By: Russell Dye
A few weeks ago, I attended the Cobb County Republican Party Independence Day Celebration. The fireworks at this Fourth of July celebration did not come from cheap Walmart sparklers, but rather the voices of the four 2014 Georgia Republican Senate candidates: U.S. Representatives Phil Gingrey, Paul Broun, Jack Kingston, and former Secretary of State Karen Handel. These four candidates were accompanied by other big names such as the Governor Nathan Deal, Lt. Governor Casey Cagle, and Secretary of State Brian Kemp.
There was a brief service where Governor Deal spoke for a few minutes, but the main attractions of the event were definitely the speeches given by the four Senate candidates and the straw poll that followed. Each candidate was allowed to speak freely and openly; trying to distinguish one’s self from this extremely conservative group was the main problem that most of the candidates faced. How would each candidate present himself to Georgia conservatives in a GOP hotbed such as Cobb County? Well, surprisingly there were many different ideas present.
Congressman Paul Broun, representing Georgia’s 10th Congressional District that encompasses areas such as Athens, Milledgeville, and Winder, was first to take the stage. He touted his staunch conservatism and marked himself as one of the only true conservatives in Georgia and Congress. He pegged himself as a military man, the only veteran in the group, who would fight for American liberties and freedoms. Now we all know that Congressman Broun has had his questionable moments as well, but would that really hurt him in such a conservative area such as Cobb County and Georgia?
Congressman Jack Kingston was up next. Representing Georgia’s 1st congressional district, comprised of areas such as of Brunswick, Saint Mary’s, and parts of Valdosta, Congressman Kingston is the only candidate in the race from south of Georgia’s fall line. Kingston touted himself as a normal guy, relating the stories of his childhood to the attendees. Representing an area composed of four military bases, Politico recently declared him the winner of coveted support from Georgia’s defense and military contractors despite being declared the most moderate candidate of the bunch. Kingston could be a surprise in the race, especially because of his South Georgia ties and ability to distinguish and separate himself from the three other Metro-Atlanta candidates, even if it is only by geography in some people’s eyes. Could his South Georgia ties to agriculture and defense propel him forward as the dark-horse of the race?
Former Secretary of State Karen Handel followed. This fiery candidate is hoping to win the favor of conservative women and others as well. A former gubernatorial candidate and Vice President of the Susan G. Komen Foundation, Handel presents an interesting twist to the race. She wins people over with her down-to-earth attitude and her ability to succeed in the private sector as seen in her time spent as President of Fulton County’s Chamber of Commerce. Yet, could the drama of her 2010 gubernatorial run and her extremely confusing and dramatic exit from the Susan G. Komen foundation play as a harming factor in her Senate bid, or will it only help her more?
Congressman Phil Gingrey was last to speak, and he was not shy about it. Representing his 11th congressional district, comprised of areas such as Marietta, Cartersville, and Woodstock, Gingrey was practically speaking in his own backyard. Earlier in the day Congressman Kinston stated that he would support any conservative candidate in the general election no matter if he did not win the primary – giving way for Congressman Gingrey’s opening statement where he took a jab at Kingston by stating “I want to thank Jack for saying he would support me after I win the primary.” This statement was taken with a few laughs and a few startled faces, but alas Gingrey spoke on. As you would expect, he touted himself as a staunch pro-life, pro-gun, and pro-traditional marriage conservative. This was not shocking, especially after his rather head-turning statements made earlier in the year; however, Gingrey faces a few problems. How will he be able to distinguish himself from the likes of Broun and Handel? Also, how will he be able to answer to agricultural community, Georgia’s number one industry, as to his choice to vote “no” on the farm bill and in doing so making himself the only GOP Georgia Congressman to vote in such a way?
The straw poll came after the candidates gave their speeches. The results for first place were not surprising with Gingrey winning 40 percent of the vote. If he had not won, Congressman Gingrey would have probably been in some big trouble, considering that Cobb County is his home district. Broun finished second with 23 percent of the vote. Handel finished third with 19 percent. Kingston finished in a close last to Handel with 18 percent.
This was one of the first big-time events in which all four candidates faced each other directly. Each candidate is clearly working towards the cherished Senate seat. While Kingston and Gingrey are certainly leading the fundraising campaign so far, the race is on in Georgia. As to who will win? Right now I have no earthly idea, but I do know that the barbecue and fireworks at the event were simply fantastic.
