, and has been building support since his 2010 loss. Howell, a Blue Dog Democrat is a businessman/entrepreneur, radio talk show host & veteran of the Navy. He has worked throughout the community in Milledgeville on numerous issues that affected the citizens.  Howell is by far the strongest candidate running as a democrat this year. 

2. Jana Hill (D-Clayton) Hill is making her first run for office against Republican Stephen Allison. Hill, a former educator is a strong advocate for public schools and economic development. Hill serves on the Boards of the Rabun Chamber of Commerce and Community Pantry and is a founding member of the Old School Community Garden. Recently, she was elected as a 2012 Georgia Delegate to the Democratic National Convention and she works with the Development Authority of Rabun County.

3. Renita Hamilton (D-Lawrenceville). This seat is definitely one democrats can win. Hamilton who ran for Lawrenceville City County in 2011 is taking on Joyce Chandler for HD 105. Hamilton, a pro-business, pro-family democrat has the vision, integrity, and real-life experience necessary to bring family-sustaining jobs and a healthier economic prosperity back to the district.  As the owner of a small business, she understands the difficulty of sustaining a viable small business & also understand the problems of entrepreneurs, investors and developers. 

4. Kevin T. Brown (D-Buena Vista) Brown is challenging Mike Cheokas who changed parties & now running as a republican this election cycle. Brown is a former U.S. Army Veteran, Director of the Marion County Family Connection & member of numerous boards thoughout the West Central Georgia Area. HD 138 is one of the few seat that democrats can flip to blue. It consist of Chattahoochee, Marion, Schley & Sumter County.

5. Dr Nelva Lee (D-McDonough) Lee, a native of Panama, moved to the US due to the Noriega Dictatorship.  Lee, a Conservative Democrat 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. She has also served as a Mental Health Coordinator for the Department of Health and as Director of Patient Advocacy for the Grady Health System. And Chair of the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters. Lee main focus in her run for the State Senate is bringing attention on making the Small business industry in her district as robust and viable as possible and expand hiring incentives to make them S.T.E.M. (Science Technology Engineering Math) industry specific, among other things in her platform.

6. Mary Ann Whipple-Lue (D-Gordon) Lue is taking on James Epps of Dry Branch for HD 144 which now includes NW Laurens County & Bleckley County with Wilkinson, Twiggs & east Bibb County & Eastern Jones Co. Lue a former member of the Wilkinson County BOE is running on bringing more Industry to HD 144.  And being heavily involved in education, wants to fix Georgia's struggling Public Schools. Lue hails from the same hometown as did late State Rep. Ken Birdsong.

HD 138: The Buena Vista Bluedog, Kevin T. Brown Wants To Bring Focus Back To Rural Georgia

Come November, Marion County could have its first ever State Representative to come out of that area

Brown is challenging Incumbent Republican Mike Cheokas of Americus who switched parties after the 2010 elections. HD 138 consist of Sumter, Schley, Marion, & Chattahoochee County. In the 2012 primary, Cheokas received  1,665 during the republican primary votes to Brown's 3,339 votes in the democratic primary.

Candidate Kevin Brown with supporters at the Peanut Festival in Plains, Ga

Brown, a 44 year old centrist Bluedog Democrat out of Buena Vista is currently Executive Director for Marion County Family Connection. Previously he served 11 Years in the United States Army as a Legal Specialist (Staff Sergeant) & Veterans Representative/Job Specialist with Georgia Department of Labor.

He also served on the Buena Vista City Council & member of the River Valley Regional Commission Executive Board and Finance Committee and Founded of DIAMONDS , a organization that is a youth leadership group for young men.

His other memberships include:
Member of West Central Georgia Cancer Coalition Board of Directors
Member of Marion County Basketball Booster Club
Member of River Valley Regional Commission Executive Board and Finance Committee
Member of Marion County Board of Health
Member of Marion County Truancy Protocol Committee
Member of Marion County Child Abuse Protocol Board
Member of Marion County Child Fatality Review Panel

He is a graduate of  now defunct Tri-County High School (1985) & a graduate of Troy State University.

Brown wants to expand job opportunities and foster economic growth in rural Georgia; restore value to the Hope Scholarship and to provide a sense of trust in those that have been elected to serve unconditionally and selflessly. Brown has all the qualities to be a great State Representative for the newly drawn HD 138. He has appeal across racial, class & party lines & he has a strong work ethic. With the party now overrun by liberals, it needs a dose of centralism in its ranks to bring some much needed balance to the party.

Ellis Black: Put HD 174 in the "W" Column for 2012

Love him or hate him, State Rep. Ellis Black (R-Valdosta) is right for new HD 174 which now consist of Clinch, Ware, Camden, Charlton & southern Lowndes County.

Black who first was elected as a democrat switched parties after the 2010 elections. Now I always say that if you run under one party for re-election, then you should serve out that term under that one party until next re-election & that's when you switch parties...that's the more noble thing to do.

Now back to Rep.Black. He's was the type of democrat the party has been losing over the last 12 years. Conservative-minded, Rural Based, White Male. Now I don't blame him for switching since the voice of conservative democrats in the state house has been marginalized by the increasingly grip of liberal Georgia Democrats who now control the party from the top down.

Black, is more of a independent more so than a republican or democrat. He fits the district perfectly, although much of it now is vastly different.

I remember this quote in which he said: This is where I belong. When I was first elected, we had conservative Democrats in the leadership of the Democratic Party; today, there are none. I have a ten-year record of voting the thinking of my constituents, and I believe I can best serve my constituents as a Republican.

You want to go somewhere where you feel comfortable & your views are accepted, not frowned upon & so the republican party is where he felt more at home....now that doesn't mean that he's a person who will just vote republican every time, (like I said before, he's more of a independent than a party person) like State Rep. Alan Powell of Hart County.

Democrats need more Ellis Blacks in its ranks if it ever want to compete for majority status in the legislature. Keep losing more Ellis Black Types & its going to be a long, hard slog (which it already is) for the once mighty Georgia Democratic Party. Black who is a farmer sits on the Agriculture, Ways & Means & Appropriations Committees & is a member of the Southeast Ag Coalition


Black has a Democratic Challenger in Teresa Lawrence of Lake Park. I have no doubt that she's a nice lady, but voters down in 174 need to send Ellis Black back to the State House on November.

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

Time for changing of the guard?

Unlike the overhyped presidential election, where little actual disparity can be found between the likely candidates, a number of state and local races are putting a real choice before Georgia voters.

The upcoming primary election could be described as a contest between members of the old guard & their handpick successors and an emerging new guard. The old guard represents the familiar names, faces and policies of the incumbency. These are individuals who are experienced and well connected politically. They know how to close ranks when they perceive a threat to their influence, and are perfectly willing to call in mutually supporting favors from their fellow politicians.

When faced with a choice between power and principle, these leaders will generally choose what preserves their power. None of this should be construed as proof of evil intent on the part of the old guard; instead, it illustrates a common trait of human nature that power, once obtained, is a very difficult thing to let go.

The new guard can best be described as individuals who have recognized a need for leadership that is grounded in the principles of limited government and greater accountability to the people. To them, raw political power is less desirable than keeping government power within its correct boundaries.

Most of the new guard are newcomers to politics and are running for office out of a sense of public virtue rather than personal gain. Public virtue, in this sense, is synonymous with the concepts of service, self-sacrifice, and disinterestedness. It denotes a choice in which a person’s self interests are voluntarily put aside and sacrifices made for the benefit of society in general. In the case of the new guard, many of the candidates are stepping forward at considerable personal cost to serve where they recognize a need for more principled leadership.

Because many of the emerging new guard do not aspire to be career politicians, the old guard often dismisses them as idealistic and inexperienced. This is a mistake. The new guard candidates, in most cases, have devoted a great deal of time and effort to understanding the challenges and opportunities before us, as well as the foundational principles by which good government operates. This is something the old guard has, in many cases, forgotten.


Name recognition alone used to be sufficient to carry the day for the old guard, but the proliferation of readily available information combined with a growing sense of government overreach has prompted many voters to do their homework.

The old guard senses that a shift is taking place and is doing its best to protect its power from what it foolishly labels “radicals.” But a closer examination of what motivates these new guard candidates to run for office will reveal that, in many cases, we finally will have an actual choice in the coming election.

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!!!!

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!

Rural Georgia 2012 Legislative Races to Watch

HD 151:
Gerald Greene (R-Cuthbert)
Bob Hanner (R-Parrott)

The two longtime rural Democrats switched parties after the 2010 election & their districts was paired together, forcing both men to run against each other. One may possibly retire, but that remains to be seen. The district is a lean democratic district

HD 138

Mike Cheokas (R-Americus)

Cheokas, former chair of the Sumter County Democratic Party also switched after the 2010 elections. The district now includes democratic leaning Chattahoochee County & it loses the more conservative southern portion of Sumter County. The district is a tossup/tilt democratic district




HD 144

James "Bubber" Epps (R-Dry Branch)

Epps was bombarded with questions during his last re-election about the possibility of switching parties but he vigorously denied he was planning to switch parties. After getting re-elected he immediately switched parties, angering local democrats. The district now includes Bleckley County & Northwest Laurens County. The district is a tossup




HD 150

Matt Hatchett (R-Dublin)

Hatchett took over as Rep of Laurens County after DuBose Porter left to run for governor in 2010. Hatchett defeated Physician Pablo Santamaria in the genera,l who I thought was the weaker candidate in the democratic primary which he defeated Mitch Warnock in the runoff. The district is tilt republican district, but depending on the democratic candidate can be won again by dems



HD 145

E. Culver "Rusty" Kidd (I-Baldwin County)

Rusty Kidd faces re-election to a district that includes more of southern Putnam County. Questions arose about his residency last year in which he lived outside of his district, but that has been fixed as the new district now includes more of Putnam County. Baldwin Co has suffered mass job loss over the past decade & this year maybe the year that this seat flips to the democratic column. The district is a tossup




HD 177

Open Seat (Democratic Leaning)

This seat was drawn as a majority-minority district. It includes the city of Valdosta. Expect many candidates to jump at the chance of representing this open house seat




HD 175

Amy Carter (R-Valdosta)

Carter, a moderate also switched parties & now serves as Nathan Deal's Floor Leader. She now has new territory that now includes democratic Brooks County, Republican Thomas County & a sliver of Lowndes County. Her position maybe help her in her bid to win re-election in this new district, but expect a democratic challenge to her in november. The district is a tossup




HD 149

Jimmy Pruett (R-Eastman)

Pruett loses Wilcox, Pulaski & Bleckley Counties & Pickup Telfair & Wheeler Counties, as well as Southern Laurens County. Pruett who was Sonny Perdue's floor leader is basically running in a new district. The district is lean republican. I'd be surprised if he doesn't receive a challenge to the newly redrawn district




HD 171

Jay Powell (R-Camilla)

Powell came to the legislature in 2006 after the retirement of longtime Democrat Richard Royal. Powell was personally escorted by then speaker Glen Richardson to qualify as a republican on the last day of qualifying. 171 now takes in North/North Central Decatur County. Mitchell County sizable AA population makes this a race that democrats win definitely target in november.




HD 180

Mark Hatfield (R-Waycross)
Jason Spencer (R-Woodbine)

This race will be one of the most interesting to watch. Hatfield who has been at the center of controversy sponsored a bill that would have required President Obama to provide certified proof of his birth to the Georgia secretary of state in order to appear on this year’s presidential primary and general election ballots. Spencer is the newly elected Rep out of Camden County who has been paired against Hatfield in the GOP primary this summer. Its possibly that Hatfield just may hold on to his seat against freshman Jason Spencer. I can't call this race, but its a safe republican seat.




HD 133

Kip Smith (R-Pine Mountain)

Smith was pulled over for DUI back in January which has lead to a primary challenge from John Pezold. Smith took over the seat from his father Vance Smith who was appointed as the GDOT Commissioner (he is no longer the commissioner) Smith, 30 hails from a safe republican district & I believe that like Ben Harbin, he will weather the storm & win re-election.




HD 158

Butch Parrish (R-Swainsboro)

Former Democrat Butch Parrish has been in that seat since the mid 1980s & show no signs of slowing down. He hasn't had a real challenge to that seat in years, if not decades. Its highly....highly unlikely that he will ever lose his seat, but you never know. These are turbulent times in politics folks, so..............




HD 169

Chuck Sims (R-Ambrose)
Tommy Smith (R-Nicholls)

The two former democrats will battle it out in the GOP Primary for the right to represent this seat. Both men are very likable & well respected. No liberal/progressive democrat will win this seat....Oh, No! There are plenty of good solid BlueDogs down in that area & if the "RIGHT" Democrat comes forward, I can see this seat being high competitive.




HD 139

Lynmore James (D-Montezuma)

This seat now includes all of Dooly County, along with Macon, Taylor & southern Peach County

Incumbent Lynmore James (D-Montezuma) who is a friend of mine will step down after 20 years due to health issues. This seat is a solid democratic district. You have Businessman & Conservative Democrat Thomas Coogle, Jr, Peach Co Commissioner Michael Dinkins & Taylor Co Commissioner Patty Bentley. This will be a highly competitive race with a runoff likely between two of the three candidates. The district includes Macon County, which is the 3rd poorest county in the state.