Hey y’all, we won last night! Holy cow we won! Now let out a cheer, grab a cup of coffee, and please listen to why you should boost up an upstart campaign in west Georgia. (If you’re convinced already, donate here)
Georgia’s third district is a sprawling one, covering portions of thirteen counties, over 700,000 residents, and around 240,000 (and climbing) households. I live in the bustling metropolis of Newnan, in the middle of Coweta county. During the civil war Coweta was home to the Battle of Brown’s Mill, and Newnan was rare city that wasn’t burned to the ground during the war.
Newnan was a small, small town until very recently. It’s size doubled between the 2000 and 2010 censuses, from 16,000 to over 33,000. It’s still growing, as opportunities in hospitals and the aviation industry expand and attract new people. What used to be an extremely rural area is turning into the modern American town.
To the east of Newnan is Fayette County and Peachtree City. Peachtree is a planned city of 34,000, and their plan is complete. It’s a great city with wonderful schools, and a large number of Delta Air Lines employees. You would think “That sounds like it could be a really GOP leaning area,” and you’d be right. But on the 5th we still elected Kevin Madden, chair of the 3rd CD Democratic Committee, to the Peachtree City Council.
To the northwest is Carrolton, home of the University of West Georgia. To the south is Luthersville, home to my state representative and the Georgia House Minority Leader, Bob Trammell. Farther south is Columbus, but only a small portion is in the third district. To the southeast is Zebulon, home to an awesome bookstore, and Thomaston and Upson County, where Chris Benton is having the second EVER meeting of Upson County Democrats tomorrow night. If you can’t be there, I’ll be on Facebook Live, spreading some hope and encouragement to elect more Democrats, including Crhis and myself.
As for me, I introduced myself back in 2011, and in March decided to run for Congress. I had considered running before the election, expecting a Clinton presidency and an experience building run for office, but then things got real. They got realer at our first staff meeting, where I was told I had between 30-40% odds at the moment.
That was in April. They’ve gone up now.
Even with those better odds, this is uphill. I don’t have the personal fortune to self-fund, the inspirational backstory of my friend Amy McGrath, or a network of Democrats from years of working in the local parties. I’ve got a work ethic that just keeps grinding. I’ve got an ability to learn new systems, so I can do things like create a website, or make my own videos. I’ve got values that resonate, and a drive to make this country better for everyone in it.
I’ve got friends that believe in me. Some volunteer on the campaign staff, riding a few hours with me to meet with 20 people at a restaurant. Some have donated talent and money to the campaign, helping design our handouts and graphics, or giving me the funds we need to take on this huge undertaking. Some I meet at picnics and cookouts, hugging me and thanking me for finally giving them someone they can vote for, and who can actually win this race.
Last night proved that candidates matter. Doug Jones wouldn’t be Senator if he wasn’t running against a uniquely repellent opponent. In Georgia Three, I get to run against Generic Republican, Representative Drew Ferguson. He votes party line, doesn’t speak to constituents, and gets his money from corporate PACs.
I can win this because I can pull away some of Drew’s key constituencies. Peachtree City is a pilot’s city. Rep. Ferguson wants their votes for the primary, but I can win them in the general. The consensus among local Democratic strategists is if we can win Peachtree, we can win the district. I can peel off veterans groups since I’m still in the Marines and, well, I’m not voting to destroy the VA, Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. My father runs a dry cleaners in Little Rock, and I understand the demands of running a small business. This district doesn’t have enough Democrats to win with them alone. We have to pull apart the GOP coalition, and I’m the right person to do that.
We need everyone’s help to do it. Our magic number is around 165,000 votes, and we realistically need about $10 from each of those voters to run a winning campaign. My donors are all people who are giving what they can, and that’s unique in this district. See for yourself at the FEC’s page. While you’re there, take a look at Drew’s numbers, marvel at how low they are for an incumbent, and then help push the Democratic challenger higher.
We’re all inspired by Doug Jones’s victory last night. Now please help those of us who are working to take back the house, and donate to a hard working Kossack in Georgia.
I’ll be around all day, ask questions, and I’ll answer them honestly. Or find me on Facebook or Twitter and follow us there.