Politics & Government

PATCH VOICES: In Governor's Race, Georgia Needs a Republican Who Upholds Party's Principles

'The Georgia Republican Party should hold Republican elected officials accountable to limited government, less taxes, less regulations, less spending, and an open and transparent government.'

by David Pennington

Over the last several days, you may have seen some very disturbing articles about incumbent Gov. Nathan Deal and members of the Georgia Republican Party. You may have also seen an email from Gov. Deal's attorney, Randy Evans.

You need to see the articles and email for yourself.

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Georgians were very upset when they learned some time ago that Governor Nathan Deal had taken special interest money into his campaign to pay for his personal ethics lawyers. 

Fact: This email communication from the Governor's attorney defending his client and sent out by the Georgia Republican Party is unprecedented, unethical, and a violation of GAGOP rules.

Fact: The Governor's attorney opened his statement in the email with: "Next year, Georgians will re-elect Nathan Deal."

Well, I'm a businessman, not a mind-reader; but it sure appears to me that Mr. Evans is ignoring the facts that there are other Republican candidates in next year's race and that it is the Republican primary voters who will decide our party's nominee, not the incumbent Governor's retained legal counsel.

Fact: The Center for Public Integrity ranks Georgia dead last in its annual Corruption Risk Report Card, and Republicans have been in complete control of the Georgia legislature and Governor's mansion since 2004.

Across the country, Republican voters are showing that they are tired of establishment candidates who hide behind a party label to increase spending, raise taxes, and make government bigger. Republican voters are voting for challengers, rather than defending established incumbents, because some challengers actually stand for principles and, when elected, hold themselves accountable to such principles.

If we are going to defeat Democrats across the country and if we are going to defeat Jason Carter in next year's election, we need to stand for the "principles" of the Republican Party.

We need to present voters a Republican candidate who stands for limited government, lower taxes, less regulations, spending cuts, and an open and transparent government.

And, if we are going to ensure Georgia doesn't turn into a blue state - we need to hold Republican elected officials accountable for failing to adhere to these principles. No longer can Georgia Republicans defend reckless spending, increased taxes, and failed economic policies that are harming our families and neighbors.

Georgia Republicans should no longer continue blasting Democrats for ethical problems while turning a blind eye to ethically-challenged Republicans.

And, most importantly, Georgia Republican Party officials should adhere to the GAGOP bylaws and not attempt to shield embattled incumbents from the ballot box - particularly those non-principled, establishment candidates who are Republicans In Name Only.

That is exactly what happened this week, when an e-mail was sent out and paid for by the Georgia Republican Party.

If you want a Georgia Republican Party that adheres to its bylaws, send an email to Mr. Evans and another email to John Padgett that our party resources should not be given to hired guns doing all they can to shield their legal client from public scrutiny, legal problems, FBI investigations, and most importantly the accountability of the ballot box.

If you agree that the Georgia Republican Party should hold Republican elected officials accountable to limited government, less taxes, less regulations, less spending, and an open and transparent government - sign my petition at: http://form.jotform.us/form/33466317004145.

Thank you in advance for signing the petition.

Mr. Pennington, a Republican, is running for Georgia Governor.


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