events Archives - Page 6 of 6 - The Georgia Republican Assembly

Cobb GOP Resolutions Critiquing Governor Brian Kemp Last Week Stir Controversy

October 2, 2021 by Nathaniel Darnell in Candidates / events

Last week the official Cobb County Republican Party Committee created something of a stir when they met last Thursday and passed several resolutions critiquing and “censuring” (a better word might have been “reprimanding”) Governor Brian Kemp, and calling for protections at all levels of civil government of medical freedom for citizens. The resolutions addressed time-sensitive subjects. The critiques of Governor Kemp concerned his handling of the allegations of election fraud and revisions to the voting system to ensure accuracy, the illegal immigration, and the indiscriminate admission of Afghan refugees.

Cobb RA member Michael Opitz was appointed as the Resolutions Committee Chairman of the Cobb County Republican Party and orally presented the resolutions, some of which were revisions of earlier drafts presented at a previous committee meeting. Supporters of Governor Kemp protested the resolutions on technical grounds, but the resolutions passed the committee overwhelmingly.

The GRA commends the GOP for holding elected officials accountable to Republican principles at all times. If Republicans do not promote their stated objectives, then the Republican Party becomes meaningless. While we have commended Governor Kemp’s performance in certain instances, we have also offered a critique of some of his actions as well. Such critiques are not endorsements of primary opponents, but instructive for all concerned and provide officials such as Governor Kemp the opportunity to correct their missteps before the next election. If Republican officials expect the grassroots activists to get out the vote for them during campaign season, they have a responsibility to listen to their concerns.

However, the Cobb YRs put out an email on Saturday condemning the Cobb GOP for passing the resolutions. Cobb RA member Nathan Adams called the author of the message on behalf of the Cobb YRs a “lobbyist, posing as a grassroots leader, tell[ing] you that you can’t hold your elected officials accountable …”. GRA President Alex Johnson added that actually most of the board members for the Cobb YRs have a conflict of interest: “One would think and assume that a YR group is ‘grassroots’. But simply look at the composition of their Board of Directors posted on their website: of the 4 board members listed, one of them works for a politician (a Congressman), and two of the others have businesses tied to lobbying that require politicians to like/support them.”

The GRA disagrees with the Cobb YRs about holding elected officials accountable, and our Board today passed a resolution supporting GOP organizations that have held officials accountable. Accountability helps motivate people to campaign and vote with the assurance that our candidates will do what they profess.

Members of the Cobb RA Executive Committee did, however, urge the Cobb GOP Resolutions Committee to provide copies of any proposed resolutions in advance with the Call of the Meeting in the future, and encouraged any party rules to be changed to ensure such a reasonable practice would be followed.

Watch the Keynote Speech from Congressman Thomas Massie (R-KY) at the GRA President’s Dinner

September 30, 2021 by Georgia Republican Assembly in events

The GRA was honored and pleased to have Republican hero Congressman Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky) as our keynote speaker at this year’s GRA President’s Dinner on September 11th. We hope more Republican elected officials will learn from and follow Massie’s example of commitment to Republican principles, even when it is temporarily unpopular, for the long-term health of the United States. For those who missed his excellent speech, or for those who would like to watch it again, now you can view it from the GRA’s YouTube Channel:

We appreciate those Georgia Congressmen who have joined with Congressman Thomas Massie in his recently proposed legislation to protect our U.S. soldiers from being forced to be vaccinated. Georgia Republican Congressmen Marjorie Taylor Greene, Jody Hice, Barry Loudermilk, and Andrew Clyde have each signed onto this legislation. No one should be forced to wear masks or be vaccinated. We do believe in Medical Freedom for all.

GRA Represented at the “We Demand an Audit” Freedom Rally in Rome

September 25, 2021 by Georgia Republican Assembly in events

Today the Georgia Republican Assembly participated in the “We Demand an Audit” Freedom Rally in Rome, Georgia where the GRA’s NFRA Director Nathaniel Darnell spoke alongside other activist leaders and candidates protesting the failure of Republican elected state officials to thoroughly and properly investigate the allegations of voter fraud in last year’s elections. The event was organized by GRA member Charles Stoker of northwest Georgia. The event was planned several weeks prior to former President Donald Trump‘s announcement that he would be hosting a similar rally himself in Perry, Georgia.

“We do believe Secretary of State Raffensberger, Lt. Governor Duncan, and Governor Kemp had it within their constitutional jurisdiction to investigate the allegations of voter fraud prior to certifying the results, and they had the moral duty to do so,” said GRA NFRA Director Nathaniel Darnell, who also serves as the elected Chairman of the Cobb County chapter. “A special session of the legislature could have and should have been called last December, and there are audits and investigations they could pursue now. That being said, we do not necessarily think that means that Vernon Jones would be an improvement as the Republican nominee for Governor. State Rep. Vernon Jones has an extensive voting record as a Democrat state legislator, and you can see it on our voter scorecards on the GRA web site. His record does not demonstrate loyalty to Republican principles, and so there is no reason to assume he would necessarily do a better job than Governor Kemp.”

Representatives for Kandiss Taylor for Governor were present at the rally to speak on behalf of her candidacy as a third option for the Republican nominee for Governor. Kandiss Taylor herself was attending President Trump’s rally in Perry. Georgia may still have other candidates announce a run in the Georgia Republican primary for Governor besides Kemp, Taylor, and Jones.

“People compare Vernon Jones to Ronald Reagan because they both were Democrats who switched parties and ran for Governor in their states,” Darnell continued. “But Reagan went through a 18 year transition from being a Harry Truman Democrat supporter in 1948 to running for Governor of California as a Republican in 1966. During that transition Reagan proved his change of heart was real by stumping repeatedly for Republican candidates such as Nixon and Goldwater in California. It wasn’t an overnight change that appeared opportunistic. People have a good reason to be skeptical of Vernon Jones.”

The GRA has not yet voted to endorse a candidate in the race for Governor and probably will not until after qualifying is completed. It takes a two-thirds majority of the membership of the GRA in order for a candidate to earn the organization’s endorsement.

Other speakers at the rally in Rome included Ricardo Davis who was representing VoterGA, an organization that has been leading a key lawsuit in Fulton County to bring to light evidence of election fraud in that county. Garland Favorito has been the primary spokesman of VoterGA and works closely with Ricardo in that effort.

Harvey Wysong also spoke on jury nullification at the rally, and former candidate Derrick Grayson gave a charismatic speech calling out various Republicans in Georgia for hypocrisy. Speakers also protested violations of “medical freedom” through policies such as President Joe Biden‘s proposed vaccination mandate.

Highlights from the 4th Annual GRA President’s Dinner with Congressman Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky)

September 22, 2021 by Georgia Republican Assembly in events

The 2021 4th Annual GRA President’s Dinner was a beautiful success! Attendees from all over the state were treated to a delicious three-course meal artfully presented in honor of the memory of the sacrifice of 9/11 and then heard from constitutionalist hero Congressman Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky). Congressman Massie is raising the bar for conservatism within the Republican Party, and it was an honor to have him speak as our keynote. We hope more of our elected officials from Georgia will learn to follow in his example of principle and courage.

In particular, we appreciate him being the only Republican in the U.S. House willing to go on record opposing every single multi-trillion dollar wasteful expenditure bill in response to the pandemic over the last 18 months, including the original “CARES Act” that started us on a path toward rising inflation!

Below are some select photos captured at the event. We appreciate everyone who helped to organize, plan, and host the event! In particular, we appreciate the careful planning of our NFRA Director Debra Williams, who has organized the GRA President’s Dinner for the last several years.

GRA President Alex Johnson with Congressman Thomas Massie (R-KY)

(Left) Paulette Smith sings the National Anthem / (Right) Garland Favorito with VoterGA

(Left) Jury Nullification champions Harvey Wysong & attorney Catherine Bernard / (Right) Andrea & Alex Johnson with Congressman Thomas Massie (R-KY)

Celebrate Success with Us at the 4th Annual President’s Dinner!

August 11, 2021 by Alex Johnson in events

Fellow GRA Members,

While there have been a lot of political setbacks for Republicans around the country, it’s been a successful and exciting year so far for the GRA. As you know, this year was a convention cycle for electing party leadership from the precinct level all the way through the State GOP. And as we had asked for, the GRA delivered.

GRA members offered themselves for party office throughout Georgia. Our endorsed candidates for GOP Chairman (David Shafer) and Second Vice Chairman (Brant Frost V) won overwhelmingly at the GAGOP State Convention. Other GRA members ran strong statewide campaigns, showing the depth and strength of the GRA.

The GRA assisted in training people newly involved in politics how to be involved on the local level, leading to many successes throughout the state. GRA members were elected as county and district GOP chairmen throughout the state, including but not limited to Ron Hooper in Banks County, Salleigh Grubbs in Cobb County, Marci McCarthy in DeKalb County, and Joanna Hildreth in Catoosa County. Denise Burns was elected as 14th District Chairman, GRA Treasurer Nathan Porter was elected as Sixth District Chairman, and many others were elected to the GOP State Committee.

Even with these victories, we have much room for growth and improvement in the GRA. We need to stay razor focused on getting our endorsed candidates elected into party and public office. And this requires help from all of our members in volunteering to help educate, engage, and recruit more members as well as spreading the word about the GRA by talking throughout your communities and wearing your GRA name badges. If you wish to volunteer to help with any of our initiatives, please reply and let us know.

I look forward to continuing to work with you in standing for principled Republicanism and restoring the Republican brand.

-Alex

P.S. The GRA President’s Dinner (postponed from January due to logistical issues with COVID) has been scheduled for September 11, 2021 with Congressman Thomas Massie as the keynote speaker. Tickets are available now. Please save the date for the State GRA convention, tentatively scheduled for October 23rd. The National Federation of Republican Assemblies convention is scheduled for October 8-10, 2021

Brad Raffensperger denied election as GOP Delegate

March 20, 2021 by Georgia Republican Assembly in Candidates / conventions / events

March 20th, 2021
Alpharetta, GA – Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger was denied election as a delegate in his own precinct this morning at the Fulton County Republican Caucuses. Raffensperger failed to even secure a nomination for delegate.

“We are sending a message that will be heard all around the state. Raffensperger has got to go” said one participant.

Raffensperger‘s defeat comes as a shock given that Republican elected officials are often treated like royalty whenever they seek to be made a delegate to anything.

Raffensperger had sent a note requesting to be made a delegate but no one nominated him and he did not attend the caucus.

Turnout was very high at the caucus with 60-70% of participants being first time attendees.

Former Alpharetta Mayor David Belle Isle also announced that he would be a candidate for Secretary of State next year. Belle Isle ran for Secretary of State in 2018, losing the primary runoff to Raffensperger.

Congressman Jody Hice is also believed to be planning a run for Secretary of State.