In context: More decisions are being made about the vacancy due as Tom Graves exits the U.S. House in December. Ben Bullock of Dallas, Kyle Perkins and now Kevin Cooke of Carrollton are the latest declared Republican candidate, joining Dr. John Cowan, Clayton Fuller and Majorie Taylor Greene. From a media release: Ben Bullock, a… Read more
The backroom at Fuddruckers on Riverside Parkway has played host to numerous youth sports awards banquets, bridal showers, birthday parties and an extra heavy dose of political meetings. It was just about standing-room-only on Tuesday as the Rome TEA Party welcomed the Republican candidates for Floyd County Sheriff — Tom Caldwell, Ronnie Kilgo and… Read more
THE LATEST The Floyd County 2A Sanctuary County Rally has been moved to the Coosa Valley Fairgrounds. Organizer Chris Ashley says “interest in the rally has grown beyond the capacity of the original venue” at the American Legion Farm in Armuchee. The rally begins at 1 p.m. and look for a strong turnout from area candidates… Read more
With a little over four months until the May 19 primary (sooner with advance voting), we’re quickly seeing the ballot come together. You’ll find a snapshot below as well as key dates in this election year. What’s interesting: At least three races on the Republcan primary ballot in May will be huge with two likely… Read more
Media release: Sen. Chuck Hufstetler (R – Rome) introduced a bill to address surprise billing in the healthcare industry. Senate Bill 293, the “Balance Billing Consumer Protection Act,” would help protect consumers from unexpected charges that may accrue when a patient receiving service from an out-of-network provider through an established price database and system… Read more
In context: A week ago today, there was an elephant in the room. That’s not a play on party politics — the room was the meeting area of Red Lobster on Shorter Avenue in Rome. The Floyd County Republican Women were meeting and the scheduled speakers were the three GOP hopefuls for sheriff. But… Read more
Republican Wright Bagby announces he will seek a second four-year term on the Floyd County Commission, Post 2. His announcement follows: “Today, I announce my bid for a second term on the Floyd County Board of Commissioners. Over the past three years, the Board of Commissioners has worked together as team for the betterment of… Read more
Those famous Red Lobster biscuits weren’t the only things in demand at lunchtime on Tuesday. Available seats in the meeting room also were at a premium as members of the Floyd County Repubican Women greeted an overflow crowd to hear from GOP sheriff’s hopefuls Tom Caldwell, Ronnie Kilgo and Dave Roberson. Guests who usually arrive… Read more
Make that U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler, R-Ga. Kelly Loeffler was sworn in as a United States’ senator by Vice President Mike Pence on Monday afternoon, completing a cycle that started with Johnny Isakson’s announcement that he’d be resigning as Georegia’s senior senator effective Dec. 31 because of escalating health issues. Among the first to post… Read more
Monday: U.S. House race to heat up? Wednesday’s surprise entry by Clayton Fuller, a Lookout Mountain Republican, has energized the race. Plus some recent rumblings on other potential candidates for the 14th Congressional District included reports that one could make his official entry into the race on Monday. The latest now: He won’t run. Also,… Read more
In context: Add Floyd County Clerk of Superior Court to the list of contested seats in the May 19 primary. Former Police Lt. Joe Costolnick, now executive director of Harbor House, announces he is running for the post. Seeking a new term will be Republican incumbent Barbara Penson. Says Penson: “I have things to attend to… Read more
In context: The race for the 14th Congressional District seat in Congress is joined. Majorie Greene already has announced plans to enter the race and another candidate is expected to do so on Monday. But on New Year’s Day, a Northwest Georgia candidate with direct ties to the White House jumped into the race:… Read more
37-minute video pays tribute to retiring U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson: “In his 45-year public service career spanning from the Georgia general assembly to the U.S. Senate, U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., has made a lasting impact on countless areas of public policy. As he prepares to leave the Senate on Dec. 31, much of Isakson’s… Read more
By Natalie Simms nsimmshh@att.net On Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga) will step down, ending a 45-year career in state and national politics where he holds the distinction of being the only Georgian to ever have been elected to the state House, state Senate, U.S. House and U.S. Senate. In August, citing increasing health challenges, Isakson… Read more
Georgia Congressman John Lewis announced Sunday that he is battling stage IV pancreatic cancer. Lewis, 79, was first elected to the U.S. House in 1986 and has served as a Georgia statesman since. (Bio) The news comes as his good friend, U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., prepares to retire from the Senate on Tuesday because… Read more
Two years ago next month, Tim Burkhalter ignited what was supposed to be the race of 2020: Floyd County’s next sheriff. The popular four-term sheriff joined us on radio to state he would not seek a fifth term and, just about as quickly, three candidates raised their hand on the Republican side with a… Read more
Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene has ended her bid for the Sixth Congressional District, now seeking seat held by Graves: In a series of tweets Friday morning, Greene formally turned her focus on the 14th Congressional District including Floyd, Gordon, Polk and Chattooga counties. Perhaps the key note to any challengers in the Alpharetta businesswoman’s announcement:… Read more
THE LATEST The AJC has some interesting chatter on the Graves’ announcement aftermath. Speculation that Tom Graves might run for the U.S. Senate seat Johnny Isakson leaves Dec. 31; Kelly Loeffler takes office Jan. 1 but will have to run in November for the final two years of Isakson’s term. Who might run for the… Read more