AVOC encourages voters to research the candidates. This article has links to websites with photos and information on the candidates.…. Nathan Deal is a very competent person and is a person of integrity. AVOC enthusiastically endorses Nathan Deal for Governor. ………. AVOC feels Brian Kemp is very capable and is the best choice for Secretary of State. …. AVOC enthusiastically endorses Sam Olens for Attorney General……

AVOC

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June 22, 2010

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Georgia Candidates for State Office Supported by AVOC

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By Wendell Dawson, Editor, AVOC, Inc

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This year’s elections for State Offices has more vacancies and candidates than I can remember.   A statement made often is, “I don’t know who to vote for!”    AVOC had that feeling in some races and has endeavored to research the candidates and hear the opinions of others.   AVOC encourages voters to research the candidates.    This article has links to websites with photos and information on the candidates.

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I have known some of the candidates for a long time and base some of AVOC’s choices on personal knowledge.   As an Elected Official, I attended functions and interacted with Senator Johnny Isakson and feel he is a good Senator and AVOC supports his re-election.   I was involved in a court case with Nathan Deal about 20 years ago and also saw him on occasions as a Congressman.    Nathan Deal is a very competent person and is a person of integrity.   AVOC enthusiastically endorses Nathan Deal for Governor.

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Nathan Deal for Governor

www.dealforgovernor.com

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Lt. Governor Casey Cagle has done a good job and AVOC supports him for re-election.   Brian Kemp did a good job as our State Senator and is a good person.   AVOC feels Brian Kemp is very capable and is the best choice for Secretary of State.   Sam Olens is an attorney who is former Chairman of the Cobb County Commission and Atlanta Regional Commission.   I have talked with him and shared fellow “Chairman War Stories”.   AVOC enthusiastically endorses Sam Olens for Attorney General.

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Brian Kemp for Secretary of State

www.KempMeansBusiness.com

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Sam Olens for Attorney General

www.olensforag.com

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I do not personally know candidates for State School Superintendent.    Democrat Joe Martin receives high marks in some quarters.   However, he has been around a long time.   The Interim Supt, Brad Bryant, has some good credentials but he is running as an Independent and that may be an uphill job.   John D. Barge is an educator and has an impressive background and is not a longtime politician.  AVOC endorses John D. Barge for State School Superintendent.

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For Commissioner of Insurance AVOC endorses Gerry Purcell who has an interesting background working in the Insurance field.  He also is not a longtime politician.   For Commissioner of Agriculture AVOC endorses Darwin Carter, a farmer and not a longtime politician or lobbyist.   He managed USDA programs in the Reagan Administration.   He is 70 years old but we do not need to keep him in office for 40 years!

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For Commissioner of Labor AVOC endorses Melvin Everson.   Everson is a state representative but not a longtime politician.   Mr. Everson is an African-American and seems a good fit to carry on some of the positive accomplishments of outgoing Commissioner Michael Thurmond.   For Public Service Commission, District 2 – Eastern AVOC endorses Jeff May.   Rep May has represented Walton County in the State House for six years.   He is recommended by my Walton County contacts.

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Melvin Everson for Commissioner of Labor

www.melvineverson.com

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AVOC is pleased with the number and quality of candidates for state offices.   As citizens, we need to research and then vote for the best candidate.

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Georgia State Officials Primary Election on July 20, 2010

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Background Details:

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United States Senator - Johnny Isakson (Incumbent)

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Johnny Isakson (Incumbent)
P.O. Box 250116
Atlanta, GA  30325

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Party: Republican 
Age: 65
Occupation: United States Senator
Website: http://www.johnnyisakson.com

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1. Johnny served 17 years in the Georgia Legislature and three years as Chairman of the Georgia Board of Education;
2. He was elected three times to the U.S. House before winning his U.S. Senate seat in 2004. He will be up for reelection to the Senate in 2010;
3. In Washington, Johnny helped pass the largest tax cut in a generation in 2001, and is committed to making it permanent.

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Governor - Nathan Deal

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Nathan Deal
P.O. Box 2495
Gainesville, GA  30503

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Party: Republican 
Age: 67
Occupation: Former Congressman
Website: www.dealforgovernor.com

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1. Nathan is highly regarded for his leadership at home and in Washington. Throughout his over 30 years of public service, Nathan has earned the respect of his colleagues, his constituents, and the people of Georgia for his character and his dedication to advancing traditional Georgia values………
2. The American Conservative Union named Nathan Deal "A Defender of Liberty," their highest legislative honor. Nathan has a lifetime "A" rating from the National Rifle Association. He consistently earns the highest marks from immigration reform groups;
3. These groups have all learned what Georgians have known for a long time; Nathan Deal is as conservative as they come. He champions tax cuts and limited government and he advocates free-market solutions, not government takeovers or bailouts. He's a passionate, consistent defender of innocent, unborn life.

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Lieutenant Governor - L.S. Casey Cagle (Incumbent)

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L.S. Casey Cagle
4143 Ashford Way
Gainesville, GA  30507

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Party: Republican 
Age: 44
Occupation: Businessman

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Secretary Of State - Brian Kemp (Incumbent)

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Brian Kemp (Incumbent)
PO Box 5187
Athens, GA  30604

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Party: Republican 
Age: 46
Occupation: Small Business Owner

www.KempMeansBusiness.com

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1.      ..Kemp served in the Georgia State Senate from 2002-2006…….. Highly regarded in the Senate, Kemp served in key committee leadership roles including Chair of Public Safety & Homeland Security, Vice-Chair of Higher Education, and Secretary of Agriculture & Consumer Affairs. He also served as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee;

2.      …….lifelong resident of Athens, Georgia, Brian Kemp is a graduate of Georgia's public schools and of the University of Georgia where he earned a Bachelors of Science in Agriculture.

3.      Over his career, Brian Kemp has helped found and develop many small businesses. Today, among his many business interests, he is the owner of Kemp Properties, a small business specializing in real estate investments and property management. An active community leader, Kemp also serves on the board of St. Mary's Hospital in Athens.

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Attorney General - Sam Olens

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Sam Olens
1788 Chadds Lake Dr, Ne
Marietta, GA  30068-1610

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Party: Republican 
Age: 52
Occupation: Attorney
Website:www.olensforag.com

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1. Sam Olens is the immediate past Chairman of the Cobb County Board of Commissioners and the Atlanta Regional Commission;
2. With his successful tenure and management of Cobb County’s 4,500 employees, Olens was re-elected Chairman of Cobb County without opposition in 2008. His conservative, common-sense and fiscally responsible management of one of the state’s largest counties has won him many awards and accolades;
3. …..Sam Olens has practiced law in Georgia for more than 25 years, successfully representing clients in both state and federal courts.

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State School Superintendent - John D. Barge

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John D. Barge
P.O. Box 129
Rome, GA  30162

Party: Republican 
Age: 43
Occupation: Education Administrator
Website: http://www.electjohnbarge.com

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1. John Barge was born and raised in Cobb County;
2. Graduating from Berry in 1988 at age 21 with a B.A. degree in Communications and Public Relations;
3. John has earned three advanced degrees, a master’s degree and a specialist’s degree from The State University of West Georgia and his doctorate degree from the University of Georgia;
4. John serves as the Director of Secondary Curriculum & Instruction with the Bartow County School System;
5. Experience at the state level with the Georgia Department of Education as the State Director for Career-Technical and Agriculture Education

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Commissioner Of Insurance – Gerry Purcell

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Gerry Purcell

5665 Atlanta Highway
Suite 103-115
Alpharetta, GA  30004

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Party: Republican 
Age: 48
Occupation: Businessman
Website: www.gerrypurcell.com

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1.Native of Toccoa, Georgia and currently lives on a horse farm in Alpharetta;

2.Military Intelligence Officer, serving in various Brigade and Battalion level positions, including Adjutant;

3.Recipient of the George C. Marshall Leadership Award;

4.A nationally known health care expert;

4.Saved millions for governments and businesses large and small, working with them to lower health care costs with common-sense, free-market solutions;

5.Managed multimillion dollar budgets and led thousands of people;

6.Currently a small business owner.

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Commissioner Of Agriculture – Darwin Carter

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Darwin Carter
1720 West Fourth Street Extension
Alma, GA  31510

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Party: Republican 
Age: 70
Occupation: Farmer/ AG Businessman
Website: www.darwincarter.com

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The experience level began with Darwin Carter's rearing on a farm in rural Bacon County, Georgia continuing through his myriad of agricultural experience leading to the management of worldwide multi-billion dollar budgeted USDA programs for President Ronald Reagan

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Commissioner Of Labor – Melvin Everson

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Melvin Everson
P.O. Box 1006
Snellville, GA  30078

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Party: Republican 
Age: 52
Occupation: Minister
Website:www.melvineverson.com

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1.      State Representative from Gwinnett County;

2.      He served 23 years in the military before retiring in 1999.

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Public Service Commission, District 2 – Eastern – Jeff May

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Jeff May
P.O. 883
Monroe, GA  30655

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Party: Republican 
Age: 41
Occupation: Business Owner
Website:www.jeffmayforpsc.com

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1. Served Walton County and the State of Georgia for the last six years as a State Representative in the Georgia House of Representatives;
2. The current Vice Chairman of the Majority House Republican Caucus;
3. Elected by peers at the Capitol to a leadership position for the last four years;
4. Earned a Bachelors of Business Administration degree in Business Management from the University of West Georgia;
5. Small Business Owner: has owned and operated his own business for the past 17 years.