Some Establishment people are really biting on sour grapes.
Blogger Elliot Pierce posted a hit piece a few days ago that appeared on various online forums and printed local newspapers in the Northwest Georgia community. In it, he complains about some of the GRA’s officers, and GRA-endorsed GA GOP Chairman David Shafer. He decries how some GOP officers, who also happen to be GRA members and GRA officers, worked personally to help certain Republicans in contested primaries win the Republican nomination. While he complains about “bias,” he neglects to mention his own biases and preference for Democrats over conservative Republicans. (See more on that below.)
Elliot Pierce published Joanna Hildreth’s conversation about promoting a group of candidates—which is not against GOP rules. However, Mr. Pierce failed to share with readers in the piece his threat to vote for Stacey Abrams, and his efforts to stand against candidates like Marjorie Taylor Greene—who has high support from the voters in her district and the GRA. He was actually even encouraging Democrats to mobilize against the Republican Congresswoman Greene!
The Georgia Republican Assembly’s (GRA) primary goal is to live up to its reputation as “the Conscience of the Republican Party.” To do this, we must be involved in selecting and supporting honorable candidates who align with the GRA’s Principles and Goals. Thankfully, contrary to Pierce’s misleading reporting, the GA GOP rules do not prohibit GOP officers from personally supporting candidates in contested primaries.
The “sour grapes” piece in particular complains about our GRA Secretary Joanna Hildreth, who is also the local Catoosa County GOP Chair, and our GRA Assistant Secretary Denise Burns, who is also the 14th Congressional District GOP Chair. Pierce doesn’t like that they worked behind-the-scenes (not using their titles in the GOP) to help stellar candidates such as Colton Moore, Mitchell Horner, and Marjorie Taylor Greene to win their Republican nominations in their races.
In fact, Joanna Hildreth and Denise Burns were already known to be officers of the GRA when they were elected officers of the GOP. While Mr. Pierce has suggested that these GOP officers are biased and lack impartiality, the fact is, we must vet all candidates, sifting their background against our principles and values—selecting the best, most qualified candidates for the good of our Republic.
The GRA is calling on all GOP officials to guard our party from Democrat infiltration. We do not want Democrats in Republican clothing pushing policies that hurt our Georgian families.
Many of the challenges facing Georgians require courageous leaders who are unafraid to stand for issues such as the sanctity of life, election integrity, and the trouble in our schools. One such courageous leader is David Shafer, who was twice the GRA’s endorsed candidate for GA GOP Chairman, and has twice been elected. He has improved the state party, fulfilling his promise to get the party organization out of debt, establish a state party platform and support efforts to improve the problems within Georgia’s election systems. While his call for accountability among some incumbents has been met with pushback, he and other GRA members who serve as officers of the GOP all agree—we must align with our principles—which means holding fellow Republicans accountable for actions that are not in the best interest of Georgians.
There is a high standard among GRA members—and it’s our Republican Principles and Goals. The GRA will continue to do everything within its power to live up to what makes us the Conscience of the Republican Party. It’s what our constituents deserve, value and expect. For more information about GRA, go to: https://georgiara.com/about-us/
Comments: 4
Thank you for standing up for Joanna and for strong conservative principles.
I have worked alongside both Joanna, and Denise, and can personally attest to their authenticity, the nobility of their intentions, their professional ability, and their moral compass. Northwest Georgia is beyond blessed to have these two individuals in our corner.
Joanna and Denise are dedicated conservatives who work tirelessly for our counties, state and nation. They actually provide positive opportunities and events for our citizens, unlike Mr,, Pierce who spews negative bile on a regular basis! If Mr. Pierce is so concerned about our local counties, why doesn’t he run for an office so that he can effect change rather than sitting in his little ivory tower berating everyone with whom he disagrees. Put your money where your mouth is! Do something positive for a change!
Pierce was wrong to suggest voting for a Democrat over a Republican. In a meeting Chairman Burns was asked several times who the GRA had endorsed by sn individual. She correctly stated that she was there on behalf of the GOP and told people that if they wanted to know, they could go to the GRA website.