Georgia Republican Assembly has announced the 2022 GRA Endorsement Convention on April 2nd in Newnan, Georgia! Tickets are now available! Plan to come and invite your favorite candidates to join us as well!
Registration has now officially opened for the Georgia Republican Assembly’s State Endorsement Convention! At this event, GRA members from around the state may attend to vote on any state-wide candidate they would like to see the GRA endorse for civil government office. Congressional candidates may be allowed to participate as well. Candidates can only win the endorsement if they get at least a 2/3rd majority of the participating membership.
Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene
In 2020, for example, the GRA endorsed then-candidate Marjorie Taylor Greene in the 14th Congressional District run-off race. Since then, she went on to win election and make headlines as a true fighter for American, Republican values in Congress! She’s one of several endorsed candidates we’ve helped win races across the state.
We will be hearing from candidates from across the state, and we will be voting on endorsement for U.S. Senator, Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, Constitutional Officer, State Legislature, and others. There are only two requirements to attend and vote: You have to be a GRA member and you have to register. Plan to come and invite your favorite candidates to join us as well!
The 2022 GRA Endorsement Convention April 2, 2022 The Newnan Centre 1515 Lower Fayetteville Rd Newnan, GA 30265 Call to Order: 10:00am Lunch Served: 12:00pm Cost: $45
Congratulations to the Hart County GRA Members who met tonight to charter the newest chapter! Much appreciation for Chapter Relations Committee Chairman Silas Roberts who organized this launch.
GRA members from Hartwell gathered to adopt bylaws and elect officers for a new county GRA chapter!
The participants broke bread at a local Mexican restaurant, and the meeting included an appearance from a potential candidate for State House looking to challenge a low-voter-scorecard Republican in the primary.
NWGRA President Eddie Caldwell and GRA Secretary Joanna Hildreth led a good chapter meeting last weekend, adding Walker County to the NWGRA chapter and voting on their local platform! If you live in northwest Georgia, be sure to reach out to Eddie or Joanna to get involved in the NWGRA!
The WGRA chapter is also scheduled to add Douglas and Harlson counties to regional chapter this week. In order to start a county chapter, according to the GRA state bylaws, a county has to have at least ten GRA members.
Eddie Caldwell serves as the President of the NWGRA chapter, which includes Whitfield, Catoosa, Murray, Gordon, and now Walker counties. Working together, their membership has successfully defeated several proposed SPLOSTs and Tax Allocation Districts (“TADs”) that were introduced by low-voter scorecard Republicans from the Georgia General Assembly.
Fayetteville, GA—At the GRA State Convention on Saturday, the GRA membership passed a series of strong resolutions addressing several hot-button controversies of the day. Among them was a resolution to “END INDOCTRINATION OF CHILDREN IN GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS.”
The text of the resolution was unique in that it called upon families and parents to take action to solve a societal problem, rather than calling upon anyone in civil government to act. The text of the resolution reads in full:
“WHEREAS, the civil government school system has been the primary promoter of socialistic, anti-Republican ideas in our communities; and
“WHEREAS, the government school has been responsible for countless children from Republican homes turning against the principles that were taught to them by their parents and has led to many graduates voting Democrat; and
“WHEREAS, government schools have proven themselves to be untrustworthy by forbidding prayer and the teaching of the Bible, and promoting Critical Race Theory, cultural Marxism, sexual deviancy, abortion, atheism, evolutionism, mandated vaccination and other false and harmful ideas; and
“WHEREAS, Critical Race Theory is a flagrant attempt to teach unveiled, hard-core Marxism and racism; and
“WHEREAS, the conservative exposure and intervention that prevented certain schools from teaching Critical Race Theory this year in no way guarantees government schools will not attempt this kind of indoctrination again in the future with greater success; and
“WHEREAS, this damaging indoctrination usually occurs before parents are made aware of it or have organized to oppose it; and
“WHEREAS, parental protest and interference at school board meetings has proven to be insufficient at checking the advance and of leftism and has only brought parents under investigation for being “domestic terrorists”; and
“WHEREAS, the sustainability of all conservative victories are at risk if the next generation does not understand and embrace Republican values, which are American values;
“THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the GA Republican Assembly calls upon all Republican families to immediately remove their children from these harmful facilities and pursue alternative education options and furthermore suggests that local church leaders and Republicans without school-age children designate a portion of their volunteer time and personal resources to assist struggling families in their community in the pursuit of alternative education options.”
Fayetteville, GA—At the GRA State Convention this year, volunteers from the Gwinnett chapter of the Georgia Republican Assembly received two of our most prestigious awards. We were pleased to bestow for 2021 the “Club of the Year” Award upon the Gwinnett group for their excellent example running their local chapter.
GRA NFRA Director Nathaniel Darnell (left) and GRA President (& NFRA President) Alex Johnson (right) present Gwinnett RA President J. Gregory Howard (center) with the “Chapter of the Year” Award on behalf of his chapter organization.
For many years the Gwinnett chapter been setting a good example for other local chapters in how they have held regular meetings (even during COVID), setting up local membership benefits, and hosting candidate forums and holiday parties that have helped to share useful information and good will in the community! There is a lot we all could benefit from in emulating them in these ways.
In addition, Gwinnett County Republican Assembly officer Mary Gordon was also awarded the “Volunteer of the Year” Award due to all of her hard work (often behind the scenes) helping to run her chapter and helping to organize and host special events for her chapter and GRA events. Mary has been gracious as well as skilled in all her service, demonstrating a sensitivity to others that many would do well to emulate.
Gwinnett’s Mary Gordon is presented with the “Volunteer of the Year” Award by the GRA President Alex Johnson.
We heartily congratulate these good folks from Gwinnett for earning this well-deserved recognition!
Fayetteville, GA—Today GRA members from across the state gathered to elect new Executive Committee officers for the next years.
We wish to congratulate to our new GRA Executive Committee!
Our new elected officers are:
• Alex Johnson: GRA President (& NFRA President) • Nathaniel Darnell: NFRA Director • Catherine Bernard: NFRA Director • Brant Frost V: 1st Vice President • Jim Fernander: 2nd Vice President • Abigail Darnell: 3rd Vice President • Nate Porter: Treasurer • Joanna Hildreth: Secretary • Denise Burns: Assistant Secretary
Members of the GRA Board (left), and members of the GRA Executive Committee (right)
Congratulations also to the Gwinnett Republican Assembly (County Chapter President: Gregory Howard) for winning the “Chapter of the Year” Award, to Philip J Singleton for winning the Legislative Award, and to Mary Gordon for winning “Volunteer of the Year.” Thanks to Derrick E Grayson, Kellie Pollard Austin, Ron Jones, and Zach Procter for offering to serve. We look forward to working with everyone to advance the GRA and get great principles which help all people enacted into law.
Join us as we hear from some of the most Conservative Political Leaders fighting for Georgia at the local, state, and national level.
Guest Speakers: Garland Favorito, Voter GA
We’ll hear what Favorito and the Voter GA organization has learned and are fighting for in Georgia’s court system regarding the Georgia 2020 elections. He’ll share what the Voter GA organization has done, is doing, results, and where we can get involved to make a difference.
Additional Invited Guest (not confirmed to date) Marjorie Taylor-Greene, U.S. House Rep. for GA Congressional District 14.
Matt Gurtler, Chief of Staff for U.S. Congressman Thomas Massie, and former GA House Rep. for District 8.
Additional Speakers to be announced.
ELECTIONS FOR GRA EXECUTIVE BOARD
• President, NFRA National Director 1, NFRA National Director 2, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, 3rd Vice President, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer.
(If you are interested in running for any of the above mentioned positions, please submit your experience and political resume to Debra Williams at: debrapio@bellsouth.net, or call for any questions at 770-789-7017).
If you would like more information on serving on any of the following Committee(s) for the GRA, please contact Debra Williams at: 770-789-7017. (Flyers and sign-up will be available at Convention as well.)
• Federal Committee, Chapter Relations, Membership, New Member, Newsletter, Legislative, Events, Public Relations, Speaker’s Bureau, Coalition of Leaders, State/GOP Vetting
Registration, Chick-Fil-A boxed Meal, Vender/Candidate Table can be purchased through Eventbrite.
Registration: $35 Boxed Meal $10 (Must be pre-ordered)
Beverages and Snacks available for purchase.
Vender/Candidate Tables $50 (Contact Debra Williams @ 770-789-7017 for questions).
Scottsdale, Arizona—Over the weekend, Republican Assembly leaders and delegates from all over the country met for the National Federation of Republican Assemblies (NFRA) Convention. Attendees heard from elected officials such as House Freedom Caucus Chairman Congressman Andy Biggs (R-AZ), candidates such as Mark Finchem for Arizona Secretary of State, and spokesmen and educators such as Charlie Kirk with Turning Point USA.
A portion of the GRA delegation attending the 2021 NFRA Convention in Scottsdale, Arizona
On the final day of the convention, participating members of the NFRA Board voted to elect a new President for the national organization. Mr. Willes Lee (originally from Hawaii, but more recently moved to Virgina) has served as the NFRA President for the last four years, and has been a noted board member as well of the National Rifle Association (NRA).
When the tally of the ballots was reported, the Georgia Republican Assembly’s President Alex Johnson was announced to have won the election. GRA NFRA Directors Debra Williams and Nathaniel Darnell were both present to vote for Alex, who won by three votes. In addition to working as an attorney from DeKalb, Alex has helped to revitalize and rebuild the GRA over the last six years.
Watch Alex Johnson’s speech for his candidacy at the 2021 NFRA Convention.
In addition, GRA member James Jordan, CPA was elected as the NFRA Treasurer when his opponent decided to drop out of the race at the last moment.
“The NFRA will now become the organization it is meant to be,” said GRA NFRA Director Debra Williams. “Look forward to see great things happen!”
“Alex has built a great team, set a fine example, and spear-headed relentlessly over the last several years to build the GRA,” said GRA NFRA Director Nathaniel Darnell. “We know he’ll do a great job taking that same success to the national Republican Assembly organization.”
The NFRA announces Alex Johnson as the winner of the election.
Jekyll Island, GA—Congratulations to all of the GRA members participating in the GAGOP elections today, as candidates and delegates! We are excited to report that two of our leading endorsed candidates for state-wide party office have once again won election: David Shafer and Brant Frost V were both overwhelmingly re-elected for GA GOP Chairman and 2nd Vice Chairman, respectively. Each of them received a more than super-majority of the standing vote at the state convention in Jekyll Island.
GRA Table at the Vending Hall
Last Monday, the GRA membership met online via Zoom for an live electronic endorsement convention with members from across the state. Participants were able to pose questions to each of the candidates online. Using the online system Runkeeper, GRA members were able to cast ballots in favor of endorsing each of the contested GA GOP officer candidates, the Over 80,000 Chair candidates, and the Under 80,000 Chair candidates. The system enables users to pre-cast their initial ballot as well as any secondary or tertiary ballots in the case of a runoff between multiple candidates. As usual under the rules of the GRA, a candidate can only be endorsed if he or she receives at least a two-thirds majority vote of the participating GRA membership.
Brant Frost V cheering his victory
Brant Frost V (who also serves as the 1st Vice President of the GRA) was the only candidate endorsed on the first ballot. Pamela Rearden earned the endorsement for 1st Vice Chair of the GA GOP in her race on the third ballot; Shafer received the endorsement for GA GOP Chairman on the third ballot as well.
In a three-way contest this Saturday, endorsee Pamela Reardon ran a strong campaign for 1st Vice Chair and received the second-highest number of votes, but ultimately lost to Establishment-candidate B.J. Van Gundy. GRA member Surrea Ivy received a standing ovation at the state convention during her exceptional speech in the GA GOP Chairman’s race, ultimately coming in second. Jason Shepherd was another GRA member who has in many ways made some strides for improvement in Cobb County as the former county Chairman, but he came in third place in the race for GA GOP Chairman.
David Shafer and Brant Frost V were also endorsed by the GRA two years ago when they each first won election for state party office. Over the last two years Brant Frost’s hard work substantially increased his margin of victory from his more narrow win in 2019.
Brant Frost V’s campaign speech at the 2021 GA GOP State Convention
David Shafer ran in 2019 under a pledge to raise funds and cut spending to get the GA GOP out of debt—something GRA leaders on the state committee had been pushing for over six years! Shafer made good on his promise, having the debt paid off by March of 2020. Shafer also promised to do something else the GRA has been pushing for years: allow the GA GOP to establish its first ever state party platform. Not only did Shafer accomplish that, but he appointed prominent GRA members such as former State Senator Mike Crane, Kay Godwin, and GRA 3rd Vice President Nathaniel Darnell to the committee to draft the platform, and he appointed Brant Frost V to Chair that Resolutions Committee. He also appointed GRA President Alex Johnson to the GA GOP’s standing Rules Committee. In addition to this, Shafer helped to setup party organizations in all of Georgia’s 159 counties for the first time ever. This track record of working with the GRA to promote its objectives, rather than against the GRA as the two previous GA GOP Chairs have done, had a lot to do with why he earned their endorsement once again.
GRA Members Alex Johnson & Salleigh Grubbs were among those appointed to the Nominating Committee
We appreciate all the GRA members who offered themselves as candidates at the state convention and were willing to serve. We look forward to continuing to elect the best candidates to positions of influence in the GA GOP who will prove themselves eager to work to help us promote Republican principles in Georgia.
Last Saturday saw the Georgia Republican Assembly membership make great strides for freedom as a new record of GRA members from around the state were elected to District & State Committee positions in the GAGOP! We appreciate all the new activists who participated and made these victories possible.
In the 14th Congressional District GOP Convention, GRA-member Denise Burns(Catoosa) was elected as the new Chair of the 14th District—Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene ‘s district! In the 6th District, our GRA Treasurer Nathan Porter (Fulton) was elected as the Chair of the 6th District. These will join 3rd District Chair Mike Crane (Coweta) who was re-elected on the GAGOP Executive Committee, the board that oversees Georgia’s republican outreach and operations across the state.
In addition, many GRA leaders and members were elected and re-elected to the GAGOP State Committee, including Cobb RA Chairman Nathaniel Darnell from the 11th, Pamela Rearden from the 6th, Banks Wise from the 11th, Caroline Jeffords from the 11th, and our GRA President Alex Johnson from the 6th. In the 14th District, GRA member Ed Painter, Perry Greene, Joanna Hildreth and Todd Noblitt were all elected for the first time to the State Committee!
Newly elected 14th District Chair Denise Burns
These come on the heels of great victories across our county leadership in the state. For example, the GRA’s former NFRA Director Ron Hooper was elected as the Chairman of Banks County. GRA member Salleigh Grubbswas elected as the new Chair of Cobb County promising reform as well. The Cherokee County GOP cleaned house, wiping out obstructionists and bringing in fresh new leaders eager to work together!
Now the GRA activists, eager for reform and accountability, in the Georgia Republican Party turn their eyes toward the GAGOP State Convention in Jekyll Island on June 4-5th.
GOP District Conventions Proclaim Tremendous Solidarity in Resolutions Across the State
At the beginning of this year, tens of thousands of Republican voters in Georgia were screaming their disillusionment with Republican officials after the general election and runoff. Much of their consternation was due to those Republican officials failing to safeguard the elections from abuse and fraud, and then failing to examine the evidence before allowing the elections to be certified.
Of course, the GRA and its affiliated chapters has been pointing out for years how Republican officials often pay lip-service to Republican objectives and principles but chicken out when they’re in the walls of the capitol building. That’s why we were especially excited this year about the strong batch of resolutions coming through Republican county and congressional district organizations in their conventions reprimanding officials such as Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan, and Attorney General Chris Carr as well as renewing the GOP’s commitment to conservative pro-American policies.
The ten resolutions voted on at the 13th District Convention listed above. Only the one reprimanding Governor Brian Kemp did not pass at that convention.
While many in the Establishment say that the resolutions at the conventions don’t matter, we observe that they actually do matter a good deal to the media. The Atlanta Journal Constitution, for example, published a story about which resolutions passed and which ones did not, providing much publicity . It also apparently does matter to the Establishment because of how they manuever to prevent the convention delegates from even brining up the resolutions for discussion and a vote. For example, at the Cobb GOP Convention, party leaders deliberately chose to schedule their convention to only go to 2:30pm and then insisted that the convention had to adjourn before bringing up the resolutions because they were out of time due to the facility rental agreement. This tactic was attempted again at the 11th District Convention, but this time it was thwarted as the new activists grew more savvy.
GRA members Banks Wise (Cherokee) and Cobb GOP Chair Salleigh Grubbs generously agreed to split the additional cost of renting the convention floor for the extra time needed to address the resolutions at the 11th District Convention. In the 6th District, the delegates filed outside into the parking lot and proceeded to complete their convention business, braving the 75-degree heat and unrelenting sunshine. The resolutions not only called out corrupt Establishment officials such as Speaker David Ralston, Raffensperger, and Duncan, but also spoke out against the encroachment in government of Critical Race Theory and ideas such as “vaccine passports.”
They affirmed commitment to family issues (such as natural marriage & sexuality, protection of students’ biological gender, etc.), jury nullification, gun rights, and ID-verification for voting.
Establishment Republican don’t like passing these kinds of public statements of their principles because they’re afraid of being held accountable to them. Now it’s time to be sure to do just that: hold them accountable to them!
