State Convention A Success:Jones, Payne, and Childree
Assume New Duties in 9th District
The 2008 Georgia Republican Convention convened in Columbus, Georgia on May 16 and 17, 2008. Over 1,000 Republicans from across the state met to conduct business and select delegates and alternates to the National Convention later this summer.
For the state convention, Sue Everhart ensured that the 9th District was well-represented on the committees for the weekend. Kevin Harris was asked to serve on the Nominations Committee. Mary Ellen Childree participated with each of the 13 District Chairs as a member of the Rules Committee. Josh Turner and Andrew Miller were on the Resolutions Committee, and Judy Grammer served on the Credentials Committee.
United States Senators Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson joined Governor Sonny Perdue, Lt. Governor Casey Cagle, Speaker Glenn Richardson, Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine, Secretary of State Karen Handel, and Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox during the convention activities. Our own Congressman Nathan Deal gave a rousing speech that brought the crowd to its feet on Friday night at the Victory banquet.
Chairman Everhart selected Bettye Chambers, 9th District Communications Director, as the state Volunteer of the Year. She was awarded the GA GOP A.A. Richardson Volunteer of the Year Award. Congratulations to Bettye for her well-deserved surprise.
During the convention, 9th District Chair Kevin Harris and 9th District Huckabee Coordinator Jane Teasley were selected as alternates to the National Republican Convention in September. They will join Jeff Mullis, Jay Neal, Josh Turner, Bettye Chambers, Leon Ellis, and Dr. Charles White as Republicans from the 9th District going to Minneapolis to the National Republican Convention.
On Saturday morning, the 9th District Committee held a brief meeting to address several items until the next district meeting in August. With the resignation of Mike Evans, there will be another DOT election to fill his unexpired term. Former state Senator Steve Farrow and long-time GOP leader Phil Neff were in attendance and briefly addressed the crowd. Both candidates reside in Whitfield County.
During the meeting, two vacancies were filled due to resignations.
Dr. Mary Jones (Gilmer County) was elected to fill the unexpired term of Brad Scott, who resigned to run for state representative. In addition, Chuck Payne was elected to fill the unexpired state committee term of Bob Rodriguez, who resigned to run for Magistrate Judge in Whitfield County. We wish Brad and Bob success in their future endeavors. We congratulate Mary and Chuck and welcome them in their new roles.
Until the election, Dr. Jones was the Central Region Director of the 9th District Republican Party. With her election, a vacancy was created in that position. Following the election, Chairman Harris selected Mary Ellen Childree to become the new Central Region Director. Mary Ellen is a well-known Republican leader from Pickens County who will make an immediate impact on our leadership team.