Atlanta Tea Party Report, State news

The Atlanta Tea Party was soggy, but successful. Thanks to all of our AFP members and other Georgians, who slogged through torrential rain to send a message to DC about mortgage bailouts and other wasteful government spending. Around 300 people brought posters, children, strollers, and umbrellas to the protest on the State Capitol steps last Friday. Hundreds more let us know they wanted to be there, but were working.

View photos here.

Many of our state legislators came out and got soaked with us. Speakers included State Reps. Tom Graves and Austin Scott, State Senators Chip Rogers and David Shafer, Insurance Comm. John Oxendine, and representatives from the several conservative organizations that put the event together. Watch a video here.

3rd Annual AFP-GA Day at the Capitol Americans For Prosperity- Georgia's 3rd Annual Day at the Capitol is Thursday, March 19. This event gives opportunities for you to tour the Capitol, observe the Legislature in action, lobby your legislator (with as much guidance from us as you may need), and enjoy speeches during our luncheon from our elected officials who “get it.” RSVP now on our webpage – space is limited.

Note: If the links above don’t seem to work, it may be due to the security settings on your computer. If you cannot change those, you may RSVP at vgalloway@afphq.org also.

(From Americans for Prosperity, www.AmericansforProsperity.org)

Elections are already heating up in Georgia!

Confirmed today that Secretary of State Karen Handel (R) is running for Georgia Governor. Personally, I think that's great. She'd do a phenomenal job as Governor.

It's going to be interesting though with Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and State Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine already campaigning on the Republican side.

On the Democrat side David Poythress has already announced and has been popping out press releases and info on a regular basis.

Former Governor Roy Barnes name is oft floated, but there has been no concrete info to date that I'm privy to saying he's definitely going to run.

State Senator David Shafer (R) is running for Lt. Governor. Shafer is a good guy, even though he represents Duluth he's been to Fayette County many times and is well-known to many. (www.votedavid.com if you'd like more info*).

State Senator Eric Johnson (R - Savannah) has also announced he'll be running for the Lt. Governor position being vacated by Casey Cagle.

It's early. The election is in 2010, but these days it seems you have to get your name out there early.

I'm sure before it's all said and done that we'll have a few more candidates in the race. I'll try to keep you posted if I can keep up!

On the local Fayette County level, Don Haddix has announced he'll be running for Peachtree City Mayor. You'll find his letter on why he's running on the front of the Fayette Front Page.

*We'll be providing links to the websites of all candidates. As always, the Fayette Front Page and the Georgia Front Page offer ALL candidates a free page on the site and a free blog. For more info email the Editor.