Republican Houston Gaines Is A Candidate In HD 117 Once More

We received a press release earlier in the day from Houston Gaines who ran to succeed Republican State Rep. Regina Quick after she resigned to accept an appointment as Superior Court judge in the Western Circuit. You can read the full presser below.

Gaines lost the special election by a little over 6 percentage points (a 474 vote difference with less than 20% turnout) to Democrat Deborah Gonzalez. Democrats have had victories in special elections, but we all know that special elections can be strange animals. Democrats have been motivated by trying to make each and every election (local, state, or federal) a referendum against President Donald Trump.

Will incumbent Democratic State Rep. Gonzalez be able to hold on to the seat, or was it an anomaly? We’ll have a definite answer this November.

Houston Gaines announces 2018 campaign for District 117

Athens Republican Houston Gaines announced today that he will run for the House District 117 seat this year and named his leadership committee with representation from Clarke, Oconee, Barrow and Jackson counties.

“This district wants and deserves conservative leadership at the state Capitol – and that’s not what it’s getting now,” said Gaines. “I’m going to provide our district a conservative alternative to the out-of-touch representation we have today.”

“I have lived in this district my entire life and had the privilege of graduating from the university in my hometown. My family’s roots run deep here. Just as my grandfather served this community as a judge, I want to work on behalf of my neighbors in this district to bring high-paying jobs to this region, invest in education to bolster our workforce and prepare students for the careers of tomorrow and protect the high quality of life we enjoy here.”

The race will present a rematch between Gaines and Democrat State Rep. Deborah Gonzalez, who won the seat by a narrow 450-vote margin in a special election last year to fill the unexpired term of Regina Quick.

“Special elections are – as evidenced by their name – unique,” Gaines said. “The dynamics in 2018 will be inherently different, as will our campaign. That’s why we are announcing today, in early February, almost 9 months from Election Day. I’m ready to get to work speaking directly to every voter in this district to hear what issues are most important to them, let them know my vision for our state, and to provide a clear contrast with my opponent.”

Rep. Gonzalez will remain in the legislative session through late March.

“Deborah Gonzalez has made it clear that she is committed to the far-left ideologies that mirror the most radical wing of the Democrat Party,” said Joan Rhoden, President of the Conservative Republican Women of Northeast Georgia. “Those aren’t the values of District 117, and those left-wing policies do not represent the heart of District 117. We have a choice in Houston Gaines. Houston will give us a voice and will provide a refreshing option from our current liberal activist legislator. While Deborah Gonzalez spends her time putting out inflammatory and divisive statements attacking law enforcement agencies and advocating for sanctuary cities, Houston will take a strong stand to support law enforcement and the policies that help keep our communities safe.”

Gaines also announced the following as the leadership committee for his House campaign:

Clarke County:

Kitty Culpepper

Barbara & Vince Dooley

Joan & Gordon Rhoden

Jenny Sligh

Oconee County:

Commission Chairman John Daniell

Tammy Gilland

School Board Chairman Tom Odom

Barrow County:

Commission Chairman Pat Graham

Clay Kelley

Mike Pentecost

Jackson County:

Katie Griffin

Ron Johnson

Sheriff Janis Mangum