Northwest Georgia politics

Floyd Democrats elect convention delegates; hear from candidates.

-From a media release: The Floyd County Democratic Party held a caucus election July 24 at George Pullen’s meeting room during the monthly meeting. Twelve delegates and three alternates were elected to represent Floyd County at the state Democratic Party Convention. The convention will culminate on Saturday, Aug. 14, with the 2010 Georgia Association of Democratic County Chairs Dinner where the 29th Annual Richard B. Russell Public Service Award will be presented to Jane Kidd, party chair.

-The delegates who will be attending are: Scott Akemon, Payton Bradford, Mary Caldwell, David Collins, Wendy Davis, Graham Dixon, Erica Garrett, Charles Graves, Brian Hampton, Dawn Hampton, Bob Puckett and Mike Reynolds. Alternates chosen were: Rick Garrett, Ann Gore and Larry Gore.

-Three candidates spoke at the meeting: Bonny Askew (State House District 13), Rick Garrett (County Commission, District 4) and Dan Ledford (State House District 14).

-The next regular meeting will be held Saturday, Aug. 7, 9:30 a.m. at George Pullen’s meeting room, 10 W. First St. off of Broad Street.

Round II: What to expect before the Aug. 10 primary runoff:

-Best race to watch locally: House District 14 race: Republicans Christian Coomer vs. Shep Helton. Winner faces Democrat Dan Ledford Nov. 2. Five votes separated Coomer and Helton with the rest going to Greg Bowen. Will a Bowen endorsement help either candidate? Fourteen precincts vote in this one next month, seven in mostly eastern Floyd County and seven in Bartow County. Helton carried Bartow County by 200 votes; Coomer did the same in Floyd.

-Best race to watch statewide: Governor, Republican ballot: Karen Handel vs. Nathan Deal. Winner faces Democrat Roy Barnes. The primary battle will look like an early morning jog around the Barron Stadium track. The runoff will be nothing shy of the roughest MMA match you've ever seen (we've never seen one). This race will get more national exposure thanks to Sarah Palin's influence.

-Best race to watch locally and statewide: Attorney General, Republican: Sam Olens vs. Sen. Preston Smith, R-Rome. Winner faces Democrat Ken Hodges. Smith vs. Olens: Smith, the veteran state senator from Rome, entered the race late and has been building a solid grassroots effort across the state. We wonder if either one has Palin as a friend on Facebook?

-Secretary of State, Democrat: Gail Buckner vs. Georganna Sinkfield. Winner faces Republican Brian Kemp.

-Insurance Commissioner, Republican: Ralph Hudgens vs. Maria Sheffield. Winner faces Democrat Mary Squires.

-Public Service Commission, Republican: Tim Echols and John Douglas. Winner faces Democrat Keith Moffett.

-Best fourth time a charm race. U.S. Congress, Ninth District: Rep. Tom Graves vs. Lee Hawkins in the GOP runoff. There is no Democratic opposition. (parts of Gordon County). Graves and Hawkins survived a special election and then met in a special runoff, with Graves taking Nathan Deal's former congressional seat. Graves almost won Tuesday's primary outright but Hawkins has one more chance.

-In Polk County: County Commission District 2, Democrats Frank Lott vs. Leroy Peugh. Winner faces Republican Phillip Bentley.

-In Gordon County: County Commission, District 4, Republican: Rebecca Hood will face Jewell Bunch in a runoff Aug. 10. Hood received 46.2 percent of the vote in the four-person primary. Board of Education, Post 7, Republican: Incumbent Jerry Casey gets the most votes but faces runoff with Dewayne Bowen.

Primary runoff candidate profiles

About this series: Below please find our continuing series of candidate profiles in advance of the July 20 primary, written by Natalie Simms. Hometown Headlines is highlighting only contested races in the primary.

-Questions & Answers: In each race, we ask the candidates the same four questions and then ask the candidates to make a closing statement. The candidates in each race are asked the same questions.

House District 14, GOP

-July 20 GOP primary: Christian Coomer and Shep Helton. The winner faces the victory in the Democratic primary,  Dan Ledford.  District includes parts of Floyd and Bartow counties.

Christian Coomer, Republican

Christian Coomer, 35, is a self-employed attorney in Cartersville. He has worked on political campaigns and conservative causes since age 17 and ran for district attorney two years ago. He is a graduate of Lee University in Cleveland, Tenn., and the University of Georgia School of Law. Coomer is an Air Force Reservist attached to the 42nd Air Base Wing, Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama. He served as a U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General (JAG) from 2001-2005.

Coomer has served as a board member for various local charities. He is a member of Adairsville Church of God. He and his wife, Heidi, have two sons: Christian, 8, and Collin, 5. www.ChristianCoomer.com.

Q/ In your opinion, what is the region's most pressing need or issue?

A/“Jobs, which dovetails with transportation.”

Q/ If elected, how will you successfully address that issue?

A/“Push to expand the incentives of the JOBS Act; work to simplify the tax code and reduce the burden of regulatory schemes that get in the way of allowing small business to expand.  Demand the swift completion of the 411 connector.”

Q/ With the revenue shortfalls we've experienced in the past few years, what changes can be made to protect our school systems from further multi-million dollar cuts and larger classroom sizes?

A/“Georgia spends more on education than our neighbors—education makes up nearly 60% of our state budget.  Yet, we continue to fall behind in performance.  We must find more efficient ways of spending tax dollars and get results from the money we spend.  Charter Schools and other school choice options that have been proven to meet the goals we desire should be promoted—they cost less and get better results.  At the same time, Georgia’s quality teachers should be protected and schools that perform should be recognized and used as models for others.”

Q/Job growth is key to our economic recovery. What specific job stimulus plans do you have?

A/“Incentivize job creation by expansion of the JOBS Act.  The JOBS Act contains a number of job growth initiatives like tax credits for hiring and unemployed Georgians, a fifty percent reduction for Georgia long-term Capital gains tax which allows businesses to reinvest for expansion and job creation, and encourage angel investors to invest in Georgia companies.

A recent report shows that while unemployment continues to rise in our nation, the government is expanding its employment rolls. It should be the government’s job to encourage and empower small businesses owners to create jobs. If the government is creating the jobs, then it stifles the creative and entrepreneurial spirit of our society. The trend in Georgia has been the opposite of the national trend, and that is a move in the right direction. I want to keep moving Georgia in the right direction.”

Q/The economy, management issues and other problems have crippled the DOT. What specific remedies do you propose for easing Northwest Georgia's traffic issues?

A/“First, let me say that cutting back in tough times is not always bad.  I remember (a few months ago) when Georgia was facing winter and ice conditions and we consistently heard DOT could not clear the roads because the lack of funding.  In fact, they got it done.  It goes to show that we can do more with less if we only try.  I think it is a good sign for the new leadership in the DOT.  With that said, I believe we need to have that type of attitude in our government at all times—not just when there are lean times.

Second, I believe we need to promote more public/private partnerships.  If we can bring more people to the table bidding on jobs, working to get things done in a safe and time efficient manner, then I believe the competition and accountability will improve production of our roads.  .

Finally, the primary transportation plank in my campaign is the swift completion of the 411 connector.  It is the lynch pin to job creation, which will move Floyd forward.”

Closing Comment:

“I have a history of service to my country and my community.  I have been willing to stand up and fight for the causes I believe in.  Protecting families and the unborn, eliminating wasteful spending, reforming our burdensome tax codes, supporting men and women who fight for our freedom, keeping our Second Amendment and Tenth Amendment rights intact, securing our borders, and working hard to secure a future for our children—these are all causes that I have pursued for years.  As your Representative in the State House, I will keep working for these causes and I will serve you honorably.” 

Shep Helton, Republican

Shep Helton, 39, is a self-employed attorney in Cartersville. He has practiced law for 14 years in Bartow County and is currently a partner with the firm of Tilley, Deems and Helton, LLC. He was also previously a partner with Joe Frank Harris, Jr. for seven years. He says it is clear that the people are demanding strong leadership at all levels of government and this compelled him for this first run for public office. Helton currently serves as a Deacon at Cartersville First Baptist Church. He and his wife, Andrea, have three children: Caroline, 7, Ava, 5, and Zeke, 2.  

Q/ In your opinion, what is the region's most pressing need or issue?

A/“I believe that the most pressing issue in our district is the need for jobs. Consumer confidence drives the economy. If a consumer is out of work, he can't contribute a lot to the local economy. We need to use every resource available to put the high number of people in our region currently unemployed or under employed back to work. I would also like to point out that the current credit crisis is putting more jobs and businesses at risk. Many businesses, both small and large, can't expand and hire more people without the back stop of credit. Many solid business people are now being punished for irresponsible acts of others. The business people still standing are not the ones that caused the current credit crisis; they are the victims of it. The key to job creation is available financing so that existing business can expand and new business can be created and thrive.”

Q/ If elected, how will you successfully address that issue?

A/“There are two ways to address this issue. First, if we were to offer incentives in the form of discounted taxes and assessments, at least on a temporary basis, for new business to locate our region. We have to be competitive with other regions and states that, like us, are trying to locate new businesses. We have a lot going for us. We just need to tip the scales a little more in our favor. Second, I suggest tax incentives for current businesses, small and large alike, for hiring new employees. As a business owner, I am painfully aware of the costs associated in having someone on the payroll. If the government would ease that burden, even on a temporary basis, I would be much more likely to hire the help that we desperately need.”

Q/ With the revenue shortfalls we've experienced in the past few years, what changes can be made to protect our school systems from further multi-million dollar cuts and larger classroom sizes?

A/“There are only two ways to address this issue: Spend less or make more. I am vehemently opposed to increasing taxes unless it is the will of the people. Therefore, one way to protect the teachers that desperately need our help is to find other areas to cut. These cuts are never going to be popular. They will definitely hurt other sectors. However, I believe that cutting quality teachers’ salaries is a recipe for disaster. I am a product of public education. Westside Elementary, which I attended, did not have air conditioning. Lack of AC did not affect my ability to learn. The absence of a teacher would have.

I also strongly believe in parental involvement. There is an ongoing need for volunteerism in our schools. I believe we, as parents and individuals, must take a personal interest in working with teachers, staff and administrators in creating the best learning environment for our children - our future leaders.”

Q/Job growth is key to our economic recovery. What specific job stimulus plans do you have?

A/"Again, I believe our lending institutions must provide the necessary financing for existing and new small, commercial and industrial business. I also believe we must cut governmental costs associated with locating a business here, and provide real economic incentive to employers to hire new workers. These incentives could be in real time credit for payroll tax deposits or end of year tax credits for number of new hires that stayed in employment for a specific period of time.”  

Q/The economy, management issues and other problems have crippled the DOT. What specific remedies do you propose for easing Northwest Georgia's traffic issues?

A/“This question is much like the question above in that common sense dictates the answer. Traffic woes are fixed by adding more lanes and developing straighter connections or by decreasing the number of cars on the roads. The only way to increase lanes and straighten roads is with money. We must finish the 411 and the Old Alabama Road connectors, continue the plans for the Highway 140 project, and finish the Rome bypass. I propose making these top priority budget items. In addition, though difficult to regulate, I would like look at ways to offer tax credits to those people that carpool, thereby decreasing the number of vehicles on the roads, the amount of emissions released, damage to our roads, and helping people keep money in their pockets.”

Closing Comment:

“I believe that we are all endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among them are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I am in favor of legislation that promotes those rights, and against legislation that impairs those rights. Our government is too large at almost every level, and is out of touch with the very people that it proposes to govern. I believe that common sense has been all but abandoned in the arena of government. I believe that the constitution means what it says and that it is fairly straightforward. I am in favor of looking to the text of the document to determine what government has authority to do, rather than having government decide what it is going to do and then participating in the mental gymnastics required to support its predetermined conclusion. I believe life starts at conception. I believe in God. I believe in hard work. I believe in telling the truth no matter what, and I believe in the power of freedom.”