Senate releases proposed Congressional Map, moves Clyde out of Ninth?
Featured News, Featured Stories, News September 27, 2021
ATLANTA – The proposed Senate Congressional Map, presented by Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan and Senator John F. Kennedy, Chairman of the Senate Redistricting and Reapportionment Committee, makes significant changes to the Ninth District.
The map places Jackson County in the Tenth District. Ninth Congressman Andrew Clyde (R-Ga) resides in Jackson County. If the proposed map passes, Clyde could no longer serve as the Ninth Representative.
The proposed map places Pickens County entirely in the Ninth District. Also, Forsyth County moves entirely into the Sixth District and out of the Ninth. Madison, Elbert, and part of Clarke shift into the Tenth District as well.
Northern Gwinnett becomes part of the Ninth District and out of the Fourth but remains in the Seventh and Tenth.
The Senate bill will now go to the house and then into conference.
Every 10 years, the legislature redraws district lines according to Census population data. The political future of the state often hangs in the balance. Currently, Republicans control the House and Senate in the General Assembly.
“It is clear that this map not only meets principles of redistricting, but we are proud to present a map that regardless of political party, Georgians can be proud of,” said Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan. “Ensuring that any maps we produce are fair, compact, and keep communities of interest together, will continue to be of upmost importance.”
“Even given the delay of official Census numbers, the Senate Redistricting Committee has diligently worked to ensure that we hear from citizens across all regions of the state,” said Chairman John F. Kennedy. “Looking at this map, it is obvious that Georgians have been heard, and will continue to be heard.”
Georgia has 14 U.S. House seats, 56 state senators, and 180 state house members. 2020 Census data placed 10.7 million people in Georgia. Districts should have an equal number of people across those U.S. House, state senate, and state house districts.
Lawmakers on the Joint Reapportionment Committee are responsible for developing the new district maps. Sometime later this fall, the General Assembly will convene a special session concerning redistricting in Georgia.
Rep. Clyde discusses several Democrat sponsored bills
News, State & National March 11, 2021
ELLIJAY, Ga – Ninth District Representative Andrew Clyde (R – Ga) spoke about recent bills passed by the House of Representatives.
H.R. 127 focuses on gun control legislation and Clyde urged every American to call their Representatives concerning all the firearm bills. Universal background checks are a part of H.R. 8 and H.R. 1446 closes the Charleston loophole.
“There was no Charleston loophole,” Clyde asserted. “That bill simply extends the amount of time that the government has to respond to a background check.
The Representative, and gun store owner, plans to introduce another bill to change background check responses from three business days to three calendar days. He cited an issue that arose during the pandemic where some people had to wait weeks or months to pass background checks because the government was shutdown.
The Senate filibuster might prevent H.R. 8 or 1446 from moving forward. The bills would need 60 Senators agreeing to bring it to the floor for a vote.
Restore America Act
Clyde also focused on the Restore America Act and the provision for farmers and ranchers facing discrimination. 120 percent of a farmers’ USDA loan would be paid off under the bill, H.R. 1319. The 20 percent takes care of the taxes on the loans.
“There’s not discrimination there. The fact that they even got a loan is proof that’s there’s not discrimination,” Clyde spoke, “Pay off these farmers, 120 percent of their loan, but only if you are of another ethnicity other than white. Now that is racist, that is absolutely racist.”
Ninth District Representative called out Senator Raphael Warnock (D – Ga) and Coca-Cola for supporting the bill. He added, “how can that not bill a criminal violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964?” He wants the Department of Justice to investigate the provision based on the Civil Rights Act.
Later, Clyde commented that the bill is “biased toward blue states” because it’s based on unemployment numbers. Several Democrat-run states continue to experience higher unemployment than Republican states. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in December 2020, California had an unemployment rate of 9.1 while Georgia’s unemployment rate was 5.3 percent.
As for H.R. 1, the bill regulating elections on the federal level, Clyde believes it will die in the Senate.
https://youtu.be/qTKs7WG1V9URepublican chairwoman gets candid with Towns County Republican Party
News, Politics February 22, 2021
Towns County, Ga. – Rebecca Yardley, Chairwoman for the 9 District Republican Party, addressed the 2020 election, possible voter fraud, and 2022 candidates at Thursday’s Towns County Republican Party meeting.
Chairwoman Rebecca Yardley
In a mostly packed room of supporters, Yardley started the evening by addressing voter fraud concerns brought forth by the State Executive Committee of the Georgia Republican Party after losing the presidential race and two senate seats late last year. Since that point, Republicans have been eager to find solutions and avoid a repeat in the future. Consequently, the Georgia Republican Party created the Election Confidence Task Force.
“We know that the mainstream media would tell us that there was no fraud. I’m not going to stand here and tell you that,” proclaimed Yardley. “I know first hand that there was fraud.”
Spearheaded by Atlanta attorney Brad Carver, the task force published its recommendations on Wednesday, February 17. The ten-page, nonbinding report is the Georgia Republican Party’s blueprint to state lawmakers as they look to craft election integrity policy for the remaining days of the legislative session.
“We as grassroots activists have got to spend the remainder of this legislative session ensuring that we are staying on top of our legislators to get some election integrity enacted in the Georgia legislature, said Yardley. “I’m proud to say that your Georgia Republican Party is leading the way on that.”
Here are some of the recommendations from the task force:
- Requiring photo ID verification for all absentee ballot applications and ballots.
- Allowing videotaping of all election activity except voters casting their ballots.
- Eliminating third-party and government solicitation of absentee ballot applications.
- Replacing all Dominion software with auditable and transparent software.
- Prohibiting so-called mobile voting locations, except in the case of a natural disaster.
See the entire report here.
It’s worth noting that Republican leadership wasted no time tackling this session’s voter integrity issues. Speaker David Ralston (R – Blue Ridge) echoed this message in a pre-session press conference where he announced the creation of a Special Committee of Election Integrity. The house committee has been consistently meeting while debating many of the exact solutions that the Election Confidence Task Force outlined in its report.
Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger
While Yardley spent a majority of her time talking about the Election Confidence Task Force, it was her comment about current Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger that sent the room into applause.
“…It may get me in trouble with the Georgia Republican Party, but I’ll take those licks and keep on ticking. Ladies and gentlemen, this district chair ain’t backing Brad Raffensperger,” said Yardley.
However, Yardley wasn’t done giving the room something else to cheer about. As an outspoken supporter of Doug Collins, she also weighed in on the Senate and Governor’s race.
“They [AJC] posted a great article about a friend of mine today. So if you know Doug Collins; if you like Doug Collins; or if you’re like my family and you love Doug Collins, you know that he’s looking at running either in 2022 for the Senate seat or to be the next Governor of the great state of Georgia.”
Andrew Clyde declares victory in Georgia’s Ninth District
Featured, Featured News, Featured Stories, News August 12, 2020
NORTH GEORGIA – Earlier tonight, Andrew Clyde said, “I’m declaring victory tonight” to a room full of supporters in Commerce, Ga. after he clinched the GOP nomination for the U.S. House of Representatives Ninth District seat.
The night ended fairly early for gun shop owner and Navy Veteran with the race being called before 10 p.m. on Tuesday, August 11. Clyde won 55.96 percent of the vote with 85 percent reporting. Gurtler received 44.04 percent of the vote. He carried at least 15 of the 20 counties in the Ninth District. Gilmer County was still out at the time this article was published.
President Donald Trump has already called Clyde to congratulate him on winning a hard-fought race.
Clyde at his victory party in Commerce. Ga.
Now that the runoff is over, Clyde and company will turn their eyes to November. The Republican candidate will face Democrat Devin Pandy, who also won his runoff tonight.
Whoever wins on November 3rd will take Representative Doug Collins (R) seat in the House of Representatives. Collins is currently in a race for Kelly Loeffler’s (R) senate seat.
Clyde will be appearing on FYNTV.com with Brian Pritchard on Thursday at 8.am.
See how all the statewide races in FYN’s coverage area turned out, here.
Interested in viewing local races? Visit the specific county to see who won their runoffs.
FYN sends our condolences to the family of Bill Kokaly
Community, Featured, Featured Stories June 12, 2020
FYN’s saddened to report the passing of dear friend and longtime Field Representative for Congressman Doug Collins, Bill Kokaly. He moved on to a better world on Friday morning of June 12 after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Kokaly loyally served Collins since the congressman’s first campaign and was instrumental in managing the military academy nominations for Ninth District high school students.
He retired from the United States Air Force after 20 years of service in 1996, and passionately represented Collins’ military constituents whenever they needed assistance. Additionally, he discussed public policy and issues of interest at Ninth District events in order to better understand the citizens.
An outpouring of condolences for Kokaly’s family is taking place across Georgia and the Ninth District. Collins released a statement mourning Kokaly’s passing on June 12:
“Like most people, I have been blessed with childhood friends who have walked with me and my family through every phase of life, constant in a sea of ever-changing tides. However, I believe that God brings other folks into your life at the right time to help you through a season in your life that only that person can fill. This morning one of those people finished his calling.
“It is with a very heart that I have to announce that Bill Kokaly died this morning. Bill has been with me from the beginning of my first campaign for Congress and has been a part of my staff – and more importantly, a part of my family – ever since. His amazing dedication to the work of the 9th District and to his family will never be replaced. He was a man of passion and strength, which is growing rare in these times.
Bill and I both shared a love of, as Bill would put it, our Air Force. The old MSgt never left his service behind. There is one group this morning that will miss Mr. Bill as much as I do, and that is all of the students that he helped get accepted to the service academies. He loved each and every one of those kids and followed their careers just like a proud parent.
To his wife, Gail, and the rest of Bill’s family, we share your pain and hold you close in our prayers. On a personal note, I will miss you, my friend. You taught me so much and I will miss our time together. Your season in my life ended too soon but I am the blessed one to have even had this season with you at all. God bless you, my friend. We will miss you.”
People throughout Georgia continue to leave condolences on social media.
Georgia Speaker of the House David Ralston also released a statement of mourning and commemoration of Kokaly:
“I was so sorry to learn of the passing of my friend, Bill Kokaly, this morning. Bill served our Congressman Doug Collins and represented him at countless events and community gatherings in North Georgia.
“A tireless worker and selfless servant, Bill never met a stranger and would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. He worked everyday to build up our community and see a better tomorrow for our children and grandchildren.
“I will miss his friendship and his infectious generous spirit. My prayers go out to his bride, Gail, and his family in this difficult time. May he rest in well-deserved peace.”
We at FYN send our prayers, thoughts, and condolences to Kokaly’s wife Gail, and his family. He was a great man who genuinely wanted the best for everyone in the Ninth District, the state of Georgia, and the United States. Kokaly’s lifelong career of service to his country will be remembered and valued by all who knew him. May he rest in peace.
To read people’s memories of Bill Kokaly, please view Congressman Collins’ Facebook page.
Images were taken from Kokaly’s and Collins’ Facebook.