Georgia Republican Party Chairman Josh McKoon says Democrats left their Savannah convention embracing policies voters have rejected, setting up a fight over public safety, affordability and cultural issues before November.
In an Aug. 1 Atlanta Journal-Constitution opinion column, McKoon tied Democratic gubernatorial nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms to the unrest, violent crime and business disruptions during her tenure as Atlanta mayor. He cited the 2020 killing of 8-year-old Secoriea Turner and pandemic restrictions as examples of leadership he says Georgians should not restore.
McKoon contrasted that record with Republican control under Gov. Brian Kemp, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and the General Assembly. Kemp signed legislation in May lowering Georgia’s income tax rate from 5.19% to 4.99%, expanding deductions and providing property tax relief. Georgia was ranked the nation’s top state for business by Area Development magazine for a 12th consecutive year.
The GOP chairman criticized Democrats’ emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion and environmental policy. The party’s official convention page listed meetings for a DEI Committee and “Greening Georgia,” along with rural, veterans and other councils.
Democrats presented a different message. Convention coverage said candidates focused on living costs, Medicaid expansion, reproductive rights, gun control and voting access. Bottoms argued Republican policies have harmed working families and portrayed opponent Rick Jackson as aligned with President Donald Trump.
More than 1,000 Democrats attended the Savannah event as the party builds a statewide operation with 30 field offices and 60 full-time organizers. U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff did not attend because of what party officials described as a scheduling conflict.
McKoon’s column offers Republicans’ central argument: Georgia should build on tax cuts, economic development and conservative governance rather than return power to Democrats. November will test whether voters accept that contrast or the Democratic claim that rising costs demand change.
