2018 Secretary of State Election Taking Shape
The upcoming election will shake up Georgia from West Paces to the local city council. I’m not talking about 2016; I’m talking 2018. Whispers of potential candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor have run amuck for months as have conversations about who will replace the positions held by those ambitious politicians. One that comes up time and time again is Secretary of State.
It’s important to remember that everyone with a pulse and a sliver of ambition is eyeballing the Secretary of State’s office. I’ve heard whispers from various staffers and consultants gauging support for potential candidates. Even a county GOP chairman mentioned he might run for the spot.
According to the AJC, Senator Michael Williams, the first elected Trump supporter in Georgia, is a potential candidate. The first term senator from Cumming probably wasn’t a name you were exoecting to enter the Secretary of State field. His first two years at the Capitol were fairly uneventful. He avoided most of the drama, his legislation was conservative, and he kept his list of enemies short. He replaced a powerful senator with powerful friends and equally powerful enemies. Senator Williams was smart to avoid using firebrand tactics.
Then he endorsed Trump. The political class gagged and his constituents cheered. In Forsyth County, endorsing Trump is a natural choice. Now that he’s eyeing a statewide campaign, he will undoubtedly tap into Trump’s Georgia network. His consultant, Seth Weathers, was Trump’s first paid staffer in Georgia. While Weathers no longer works for Trump, he maintains close ties with the campaign.
If Senator Williams institutes the same strategy he used to beat a powerful incumbent, he will be a forced to be reckoned with.
About Author
Will Kremer
Will is an active member of the Georgia Republican grassroots. He previously served as Chairman of the Georgia Association of College Republicans, 2nd Vice Chairman of the 7th District Republican Party, and Treasurer of the Forsyth County Republican Party. Promise Land = Forsyth County.
Add a Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Well, if Seth Weathers runs his race then the SOS race will probably be the first race to jump into the gutter.
It’s testament to Georgia education that a politician representing a well-educated County with a good system that a Trump endorsement is a natural choice.
Methinks talk of his candidacy will cool down considerably on November 9.
Is that when Kemp is going to decide he’s not running for Governor and this entire discussion is for nothing?
May he go the way of The Ox.
Well, Ox should probably be in jail. I don’t think Kemp deserves to be in jail.
Nah, I just want him to leave the SoS office to make room for someone competent then run and lose in the primary to someone competent to be a Governor.