Stakes are incredibly high in Tuesday’s election
News, Politics November 5, 2018
Brian Kemp
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – On election eve, the stakes in the 2018 midterm election could not be higher. That was reflected in the record-setting turnout during the three-week, in-person, advanced voting session that saw 2.1 million Georgians cast their votes.
Here in Dawson County, interest was through the roof. Director of Elections and Registration Glenda Ferguson reported last week that 7,036 residents voted early.
Stacey Abrams
At the top of the ballot is the race for Governor where conservative Republican Secretary of State Brian Kemp faces liberal Democrat former House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams.
The candidates could not be more different. Kemp opposes the expansion of Medicaid. Abrams supports expansion. Kemp wants to deport illegal immigrants and ban sanctuary cities. Abrams opposes clamping down on illegal immigration and wants to provide a pathway to citizenship. Kemp wants Georgia to have the toughest abortion restrictions in the U.S. Abrams opposes additional restrictions. Kemp wants to preserve the HOPE scholarship but opposes letting undocumented students access the scholarship. Abrams believes it should be available to all.
Geoff Duncan
The third candidate in the race, Libertarian Ted Metz, could play the spoiler role. Pollsters say the race between Kemp and Abrams is razor thin and neither has crossed the 50 percent barrier that would prevent an unprecedented four-week runoff.
While the governor’s race has gained nationwide attention, there are other important races on the ballot.
Republican Geoff Duncan of Forsyth County and Democrat Sarah Riggs Amico are running for lieutenant governor. The candidates for Secretary of State are Brad Raffensperger (R), John Barrow (R), and Smyth Duval (L).
The race for Attorney General is between Gary Black (R) and Fred Swann (D).
Sarah Amico
Incumbent Republican U.S. Representative Doug Collins faces a challenge from Democrat Josh McCall in the 9th District.
Also on the Dawson County ballot is the race between 7th District State Representative David Ralston (R) and Rick Day (D).
There are also five constitutional amendments for voters to decide and two statewide referenda.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Advanced voting in general election begins Oct. 15
Election 2018, News, Politics October 9, 2018
Brian Kemp
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — Advanced voting for the 2018 General Election begins next week and Georgia is the home of one of the most intriguing – and expensive — gubernatorial races in the nation.
Pollsters say the race is neck and neck. On Sept. 6, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution/Channel 2 Action News poll had it 45 percent for Republican Brian Kemp, 45 percent for Democrat Stacey Abrams, 2 percent for independent Ted Metz and 7.5 percent undecided.
Stacey Abrams
Folks who make a living analyzing political races say the Democrats had the momentum and that anger over President Donald Trump’s policies was driving increased voter registration on the left. But that was before the bitterly divisive hearings for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
Infuriated by the “guilty until proven innocent,” sexual assault accusations of the liberal left, Republicans have seized the momentum and can be expected to turnout in record numbers to support Kemp.
Health insurance is a key policy difference between the two leading candidates. Abrams supports Medicaid expansion. Kemp says it would bankrupt the state.
Kemp carries the endorsement of President Donald Trump into the election. Abrams is the darling of Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer and Hillary Clinton, Democrats who hope to change the color of Georgia from red to blue.
Advanced voting will be held Monday through Friday from Oct 15 through November 2 between the hours of 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Voters may also cast a ballot on Saturday Oct. 27 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. All advanced voting in Dawson County will take place at the Board of Elections Office, 96 Academy office in Dawsonville.
For questions about your voting location and/or status, call 706-344-3640.
The General Election will be held Tuesday, Nov. 6 from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m., when all precincts will be open.
A large number of candidates will appear on the ballot, but are running unopposed. They include State Senator Steve Gooch, State Representative Kevin Tanner, Northeast Judicial District Attorney Lee Darragh, County Commissioner District 1 Sharon R. Fausett, County Commissioner-elect District 3 Tim Satterfield, Board of Education At-Large William S. Wade, Board of Education District 3 Karen Armstrong.
In addition to choosing political candidates, voters will have an opportunity to vote on five proposed Constitutional amendments and two statewide referendums.
DAWSON COUNTY BALLOT
Governor
Brian Kemp (R ) Stacey Abrams(D) Ted Met (I)
Lieutenant. Gov.
Geoff Duncan (R) Sarah Riggs Amico (D)
Secretary of State
Brad Raffensperger (R ) John Barrow (D)
Attorney General
Chris Carr (R ) Charlie Bailey (D)
Agriculture Commissioner
Gary Black (R ) Fred Swann (D)
Insurance Commissioner
Jim Beck (R ) Janice Laws (D ) Donnie Foster (I)
State School Superintendent
Richard Woods (R ) Otha Thornton, Jr. (D)
Labor Commissioner
Mark Butler (R ) Richard Keatley
U.S. House of Representatives 9th District
Doug Collins (R ) Josh McCall (D)
State Representatives 7th District
David Ralston (R ) Rick Day (D)
Governor’s race is still too close to call
News, Politics November 7, 2018Brian Kemp
ATLANTA – With 98 percent of the state’s precincts reporting, the top Election Day prize was still up for grabs at 7 a.m. today.
Republican Secretary of State Brian Kemp leads former House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams with 50.42 percent of the vote to Abrams 48.64. Kemp must win 50.1 percent to avoid a runoff.
Kemp told supporters “I am confident victory is near.”
Abrams has not yet conceded. She says she “will wait until every vote Is counted.”
Geoff Duncan
Forsyth County’s Geoff Duncan has claimed victory in the race for Lt. Governor over Democrat Sarah Riggs Amico. Duncan has received 51.83 percent in the two-person race.
Only the final margin is in question in the race for Ninth District U.S. Congress where Republican incumbent Doug Collins has won 79.6 percent of the vote to Josh McCall’s 20.4.
Republican Brad Raffensperger and John Barrow are headed for a runoff. Raffensperger has received 49.28 percent of the vote to Barrow’s 48.49. Smythe Duval has received 2.22 percent.
Elsewhere, Republicans held comfortable margins. Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black leads his Democrat challenger Fred Swann with 53.27 percent to Swann’s 46.73.
U.S. Rep. Doug Collins
Incumbent Republican State School Superintendent Richard Woods has won 53.21 percent of the vote to Otha Thornton’s 46.79.
Another incumbent Republican, Labor Commissioner Mark Butler leads Richard Keatley 52.68 percent to 47.32.
Republican Jim Beck leads a three-way race against Democrat Janice Laws and Libertarian Donnie Fowler. Beck has won 50.56 percent to Laws’ 46.79. Fowler has received 2.6.
Fetch Your News will update these results when they become official.
Dawson Co. casts 7,036 votes during early voting
News, Politics November 2, 2018
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – Pollsters say high turnouts in Georgia’s rural counties will benefit Secretary of State Brian Kemp in his campaign against Democrat Stacey Abrams to become the state’s next governor. Early voting ended Friday and if Dawson County is a barometer, the Republican is in great shape.
Dawson County Chief Voter Registrar Glenda Ferguson reported more than 4,000 new voters have registered since the last midterm election in 2014 and 7,036 voted during the three-day, in-person advanced voting period this year, compared to only 3,264 in 2014.
The two candidates are setting fundraising records, with Kemp reporting nearly $21 million compared to Abrams. However, as of Oct. 25, Abrams had $4.2 million remaining, compared to Abrams $3.9 million. That could be a significant in a race that most say, at this point, is too close to call.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Kemp bus tour starts in Dawsonville Monday
News, Politics September 30, 2018
DAWSONVILE, Ga. – Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp will kick off his 27-day, across-the-state, “Putting Georgians First” bus tour in Dawson County Monday morning.
Kemp will greet supporters at 8:30 am. at John Megel Chevrolet, 1392 Ga. Hwy. 400 South to start a busy week of connecting Georgia voters.
In announcing the tour, Kemp said, “I look forward to sharing my story, vision, and plan to grow jobs, lower taxes and healthcare costs, strengthen rural Georgia, invest in public education, protect HOPE, and keep Georgia families safe on the Putting Georgians First Bus Tour. As governor, I will work around the clock to ensure that our best days are always ahead.”
That Dawsonville stop will be followed by Monday appearances in Pickens County (10 a.m.), Fannin County (noon), Gilmer County (2 p.m.), Murray County (3:30 p.m.) and Whitfield County (5:30 p.m.).
In the race, which promises to be one of the most visible in the nation, there is a stark difference in the two candidates. Georgia House Speaker David Ralston said, Georgians are going to have the clearest choice that they’ve probably ever had in the general election for election for the office of governor.”
Kemp’s opponent is Democrat Stacey Abrams, a far left-wing Yale law school graduate who supports a strict ban on assault rifles, expanding medicaid and demands the carvings of Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson be sandblasted from Stone Mountain.
Kemp defines his opponent as a liberal who is “backed by billionaires and socialists who want to make Georgia into California.”
Kemp, a populist and strong supporter of President Donald Trump, says the governor’s race is a battle for “literally the soul of our state.” He supports lowering taxes and strengthening rural counties and opposes stricter gun control and wants to “round up criminal illegals” and have them deported.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Raffensperger wins nomination for Secretary of State
Election, Election 2018 July 24, 2018
Blue Ridge, Ga. – Brad Raffensperger has defeated David Belle Isle in the July Runoff Election.
Raffensperger and Belle Isle vied for the Republican nomination to seek the seat of Georgia Secretary of State. The Secretary of State seat is open with no incumbent as current Secretary of State Brian Kemp moves forward in the gubernatorial race.
With all 159 counties reporting, Raffensperger was able to receive 61.76 percent of the vote while Belle Isle fell short only receiving 38.24 percent.
Raffensperger will move forward to the November General Election where he will face Democratic nominee John Barrow.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month in Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and reaches between 15,000 to 60,000 per week on our Facebook page. For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or email us at [email protected]
Kemp wins GOP nomination in a landslide
Election 2018, News July 24, 2018
ATLANTA, Ga. – A bruising, no-holds-barred campaign between Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and Secretary of State Brian Kemp for the Republican nomination for governor ended in the equivalent of an election night knockout with Kemp the winner.
With 78 percent of the vote tallied, Kemp more than doubled Cagle’s vote total with 356,205 to 156,592. Cagle conceded the race early in the evening.
For months, the Gainesville native was the heavy favorite. Endorsed by the NRA and an army of state legislators, he received 40 percent of the vote in the May 22 primary to Kemp’s 25 percent. Last week, he received the long-awaited endorsement of Governor Nathan Deal.
But Kemp landed a mighty one-two punch combination that shook Cagle and the lieutenant governor never recovered.
The first blow was a secret recording in which Cagle admitted he pushed a bill for private school scholarships through the state legislature, even though it was bad “a thousand different ways.” The recording showed Cagle pushed the bill in order to keep another primary opponent, Hunter Hill, from receiving a $3 million donation away from a political action committee.
Then, Kemp received a full-throated endorsement from the President Donald Trump, who tweeted, “Brian is tough on crime, strong on the border and illegal immigration. He loves our Military and our Vets and protects our Second Amendment. I give him my full and total endorsement.”
And, on Sunday, Vice President Mike Pence stumped with Kemp.
“It didn’t end the way we wanted,” Cagle told his disappointed supporters. “But I am the most blessed man alive. I will be there to support Brian because I want to see him succeed.”
Kemp will now turn his attention to the general election Nov. 6 when he will face Democrat Stacey Abrams.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Kemp Chooses the High Road After Cagle Fires False Runoff Attacks
FYNTV, News, Politics, State & National June 7, 2018
Exclusive Interview this morning on FYNtv.com with Candidate for Governor Brian Kemp, and where he stands on the attacks of the Cagle Campaign, against him.
Join us on #GMFTO every weekday starting at 8AM! We will be featuring Fetch Your News FYNTV.com TV personality #BKP and his political opinion, and #AnythingGoes ! Have a question, comment, or want to be on the show? Call or text 706-889-9700 !
Kemp tells the NRA they have been “Casey Cagled”
Election 2018, Featured Stories, Politics, State & National April 6, 2018
BLUE RIDGE, Ga. – Secretary of State of the U.S. State of Georgia and Republican Governor hopeful Brian Kemp accused the Lieutenant Governor of Georgia Casey Cagle of a political stunt and pandering for endorsements.
As the the Georgia Gubernatorial race heats up so do the accusations and claims of who really represents the people and who is running a self-serving campaign.
One such accusation came earlier this week as Kemp sent an email to top NRA lobbyist Christopher Cox telling Cox that the NRA has been “Casey Cagled”.
On Feb. 26 Cagle released a tweet firmly stating, “”I will kill any tax legislation that benefits @Delta unless the company changes its position and fully reinstates its relationship with @NRA.”
Cagle then added, “Corporations cannot attack conservatives and expect us not to fight back.”
A mere two days later, a state Senate committee removed the jet fuel perk from the broad tax bill, and on March 1, the Senate passed a tax bill, with a 44-10 vote that still eliminated this jet fuel tax break.
According to Kemp’s letter, Cagle’s Tweet and the action taken in the state Senate are nothing more than a political show: “That sounds real good. But there’s one big problem with it. The NRA is getting played.”
Recent legislation passed by both the House and the Senate of Georgia paint a different picture of Cagle’s true stance, according to Kemp.
Kemp urged the NRA to look into HB930: “Please have your team review HB930 from this past legislative session. It passed on the last day (aka Sine Die). It is a legislative package to expand mass transit in Georgia, especially in the metro Atlanta area in which Hartsfield-Jackson Airport is located. ”
As promised by Cagle, this bill does not include the jet fuel tax break that Delta Airlines had hoped to recieve, but it does include a tax break of another kind that could greatly benefit the airline company.
Kemp claims the new legislation grants airlines at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport an exemption from a local transportation sales tax, known as Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST).
Section of HB930 describing exemptions for airlines.
“As those of us involved in Georgia politics like to say…..you’ve been “Casey Cagled”. He tells you one thing while cutting secret deals to help Delta down the line,” Kemp stated of his opponent.
Cagle’s campaign manager Scott Binkley replied to these alligations, “The only way this helps Delta is if it lands a 747 in Gwinnett or Cobb County regional airports.”
The Cagle campaign says that the legislation only extends exemptions for sales tax on jet fuels if Cobb and Gwinnett counties were to raise sales tax to join MARTA. According to Cagle’s campaign this in no way affects the Delta Hub located in Clayton County.
With Cagle tweeting one agenda and passing another, Kemp feels that there is only one conclusion: “The facts are the facts. Delta benefits in the near future from this legislation that Cagle supported.”
FetchYourNews is talking with the NRA to gather their opion of the email sent by Kemp and their stance on the recently passed Georgia HB930.
Full Letter From Brian Kemp to Chris Cox:
Chris,
As you know, I am a Republican candidate for Governor of Georgia. My opponent Casey Cagle made quite a spectacle trashing Delta Airlines this legislative session trying to show he is a strong supporter of the NRA. I’m quite sure he has been pushing for, if not demanding, your endorsement now that the session is done.
He has probably brought up to you and others this tweet:
Casey Cagle ✔@CaseyCagle
I will kill any tax legislation that benefits @Delta unless the company changes its position and fully reinstates its relationship with @NRA. Corporations cannot attack conservatives and expect us not to fight back.
That sounds real good. But there’s one big problem with it.
The NRA is getting played.
Please have your team review HB930 from this past legislative session. It passed on the last day (aka Sine Die). It is a legislative package to expand mass transit in Georgia, especially in the metro Atlanta area in which Hartsfield-Jackson Airport is located.
This legislation does not include the comprehensive jet fuel tax break that Delta Airlines sought earlier in the year, but it does grant to airlines at Hartsfield (notably Delta) an exemption from a local transportation sales tax known as TSPLOST that Clayton County may levy in the near future.
Clayton County is where Hartsfield Jackson airport is primarily located. The exemption applies to any airport that has more than 750,000 takeoffs and landings per year. In Georgia, the only airport that qualifies is Hartsfield Jackson.
As those of us involved in Georgia politics like to say…..you’ve been “Casey Cagled”.
He tells you one thing while cutting secret deals to help Delta down the line.
I know that Cagle’s team will throw all sorts of confusing jargon and legislative baloney at you trying to deny this. It’s complicated legislation that they will undoubtedly try to make more complicated when they explain it to you.
But the facts are the facts. Delta benefits in the near future from this legislation that Cagle supported.
Chris, I have been a member of the NRA for many years. I hunt, fish, and carry. I have served in the State Senate and have a rock solid voting record on 2nd Amendment issues. Most importantly, I will tell you where I stand and I don’t waver. I do what I say in everything that I do.
In stark contrast, the record of what you get with Casey Cagle is crystal clear.
If you are interested in having someone in this important office who believes as you do and will not play these kind of games, I welcome your support and ask for your endorsement.
Thanks for your time and consideration.
Brian Kemp
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month in Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and reaches between 15,000 to 60,000 per week on our Facebook page. For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or email us at [email protected]
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Early-voting turnout triples 2014 midterm election
Election 2018, News October 21, 2018
Glenda Ferguson
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – Voters all across Georgia raced to polling places in what appears to be record numbers during the first week of in-person, early voting last week and Dawson County was no exception.
Statewide, nearly three times as many people (482,435) voted last week compared with the last midterm election according to a report by the Atlanta-Journal Constitution.
Dawson County Director of Elections and Registration Glenda Ferguson said 560 voters turned out Friday, closing out a week in which 2,328 voters cast early ballots compared to only 725 during the first week of the 2014 midterm election.
It is difficult to say whether Dawson County voters are more motivated by what appears to be a very close and increasingly bitter race between Republican Brian Kemp and Democrat Stacey Abrams for governor or national issues like control of the U.S. House and Senate, illegal immigration and the farcical hearing for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
In-person early voting in Georgia will continue for two more weeks until Nov. 2, including at least one Saturday Oct. 27. Election Day is Nov. 6 when polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
The website Georgia Votes reports that about 61 percent of early voters so far are white and 29 percent are black. Almost 30 percent of early voters didn’t cast a ballot in 2014.
Despite the large number of voters, Ferguson said voting went smoothly all five days with very few glitches.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Kemp defeats Cagle for Republican nomination
Election, Election 2018 July 24, 2018
Blue Ridge, Ga. – After a heated runoff race, the results are in and Georgia’s Secretary of State Brian Kemp has beat out opponent Lt. Governor Casey Cagle for the Republican nomination.
What was polled as a tight race between the two candidates ended up being what some would consider a landslide victory for Kemp. Kemp received 69.46 percent of the vote statewide with Cagle pulling in 30.54 percent.
Kemp will now face the Democratic nominee Stacey Abrams for the seat of Georgia Governor.
Abrams and Kemp are not strangers, as they have gone head to head over election issues while Kemp has served as Secretary of State.
“All of these liberal groups that are going to be in play in Georgia supporting her (Abrams), I’ve fought,” Kemp said about his past experiences with Abrams.
Citing that he has already faced George Soros, Eric Holder, Thomas Perez, Common Cause Georgia and New Georgia Project, Kemp is confident that he can beat them again.
Kemp explained where some of these groups came into conflict with the Secretary of State office, “They sued us and several counties saying that we weren’t registering voters, 10 different counts. Then they wanted us to settle. I wouldn’t do it. I made them go to court and we won all 10 cases.”
“I know what’s coming,” Kemp said about his preparation for proceeding in the gubernatorial race. “I know how to fight.”
Duncan wins tightest race in July Runoff
Election, Election 2018 July 24, 2018
Blue Ridge, Ga. – Geoff Duncan narrowly beats out David Shafer in the July Runoff Election.
In what was by far the closest race to take place during the runoff, Duncan beat out Shaffer by a mere 1672 votes. In some precincts across the state this race showed wins by a margin of only 2 votes.
Duncan and Shafer vied for the Republican nomination to seek the seat of Georgia Lt. Governor. The Lt. Governor seat is open with no incumbent as current Lt. Governor Casey Cagle chose to throw his name in the hat for the Republican nomination in the gubernatorial race.
With all 159 counties reporting, Duncan was able to receive 50.15 percent of the vote while Shafer fell short receiving 49.85 percent.
Duncan will move forward to the November General Election where he will face Democratic nominee Sarah Riggs Amico.
Cagle attacks Kemp in ad saying he owes millions
Election 2018, Politics May 31, 2018
BLUE RIDGE, Ga. – “Brian Kemp. Incompetent. Untrustworthy.” Lt. Governor Casey Cagle takes aim at Secretary of State Brian Kemp as Georgia’s Gubernatorial Race heats up in a runoff between the two candidates.
Kemp does not deny his involvement in the company in question, Hart AgStrong, but contends that Cagle is distorting the facts to present a false representation of Kemp’s values and abilities.
“Desperate politicians like Casey Cagle say the dumbest, most ignorant things when they see power and prestige slipping through their fingers,” Ryan Mahoney, Campaign Manager for Brian Kemp, stated about the new ad.
Hart AgStrong began operations as a small canola crushing facility in Bowersville, Ga., in 2009. In 2014 the company expanded and built a second plant in Kentucky.
According to an article from The Progressive Farmer this move to Kentucky was met with the company receiving a $450,000 tax incentive for job creation from the Kentucky Business Investment Program.
The article goes on to say, “More than three years later, Hart AgStrong’s license to buy grain directly from farmers has been suspended in Kentucky because the small crushing company still owes farmers roughly $2.5 million on what they were supposed to receive on last year’s crop that was delivered to the Trenton crush facility.”
Kemp remains steadfast in the fact that he is merely an investor in Hart AgStrong, as well as several other small companies, and has never been involved in the company’s day-to-day operations.
According to a press release from Kemp’s campaign, “Since investing in Hart AgStrong, the company has experienced highs and lows – just like many small businesses through Georgia.”
There is acknowledgement that these debts are due and Hart AgStrong’s CFO wrote letters to farmers in 2016 explaining issues causing the delayed payments. The letter apologized and stated that the company was working to correct the situation.
As of March 2017, farmers had still not received restitution.
The ad released by Cagle further stated that Kemp was in default on $700,000 in loans that he and other investors personally guaranteed.
According to an article on Politically Georgia two lawsuits have been filed in this matter. Mattaniah Limited Partnership, a Florida-based investment firm, said in a federal lawsuit that it loaned nearly $280,000 to Hart AgStrong in April 2014. The borrowers failed to pay a quarterly payment in September 2015 and have been in default since December 2015.
A second complaint was filed by RLP Investments in Stephens County Superior Court. The company claims to have loaned $500,000 to Kemp and a business partner in 2016, and is seeking repayment of the full amount plus interest.
According to the Kemp campaign one of these suits has recently been settled.
“Brian Kemp started his first business over thirty years ago with a pick-up truck and a shovel. Since then, he has invested in start-ups throughout our state that have created jobs for hundreds of hardworking Georgians,” Kemp Campaign manager Mahoney says of Kemp’s record.
Mahoney adds, “While Kemp was contributing to the local economy, Casey Cagle was flying high on state airplanes, cruising around to campaign events with his state car and State Trooper, and billing taxpayers for his extravagant lifestyle.”
Cagle’s Campaign manager Scott Binkley says, “Brian Kemp can’t run on his record during his two decades as a politician and he can’t run on his record in business, so he’s built a campaign on gimmicks.”
“He can get away with recklessly destroying his daughters’ dating prospects,” Binkley said expanding on the need in airing the new ad, “but we can’t let him get away with hiding his career of incompetence from Georgia voters. We’re going to set the record straight on InKempetence.”
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month in Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and reaches between 15,000 to 60,000 per week on our Facebook page. For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or email us at [email protected]
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Casey Cagle receives NRA endorsement
Election 2018, Featured, News, Politics April 13, 2018
BLUE RIDGE, Ga. – The National Rifle Association (NRA) announces its pick for Georgia’s next Governor, and released that the association would officially be backing Casey Cagle. Not all Republican candidates are happy with the NRA’s decision.
Casey Cagle receives NRA endorsement.
With more than 100,000 active members in the state of Georgia, the NRA’s endorsement is sure to pull some weight in the upcoming May General Primary.
Earning an A+ rating from the NRA for each year that he has served in office, this is not the first time that Cagle has been endorsed by the organization.
“Gun ownership is a right that Georgians take seriously, and the NRA endorsement is the gold standard in our state,” Cagle said explaining his enthusiasm for receiving this endorsement. “I’m an avid outdoorsman, and I taught all three of my boys how to hunt, shoot and respect firearms. That’s an American legacy that I want to see handed down to my grandchildren and to the generations that follow them.”
“I’m honored and excited to have the NRA’s support because its cause is one that I share and that I have fought for,” Cagle continued. “I’m a lifetime member of the NRA, and I’m proud of my unwavering record for the Second Amendment. Like the NRA, I believe the framers of the Constitution meant what they said when they wrote that the right to bear arms shall not be infringed.”
Having already received backing from Educators First and the Georgia Realtors, the NRA endorsement makes a third announcement of support for Cagle this week.
The NRA endorsement comes on the heels of Secretary of State of the U.S. State of Georgia and Republican Governor hopeful Brian Kemp sending an email to a top NRA lobbyist, Christopher Cox, concerning Cagle’s true allegiance to the organization.
In regards to Cagle’s stance on Delta Airlines and recent Georgia legislation passed, Kemp stated in the email, “The NRA is getting played.”
Kemp added, “As those of us involved in Georgia politics like to say…..you’ve been “Casey Cagled”.”
Brian Kemp shared his thoughts with FetchYourNews on the recent announcement from the NRA: “The 2nd Amendment is not a talking point to me. It’s a way of life. I shoot, hunt, and carry – because we have the right to protect ourselves and defend our families from harm. As governor, I won’t compromise or play games for political gain.”
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month in Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and reaches between 15,000 to 60,000 per week on our Facebook page. For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or email us at [email protected]
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Georgia gubernatorial candidate visits FYNTV
Election, Politics February 20, 2018BKP interviews Georgia candidate for governor and Secretary of State Brian Kemp. Among many topics, Kemp discusses immigration, Georgia voting machines, paper ballots, pay for law enforcement, and Kemp’s opinion of the negotiations to bring Amazon HQ2 for Georgia.
Casey Cagle’s Reprehensible Acts, The Michael Williams Press Conference that missed the Target
Featured, Politics July 18, 2017
“The Die Has Been Cast”
Swing and a miss, strike two. State Senator Michael Williams now has two strikes against him with the media in his quest to be the next Governor of Georgia.
Williams’ first strike was at the State GOP convention when he announced in a speech that a member from Lt. Governor Casey Cagle’s campaign team approached him backstage and offered him a deal to get out of the Governor’s race. In his speech at the GOP convention Williams claimed in front of 1500 people that he was offered the Chairmanship of the Appropriations Committee if he would get out of the race. He never named the individual with Cagle’s team who made the offer in the backroom deal. An accusation with no name leaving the media hanging. Strike one.
Williams’ press conference last Thursday at the Capitol was strike two.
Williams sent out an invite last Wednesday announcing a press conference he would be holding at the Capitol Thursday afternoon. The invitation stated he would be revealing the reprehensible acts of Lt. Governor Casey Cagle.
The press conference was scheduled for 2PM and Williams was 30 minutes late. The press conference only lasted twelve minutes. I attended this press conference and from memory the only thing I got out of it was ‘campaign Casey, a member of Casey Cagle’s team, offered him a committee chairmanship to get out of the race. Angered that Cagle may have out maneuvered him on minimum wage for Sheriff deputies, Willams directly asked Cagle to get out of the race and something about “tying shoes”.
The media pressed Williams to give the name of who from Cagle’s team offered him the chairmanship. Williams’ only response was, ‘not at this time.’ I asked him the final question of the press conference, “did you not say that it was a member of Cagle’s team?” Williams said, “correct.” And I asked, “and you’re not prepared to give us who that is”? Williams: “no”. Williams then told everyone to have a nice day and walked off taking no more questions.
Williams held up a copy of SB 254 entitled: Minimum annual salary for each deputy appointed by each Sheriff; provide; Local Law Enforcement Officer Compensation Commission.
Senators Greg Kirk and Josh McKoon co-sponsored the bill along with Williams. Williams claims that Cagle is the reason the bill went nowhere during the past legislative session. Maybe Williams thought this would be his strongest campaign issue. This could show he is the true friend of law enforcement in the campaign.
In May Cagle announced along with Greg Kirk the Compensation of Police and Sheriffs Task Force. Statement released by the Lt. Governor’s office, “The service and dedication of our law enforcement officials is nothing short of heroic,” said Lt. Governor Cagle. “We must make every effort to ensure local compensation packages are both competitive and fair to those who protect and serve. COPS will help local governments identify ways to maximize their support for the men and women who bravely protect our communities and neighborhoods.”
Kirk, one of Williams’ co-sponsors gone and with the other Josh McKoon running for Secretary of State he may not have any backup concerning his claim that Cagle killed the bill.
Recently Cagle commented about a possible sheriff deputy minimum wage. He has not gone into any detail though.
This week is the Sheriffs’ Association’s Summer Conference where each candidate will get a chance to address the Association.
Brian Kemp, Hunter Hill, Michael Williams and Casey Cagle will have their chance to make their pitch. You can forget this week which one is the true conservative, cause this week all you will hear is ‘I am the true friend of law enforcement’, {no} ‘I’m the true friend of law enforcement,’ {no} ……
My suspicion is that the Sheriffs’ Association will support whomever they think will be best able to get something done for them when it comes to minimum wage for deputies. If that turns out to be Cagle then that may mean Williams has been totally out maneuvered on the issue and SB 254 could turn out to be, as a campaign issue for Williams, no more than good initiative/poor judgment.
You can understand Williams’ frustration. If Cagle gets almost every Sheriff in the state to actively campaign for him that is big. Really big. Maybe that is the ‘reprehensible’ act.
But, Williams’ shoe tying comment directed toward Casey Cagle was a ‘low blow’ no pun intended. Williams experienced several personal attacks especially during his first State Senate race. The rumors are already flying and emails being sent concerning Williams’ past. Maybe Williams’ comment was a subtle warning not to go personal. It’s disappointing this early in the campaign that things are taking a dirty turn rather than staying focused on the issues.
The voters of Georgia may want to hear about issues like casino gambling, rural economic development, tax reform, healthcare, infrastructure…… not who can tie their own shoes.
I feel Williams’ gets one more strike with the media. I can only speak for myself. If he calls another press conference I will attend. Williams has to make good on his claims of reprehensible acts by Cagle soon or that will be strike three and he will lose his credibility. It’s a long time until election day and Williams will need the media to take him serious to help get his message out.
Kemp and Hill have not commented on the Williams’ attacks of Casey Cagle. They both seem to be able to keep their campaigns focused on the issues and not the dirt for the time being. Odds are they will have to join the mud pit before the race is over.
Michael Williams was the first Georgia politician holding a state office to support Donald Trump for President. Williams is attempting to run a Donald Trump-style campaign. There’s only one problem, he is not Donald Trump.
Trump never held public office. He had no legislative voting track record. He could run against Washington D.C. and the Media.
Williams has a State Senate voting record. During his first two years in the State Senate his voting record looks like he was working well with the Republican Establishment. His third year looks more like someone preparing to run for governor.
I am not questioning Williams’ conservative credentials, just the direction his campaign is headed. If you going to demand Casey Cagle get out of the race, it’s time to give the reason why with the facts.