Thank you Eric Johnson voters and all GOP candidates.

First, thank you to every one who ran for office. Most people pay no attention. Some people pay attention and complain. Some people pay attention and work. Very few actually run for office. Congratulations to the winners – especially Gary Black for Agriculture Commissioner! I’m disappointed for many who ran and did not win this time but very thankful that I’ve heard not a word about fraud in any of the elections. A clean loss is much easier to deal with than a crooked loss (it’s been known to happen in Georgia history.)



Thank you to so many old and new, near and far, friends who joined me in supporting Eric Johnson for Governor. It became a razor thin race with a heartbreaking conclusion for Johnson supporters. Eric finished strong and ran a clean campaign. Statewide, he went from 2% to 55% name recognition – an expensive task which required a serious plan. Read Eric’s characteristically classy thank you and campaign wrap up.

Wondering what he’ll do next? According to the Savannah news, “Experts say Eric Johnson has a future in politics if he wants one.” Emory University political science professor Merle Black says “Johnson impressed me.  He really knows how to make a point and gain the attention of his audience.” My thoughts – wouldn’t any public policy foundation love to have someone like that?

I trust Eric Johnson to be a real Republican Governor

Polls close in less than 22 hours. If you will vote in the Republican Primary tomorrow, please vote for Eric Johnson for Governor.

Eric is the Republican who is running a campaign FOR Governor and FOR his agenda on jobs and education.

His is the honest conservative campaign with momentum. Eric is moving up in the race while former frontrunners slide.

Eric is the conservative who can win August 10 and November 2.

I support Eric Johnson for Governor because over 30 years I've known him as:

1. 
   
   a genuine Reagan Republican. He was there as a Chatham County YR founder and volunteer for Mack Mattingly for US Senate and Reagan for President in 1980.
2. 
   
   a solid Southern conservative and lifelong Republican. Did you know that of the "top four" there are 2 former Democrats, 1 Southern lifelong Republican, and 1 Maryland (apparently) lifelong Republican? Let's nominate a reliable genuine Republican. Someone who knows Georgia and whose record is unequivocal and known to anyone who looks.
3. 
   
   a citizen-politician who maintains a real career as an employer and producer in the private sector. Eric is a veteran legislator and leader - knowledgeable on the issues and the state budget and bureaucracy. But fortunately in Georgia as opposed to DC, being a legislator is a parttime citizen role, not a fulltime profession. Eric has decades of business development experience - with the priorities our state needs.
4. 
   
   a knowledgeable person of integrity, leadership, and courage.As Congressman Jack Kingston said on July 12, "Eric is the kind of person who does the right thing when no one is looking.
   He's just that kind of person. In public or private, he's the same."
   Eric was the Senator who put state legislators tax filing records under the bright spotlight - to be sure those who vote on taxes pay their taxes.
   Eric led the successful fight to pass comprehensive ethics reform - restricting lobbying by ex-legislators and agency heads; increasing disclosure; providing whistle blower protection and more. It raised Ga from 26th to 6th in the nation according to the nonpartisan Center for Public Integrity's Ethics Report Card.
   Eric is the only Republican who has disclosed his income tax returns.
   And you can count on Eric to  have the courage of his convictions.
5. 
   
   and lifelong supporter of limited government and freedom to choose.  Want more evidence?
   State Senator Tommie Williams recaps Eric's legislative record well.
   The Paulding County Republican Examiner highlights Eric's record, platform, and endorsements

As a former state senator from Savannah running in a field with two statewide officials from metro Atlanta, he has had to build, earn, and buy name recognition. 

He's doing it. With Karen Handel slinging lipstick at Deal and Oxendine and Deal shooting back, Eric is the one running a campaign on issues, credibility, and character.

His target is not the other Republicans. It's Roy Barnes and the oppressive agenda that  Obama/Reid/Pelosi are forcing on states, citizens, and businesses. 

And now he's moving to the front of the pack.

Please join me in supporting Eric Johnson - an educated, knowledgeable, smart, capable person who handles challenges with directness, grace, and courage.

If you've already voted, please ask or remind at least TWO other people to vote for him too. Don't stop until 7:00 pm Tuesday! Every vote is important.

Eric Johnson is our best choice for Governor - by Tommie Williams

Eric Johnson is our Best Choice for Governor

 Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at 10:09am

Twelve years ago I was elected to the Senate by the good people of the 6th district. My district is now the 19th district due to some awful gerrymandering done by Roy Barnes and company. If anyone is considering re-electing Roy they should look at those old maps that he used to disrespect the people of Georgia and the whole institution of representative government.
Like most legislators that live a long distance away from Atlanta and the capital, I have had to rent an apartment when the legislature is in session. Eric Johnson was kind enough to take me as a green Senator from south Georgia on as a roommate and trained me in the art of being an effective legislator. Eric moved quickly up the leadership ladder due to his skill and tenacity in fighting for the conservative principles. I know he will take those same skills and principles to the Governor’s office.
During every election cycle, constituents ask me who they should vote for. I tell them what I know about the candidates since I have worked closely with most of the candidates on the ballot. This year is an exception in that many of the candidates have not been in the legislature. Having lived with Eric Johnson and serving with him in the General Assembly for the last 12 years, I think I know him well enough to say that he is far and away the most capable candidate for Governor.
Like Paul Coverdell, Eric is a worker. While he served as the minority leader of the Republican caucus he was successful in standing up for conservative principles. While many take credit for the republican take over, it was Eric Johnson that led the Senate in defeating Roy Barnes and company and giving Georgia a two party system. It was Eric that led the Senate challenge in Federal Court to change the horrible gerrymandered maps that were forced upon georgians by Roy Barnes and the Democrats.
Eric Johnson has lived up to his legislative promises. Just to name a few of the conservative legislation passed while Eric Johnson was leading the Senate:
Tort Reform.
This was important legislation that curbed frivolous lawsuits and has helped particularly rural areas of the state recruit and keep good doctors.
Protecting the Life of the Unborn.
He helped lead the fight to pass the woman’s right to know act.
Ethics Reforms
Introduced legislation to ensure legislators who failed to pay their own taxes were held accountable to the public.
Tax Cuts
Eric was a leader in passing some of the largest tax cuts in Georgia history.
Cutting Wasteful Spending
Due in part to Eric’s leadership in the senate, Georgia has the lowest debt per capita of any state in the country. He helped reform our budget process to bring transparency and accountability to the budget.
Fair Redistricting Maps
Eric fought for fair districts that respected the people of Georgia and representative government
Immigration
Helped to pass some of the strongest immigration enforcement laws in the country and has promised to protect the tax payers of Georgia in the same way that Arizona has done once he is Governor.
Property Rights
Eric fought to strengthen and protect the rights of property owners by restricting government powers of eminent domain

While other gubernatorial candidates will talk about what they will do, Eric is the only Republican candidate that can talk about what he or she has done.
Eric Johnson keeps his promises. During Eric Johnson's entire political career Eric has remained faithful to his wife and family. As Governors across this country have embarrassed their citizens, it is important to hire someone that understands the importance of public trust, and Eric Johnson is just the guy for the job.
The Governor of Georgia has tremendous power and influence within the Georgia constitution and in statute. Eric is the only candidate with the character, wisdom and experience to be entrusted with so much power. This is an important election and I urge you to vote for Eric Johnson for Governor.
# # #
Sen. Tommie Williams serves as President Pro Tempore. He represents the 19th Senate District, which includes Appling, Jeff Davis, Long, Montgomery, Toombs, Wayne, and Wheeler counties and a portion of Liberty and Tattnall counties. He can be reached at 404.656.0089 or by email at tommie.williams@Senate.ga.gov.

Why Senator Chip Rogers supports Eric Johnson for Governor

This is an email received from Chip Rogers, Ga State Senate Majority Leader, on July 17, 2010.

I've had the honor of serving my community for 8 years in the General Assembly. The time in elected office has meant a number of political campaigns. In each campaign during these 8 years I have lived by one simple standard - I have never mentioned my political opponent in any form of advertising.

 

The voters deserve to know where I stand on the issues, not something bad about an opponent. In fact, most of the opponents I have run against are very good and decent people.

 

Eric Johnson has run a clean campaign for Governor, focusing on his conservative record and conservative agenda.

 

This week he called for a stop to negative ads.

 

I applaud him for this and it makes me even more proud to support his campaign.

 

When it could be very easy to retaliate for false accusations made against him, I appreciate Eric's positive message about the issues:

 

"Attacks on our fellow Republicans aren't going to create one job, they aren't going to stop one teacher furlough day, they're not going to lower taxes for one Georgia family," said Johnson.  

"It's time for us to focus on the issues that matter and that is why I am calling on my opponents to put an immediate end to the attacks."

 

 

If you're still "undecided" about the Governor's race, then I hope you will consider Eric Johnson.