Today is Presidents’ Day…a day historically recognized to celebrate our current President, as well as honoring those of the past. I think it is only appropriate to send our thoughts and prayers to our 39th President, Jimmy Carter, his wife Rosalyn of 62 years and their loved ones. Born and raised in southwest Georgia, peanut farmer-turned-president, Jimmy Carter is our longest living president in U.S. history. He is now preparing to spend his final days in hospice at his modest home in Plains, Georgia surrounded by cherished family and friends. We pray for peace and comfort for the entire Carter family in the coming weeks.
While many of us are enjoying a three-day Presidents’ Day weekend, I awaken a little later than normal to my silenced phone with “Breaking News” headlines that Joe Biden makes a surprise visit to war-torn Kyiv, Ukraine and meets with meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy – and hands him yet another blank check. Once again giving financial aid without proper oversight on the one-year anniversary of the conflict. Meanwhile on our home front, the southern invasion of illegal immigration intensifies as more migrants are crossing the northern border into the U.S. Instead of making the deadly trek across Cartel controlled points of entry, Mexicans are flying to Canada and then head south in freezing winter conditions. Additionally, you have Florida being invaded as well as many Cubans arrive daily in droves in makeshift boats. All the while, we U.S. military tracks a Chinese Balloon that was launched from Hainan Island and flew over the Continental U.S. before it was shot down off the South Carolina coast. But there is nothing to see here.
Well on the Republican side of politics, the Presidential Primary is heating up with Nikki Haley throwing her hat into the ring. Reminiscent of the 2016 Presidential Primary, there is speculation that several others will be joining President Donald J. Trump in a run for President. This time next year, we will be in full swing as the Iowa Republican presidential caucuses and New Hampshire Republican primary will have picked their nominee. Now, Georgia is a near lock to play an important role in determining who will be selected as the next president of the country in 2024.
As a nod to Georgia’s growing influence in the country’s political landscape, the national Democratic Party and Georgia’s Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger are endorsing the state moving up the presidential primary calendar – just not on the same timetable. A plan approved by the Democratic National Committee this month calls for Georgia to join the early presidential primary calendar on Feb. 13, 2024, just two weeks before South Carolina would hold its primaries. The question is whether Democrats can find momentum among the Republicans who control the Georgia statehouse and with the national GOP forces necessary to make such a change. The difference in where Georgia falls on the primary calendar requires both parties to agree to any changes, while a single party committee decides which city its convention will take place. So stay tuned and keep your popcorn popping!
It’s time to register for the the DeKalb GOP County Convention on Saturday, March 11th at 10 AM. Preregistration will close at NOON on Friday, March 10, 2023. Registration and check in for DeKalb GOP County Convention will open at 9:00 AM and the Caucus will convene at 10:00 AM at the following location: Stone Ridge Event Center which is located at 1750 Stone Ridge Dr., Suite A, Stone Mountain, GA 30083. We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Alveda King, Mayor Frank Auman, The Lakeside High School Color Guard and Andrea Johnson as our special guests!
Many thanks to Lucretia Hughes, Shelley Wynter, Melvin Everson, Terry Fye, Paulette Smith and to all who joined us at the DeKalb GOP Breakfast on Saturday morning to celebrate Black History Month. At this inspirational breakfast, we heard loud and clear that Black History is American History!
Finally, please be on deck to go to the Georgia Capitol (CLOB 307) on Thursday, February 23 at 8 AM to advocate for SB122 which amends the Election Integrity Act of 2021 (SB202). Amongst other items to ensure FITness – Faith, Integrity and Trust in our Elections, we have to close the Zuckerbuck Loophole (O.G.G.A. 21-2-71 and O.G.G.A. 21-2-212) to stop third party funding from influencing our elections.
We look forward to seeing all of you soon. Happy President’s Day! Thank you.
Warmest Regards,
Marci McCarthy, Chairman
DeKalb County Republican Party
chairman@dekalbgop.org