Voting guide for May 2018

I know that it's super last-minute, but I've finally got my voting decisions for tomorrow's Republican primary.

First observation: Negative campaigning via Google. As I was searching for Hunter Hill, the top link was a “sponsored” page on Clay Tippins’s website criticizing Hill. Searching for Geoff Duncan and Rick Jeffares gave me “top links” to pages paid for by David Shafer. Interesting.

For Governor
  • L.S. "CASEY" CAGLE
  • EDDIE HAYES
  • HUNTER HILL
  • BRIAN KEMP
  • CLAY TIPPINS
  • MARC URBACH
  • MICHAEL WILLIAMS


I am leaning strongly towards Hill in this race. Here's an article of interest.

The top contenders are Cagle (currently At. Governor), Kemp (currently Secretary of State), and Hill (state senator, former Army).

Cagle lost my support especially over that Delta issue. While I appreciate the sentiment of supporting the NRA and the second amendment, I am disgusted by the pandering and the threat of using government power to force others to share my support.

Kemp had that “intimidating the guy who wants to date the daughter” ad which has gotten so much attention. I appreciate the attempt at humor, but still didn't care for it.

Hill has the bold idea of eliminating the state income tax, which I like. I like how he explains not just conservative positions but his principles as well.

For Lieutenant Governor
  • GEOFF DUNCAN
    • State Representative from Cumming, no other political experience
    • Former professional ball player, CEO of a health startup. Attended GA Tech, drafted out of college into the Florida Marlins
    • No bill sponsorships.
    • Highest recent rating from American Conservative Union
  • PRICK JEFFARES
    • Former state senator, former Locust Grove city manager
    • Professional experience in water management, wastewater services
    • Challenged Shafer to a clay pigeon shooting competition. (Didn't happen.)
    • Few bill sponsorships: Opportunity School districts, DUI’s a felony for undocumented immigrants
  • DAVID SHAFER
    • Current state senator
    • Small business owner, campaign manager
    • Many bill sponsorships: Support for pregnancy resource centers, prohibiting increase in sales tax, prohibits state employee insurance coverage of abortions, proof of citizenship for voter registration, permitting public venue alcohol sales on Sundays, prohibiting sanctuary policies, and more
    • Highest rating from NRA
Relevant article: https://politics.myajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/georgia-lieutenant-governor-race-draws-political-veterans-newcomers/PgXZ6oDkeqZA9jFmvXTxRJ/

I’m going back and forth between Shafer and Duncan. All of them seem rather similar. Shafer has the longest record (and it seems like a positive one). But then, Shafer also has the Google sponsored search results associated with names of his opponents. That, and he has the background in campaigning. I think I lean towards Duncan, just because of that.

For Secretary of State
  • DAVID BELLE ISLE
    • Lawyer
    • Mayor of Alpharetta
    • Not much data available, due to limited history
  • BUZZ BROCKWAY
    • Real Estate Agent
    • State representative
    • Close second for American Conservative Union lifetime rating
    • Only candidate to provide “positions” for Votesmart.org
  • JOSH MCKOON
    • Lawyer
    • State senator
    • Strongest American Conservative Union lifetime rating
    • Strongest NRA Rating
    • Pushed for live streaming of legislative meetings
  • BRAD RAFFENSPERGER
    • Engineering/Business management, Steel manufacturing, Building manufacturing
    • State representative
    • Sponsored bill prohibiting undocumented immigrants from serving in local elected governments

Raffensperger has the most interesting “non-political” background. McKoon and Brockway both seem to have solid legislative histories. None of them are setting off any alarm bells. I think that I am leaning towards McKoon. I like his government transparency efforts.

For Commissioner of Insurance
  • JIM BECK
    • Former Deputy Insurance Commissioner
    • Marketing, Insurance, and organizational leadership background
    • Website lists specific promises on “priorities” page. Including increasing constituent accessibility, fraud punishment, and consumer protection
  • JAY FLORENCE
    • Former Deputy Insurance Commissioner
    • Enforcement attorney for Department of Insurance
    • “Issues” page does not give specific actions
  • TRACY JORDAN
    • City Council member
    • Pharmacist and realtor
    • Priorities include changing law to limit auto insurance rate hikes

Of these three, I think I lean towards Jim Beck. Florence has public sector experience, Jordan has business experience, Beck seems to have both.

For State School Superintendent
  • JOHN BARGE
  • RICHARD WOODS (Incumbent)
    • Has pushed local standards over Common Core and other DC-driven initiatives
    • Website touts initiatives during his term that have produced solid results
Woods is my choice here.

For Public Service Commissioner
  • JOHN HITCHINS III
  • TRICIA PRIDEMORE (Incumbent)
    • Appointed in January by Governor
    • Background: Chief Marketing Officer for an online marketing company


Very little info available on either candidate. Pridemore has just a little more information available. 

For U.S. Representative From the 3rd Congressional District of Georgia
  • DREW FERGUSON (Incumbent)
    • Dentist. Incumbent since 2017.
    • Cosponsored legislation on “protection of pain-capable unborn children” and concealed carry reciprocity
  • PHILIP SINGLETON
    • Army pilot, National Security officer
Ferguson was one of my "not ideal but acceptable" candidates last time he ran. So far, he hasn't been bad.


For State Senator From 16th District
  • MARTY HARBIN (Incumbent)
    • State senator since 2014
    • Insurance and financial services background
    • Tea party guy. Endorsement from NRA.
    • Traffic stop led to changing law. Not a “do you know who I am” moment as depicted in opposition advertising.
  • TRICIA STEARNS


NONPARTISAN GENERAL ELECTION
For Judge, Court of Appeals of Georgia
  • KEN HODGES
    • https://kenhodges.com
  • KEN SHIGLEY


Both seem to be qualified, and I don't see any red flags. But the fact that Shigley literally wrote the book on Tort Law is interesting.

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