2023 Candidates For Georgia Republican Party Offices

Notes

1. Biographical information – age, family, where you live now and are originally from
I am 44 years old. I am originally from Columbus, Georgia and currently living in Atlanta.  I am married to the former Jacqueline Byrd and we have an 11 year old named Jackson.  Glad to provide any other information needed.

2. Employment history
February 2020 – Present:  General Counsel, Technical College System of Georgia; January 2019 – January 2020:  Chief of Staff, Georgia Department of Insurance; October 2013 – December 2018: Principal, McKoon Law Firm; January 2012 – October 2013: Partner, Crowley/McKoon; January 2010 – December 2011: Attorney, Day/Crowley; January 2006 – December 2009: Attorney, McKoon, Thomas, & McKoon; January 2004 – December 2005: Attorney, Page, Scrantom, Sprouse, Tucker, & Ford, P.C.

3. Educational history
University of Alabama School of Law, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Juris Doctor, 2003; Furman University, Greenville, South Carolina, Bachelor of Arts (Political Science/Communication Studies) 2001; Brookstone High School, Columbus, Georgia 1997.

4. Criminal/legal history
My only “criminal” history would involve traffic citations. I believe the last traffic citation I received was in 2019. Please let me know if you need more detailed information on this question.

5. History of political involvement – positions held, etc.
Founder/Chairman, Greater Columbus Young Republicans, 2004-2007; Muscogee County Republican Party Chairman, 2007-2009; Georgia State Senator, 2011-2019 (Chairman of Senate Judiciary Committee 2013-2017); Candidate for Secretary of State (2018); Member, State Committee on Appeals (2019-2023);  Georgia Young Republican Man of the Year (2012); Young Republican National Federation Man of the Year (2014); Former Precinct Chairman, Muscogee County Republican Party; Former National Committeeman, Young Republican National Federation

6. GRA membership – how long a member, why did you join (or why you have not joined yet)?
I helped start the Georgia Republican Assembly and became a lifetime member on 2/25/2017.

7. Other political/professional/social organization memberships
Member, State Bar of Georgia (2004 – Present); Member, Alabama State Bar (2004 – Present); G.K. Chesterton Society, Member; Knights of Columbus Council #1019, Member;  Seneca Choices for Life, Immediate Past President
 
8. Donations made/candidates and committees supported
I have made campaign contributions over the years to a number of candidates and causes. I am glad to provide a list if needed but that will take me some time as I’ll need to review some disclosures. See Open Secrets Report
 
9. What principled legislative initiatives have you supported, and what bad legislation/policy have you opposed?
As a State Senator, I authored Georgia’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act, the first ever limitation on gifts from lobbyists to legislators, legislation to outlaw issuing driver’s licenses to illegal aliens, a constitutional amendment to abolish Georgia’s income tax, an interstate compact to prohibit taxpayer funding of professional athletic venues, and many other conservative initiatives.  I was routinely in the top 10 legislators who voted “no” during my tenure in the State Senate.  I opposed the transportation tax increase in 2015, one of the largest tax increase in Georgia history, as well as numerous giveaways to corporate interests. I am glad to supplement this response if the Committee would like to see a more comprehensive list. 
 
10. What are your top three priorities for the role you are seeking?
As Chairman these are three of my top priorities, (A) Standing up a premier election integrity unit by identifying, recruiting, and training poll watchers, poll workers, and attorneys to defend/file election law related challenges in court, (B) Providing in person and later on demand training through our state party website for county chairmen, precinct chairmen, volunteers, convention chairs/planners, and other key volunteer roles in the Georgia GOP, and (C) Improving the quality and quantity of our communications with in person events hosted by the Georgia GOP outside of Atlanta, FB Live, podcasts, short explanatory videos, the launching of Georgia GOP programs to combat the fake news constantly being broadcast from mainstream media about Georgia Republicans.

11. What is your position on GRA’s principles and goals (see https://georgiara.com/party-goals/ ) ?
I support the principles listed on the GRA web link attached and have demonstrated my support during my eight years as a State Senator with on the record public votes, amendments, and legislation.

12. What do you believe is the role of the party in holding politicians accountable?
The party primary process is the best way to hold elected officials accountable.

13. List your social media accounts
I am on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mckoon and www.facebook.com/JoshMcKoon.  I am on Twitter @joshmckoon.  I am on Instagram also @joshmckoon.  I have a LinkedIn Account as well.  I believe those are all my social media channels.

14. Who are your political heroes?
George Washington, James Madison, Ronald Reagan, James K. Polk, Margaret Thatcher, Winston Churchill, and Herman Cain.

15. Why are you seeking the endorsement of the GRA?
I am seeking the endorsement of every delegate to the State Convention in Columbus.  As a GRA member myself, I know there are numerous GRA delegates who will be looking to the position of the GRA as a body on who should be the next State Chairman.  As an unapologetic conservative who walked the walk for 8 years in the State Senate, I believe I represent a clear choice for delegates who want a Chairman that will put a priority on grassroots activists and I believe the GRA endorsement will underline that message.

16. What will you do to keep the Georgia State GOP aligned with the grassroots conservative movement of Georgia instead of being driven by the National GOP?
The stakeholders I am responsible to are Georgia Republicans, not the Republican National Committee.  As I demonstrated as a State Senator, I was focused then on the approximately 200,000 Georgians I represented and as State Party Chairman will be focused on my constituents here in Georgia.

17. Will you support a platform to reveal National GOP Committee votes for election of Chairman of the National GOP?
I am very comfortable with public voting.  As a State Senator I fought to record every vote taken.  Delegates to our conventions and members to the RNC are representing other Republicans and as such should record their votes publicly.