Democratic Party of Georgia

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OPEN LETTER: More than 30 Georgia Women Leaders Urge Brian Kemp to Rescind Support for Judge Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court

ATLANTA — Today, more than 30 women leaders from across Georgia penned an open letter to Brian Kemp urging him to rescind his support for the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court. Last month, Kemp wrote a letter to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee expressing his support.

The letter to Kemp from the women leaders follows.

Mr. Kemp:

Last month, you submitted a letter to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee in support of Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court, and in that letter you said Kavanaugh had a “clear understanding of the proper role of a judge” and “all of the personal qualities that we must demand from our Supreme Court justices.”

Recent developments have shown that your praise of Judge Kavanaugh could not be further from the truth.

Not only would Judge Kavanaugh pose a direct threat to Georgia women’s ability to make their own health decisions, he would also follow your lead in allowing insurance companies to deny guaranteed coverage based on pre-existing conditions.

Most importantly, your unwavering support for Judge Kavanaugh’s character was misguided given the credible information brought forth by multiple women and the need for every woman to be heard.

Amid “what all is going on in Washington,” as you put it, your own failure to support Georgia women and your unwillingness to stop sexual assault in Georgia cannot be ignored.

Therefore, we, the undersigned, call on you to immediately retract your support of Judge Kavanaugh.

Kimberly Alexander, State Representative
Tonya Anderson, State Senator
Kenyette Tisha Barnes, Women’s Rights Activist
Debra Bazemore, State Representative
Sharon Beasley-Teague, State Representative
Simone Bell, Former State Representative
Gloria Butler, State Senator
Doreen Carter, State Representative
Perri Chandler, Community Organizer
Toney Chandler, Former Fulton County Public School Counselor
Anna Cherry, Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner & Certified Nurse Midwife
Edith Dee Cofrin, Board of Director, Human Rights Campaign Foundation
Gail Davenport, State Senator
Stephanie Davis, Former Executive Director, Georgia Women for a Change
Rebecca DeHart, Executive Director, Democratic Party of Georgia
Karla Drenner, State Representative
Gloria Frazier, State Representative
Shannon Gaggero, Community Organizer
Michele Henson, State Representative
Carolyn Hugley, House Minority Whip
Donzella James, State Senator
Bianca Keaton, Director of Women’s Outreach, Democratic Party of Georgia
Wanda Mosely, Member, Black Votes Matter
Bee Nguyen, State Representative
Mary Margaret Oliver, State Representative
Nan Orrock, State Senator
Sandra Scott, State Representative
Renitta Shannon, State Representative
Erica Thomas, State Representative
Nachelle Thomas, Gwinnett Democratic Women 1st Vice President
Cathy Willis Spraetz, Former President and Chief Executive Officer, Partnership Against Domestic Violence
Vanessa Toro, Women’s Rights Activist
Keisha Waites, State Representative
Adrienne White, Red Clay Democrats Chair
Nikema Williams, State Senator and 1st Vice Chair, Democratic Party of Georgia
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In Case You “Don’t Recall” — Brian Kemp Refused to Answer Questions 91 Times While Under Oath

After Personally Guaranteeing Loans Beyond His Net Worth, Kemp Refused to Answer Questions or Take Responsibility

ATLANTA — Yesterday, in a front-page, above-the-fold bombshell report, the Atlanta-Journal Constitution revealed that Brian Kemp personally guaranteed $10 million in loans despite having a net worth of roughly half that amount. Worse, he refused to answer questions about his potentially criminal financial behavior 91 times while under oath.

If Brian Kemp can’t be honest about his own finances, how can we trust him to govern Georgia?

Excerpts of the article follow:

At 9 a.m. on July 19, Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp sat in his lawyer’s office in Carrollton. In just five days, the state’s Republicans would choose either Kemp or Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle as their candidate for governor. The race was widely viewed as a toss-up. But Kemp would be stuck in Carrollton for the next two hours and 27 minutes, trying to explain, under oath, why he shouldn’t have to repay a $500,000 loan.

By the time his deposition concluded, Kemp had answered “I don’t recall,” “I don’t remember,” “I don’t know,” or some variation at least 91 times.

“To the best of my knowledge,” Kemp replied to one question, “I don’t recall that.”

The deposition, not previously reported, underscored the political and financial perils Kemp faces from a lawsuit over a loan he personally guaranteed for an agricultural business in which he invested.

…

The monetary consequences could be even more dire for Kemp, records obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution show. Kemp has promised to cover about $10 million in other loans for the now-struggling agricultural business — meaning that if the company defaults, he could be forced to make good on debts that far exceed his net worth of $5.2 million.

Three of those loans, totaling almost $700,000, come due in December. None is backed by collateral…

Read the full article here: https://www.myajc.com/news/state–regional-govt–politics/for-brian-kemp-suit-over-bad-loan-reveals-political-financial-perils/FGeAr04V2A0tphsBVMSObI/

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Flashback: That Time Brian Kemp Voted to Take Inhalers Away from Kids and End Guaranteed Coverage for Other Pre-Existing Conditions

Kemp cannot hide his ugly track record of opposing vital health care for Georgians

ATLANTA – Brian Kemp has a long record of desperately trying to deny healthcare to the people of Georgia, but in 2005, he sank to an appalling low: voting to strip guaranteed coverage from people – especially women and children—with pre-existing conditions. As a state senator, Kemp voted for healthcare bill SB 174 that would have potentially left children suffering from asthma without access to inhalers, women without access to mastectomies and contraception, and Georgians of all stripes without access to certain anti-cancer drug therapy or substance abuse treatment. The bill even went so far as to remove guaranteed coverage for children with autism. Now, as he campaigns for governor, he consistently dodges questions about whether he will support healthcare coverage for Georgians with pre-existing conditions.

In a sign of just how radical Kemp is when it comes to healthcare, here is what other Republicans said about the bill that he voted for:

  • Republican State Senator Seth Harp, described it as “a stinking dead horse.” [AJC, 3/12/2005]
  • Former nurse and fellow Republican State Senator Renee Unterman said, “It’s a shame for Republican men to be in here doing this. [AJC, 3/12/2005]

“Brian Kemp has done everything he can to limit healthcare access to the people of Georgia,” said Democratic Party of Georgia spokesman Seth Bringman. “On the campaign trail, Kemp has refused to commit to protecting Georgians with pre-existing health conditions. This vote is proof that he never will.”

Kemp continues to oppose expanding Medicaid in the state, which would provide coverage to nearly 500,000 Georgians, and according to a new study by the Urban Institute could reduce the number of children who are uninsured. While thirty-two states across the U.S. have expanded Medicaid as part of the Affordable Care Act, Georgia is not one of them, and as a result, Georgia ranks near the bottom-tier of states by many healthcare measures.

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Brian Kemp Continues to Break with His Own Party, Throws Governor Nathan Deal Under the Bus

This past week, Brian Kemp slammed Governor Nathan Deal, a member of his own party, for his record on criminal justice reform. Deal signed Senate Bill 407 into law earlier this year, which included “cash bail” reform, allowing judges to avoid requiring poor nonviolent criminals to pay cash bail.

Deal said that the legislation would “make Georgia a safer place to call home for all of its citizens by recognizing that mercy and accountability are not mutually exclusive.”

Kemp, who remains at the far right of the Republican Party, disagreed with this common-sense legislation, saying in a press release that it would “flood the streets with criminals”.

This is not the first time that Brian Kemp and Nathan Deal have failed to see eye-to-eye, with Deal throwing his support behind Kemp’s opponent instead of Kemp during the Republican runoff. Deal worried about the direction Kemp would take Georgia, saying, “My concern is, let’s not undo, or transform in a negative fashion, the good reforms that we’ve put in place.”

When confronted with his long history of failing to do his job as Secretary of State, thereby putting women across the state of Georgia at risk, Kemp has repeatedly tried to blame none other than Governor Deal. As Secretary of State, Kemp was responsible for overseeing professional licenses, including those of massage therapists, but instead of regulating them, his office ignored 96% of sexual assault complaints over three years and allowed known abusers to keep their licenses.

“The contrast between Brian Kemp and Governor Nathan Deal could not be more stark,” said Democratic Party of Georgia spokesman Seth Bringman. “As Kemp pushes his fringe agenda and tacks to the far right, he gets further every day from representing the views of the people of Georgia, and further from the policies of mainstream republicans like Nathan Deal.”

Governor Nathan Deal and Brian Kemp may be from the same party, but they are worlds apart.

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NEW TV AD: Kemp Put Himself and His Donors Above Georgians

Kemp Neglected to Take Action on Behalf of Georgia Women Who Reported Sexual Abuse to His Office

ATLANTA — Today, the Democratic Party of Georgia released a new television ad informing Georgians about additional details about Brian Kemp’s role in the Georgia massage scandal. Specifically, the ad points out that as Secretary of State, Brian Kemp’s office decided to not take action on 25 of 26 massage parlor abuse claims reported to his office over three years. An investigation further revealed that one of the former spa franchise owners (who owned the massage parlor where abuse occurred after which Kemp failed to take action) is a major contributor to Kemp’s campaign for governor.

Brian Kemp’s decision to put himself and his donors before Georgians may have been good for him, but it was terrible for Georgia.

AD SCRIPT:

More claims of sexual abuse under Brian Kemp’s watch… She told him to stop. Repeatedly… But Brian Kemp’s office ignored them again. An investigation revealed one of the massage spa’s owners is a major donor to Brian Kemp’s campaign for governor. 96% of sexual assault claims ignored by Kemp’s office. And those are just the ones we know about. Raking in donations. Neglecting victims. Good for Brian Kemp. Dangerous for Georgia.

View the ad here: https://youtu.be/5BXpgFxVsyU

BACKGROUND:

Script

Source
VO:

More claims of sexual abuse under Brian Kemp’s watch…

GFX

Massage spa sexual assaults under Brian Kemp

AJC 5.4.18

 “When massage therapists cross the line, state board rarely acts,” Johnny Edwards and Lois Norder, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 05/04/2018

Twenty-five of the 26 sexual misconduct complaints lodged with the state over the past three years resulted in zero public disciplinary action — no license revocations, no license suspensions, no therapists placed on probation, no reprimands, an investigation by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution found.”

…

The board falls under the umbrella of the Secretary of State’s Office…
WOMAN:

She told him to stop.

Repeatedly.

GFX

She told him to stop

Repeatedly

AJC 5.4.18

 “When massage therapists cross the line, state board rarely acts,” Johnny Edwards and Lois Norder, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 05/04/2018

“She ordered him repeatedly to stop,” but he ignored her, she reported.
VO:

But Brian Kemp’s office …

…ignored them again.

GFX

Brian Kemp

Office ignored them again

AJC 5.4.18

 “When massage therapists cross the line, state board rarely acts,” Johnny Edwards and Lois Norder, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 05/04/2018

But the state licensing agency charged with protecting the public, the Georgia Board of Massage Therapy, did nothing after she complained. He’s now working at another spa.

…

Such outcomes are typical when it comes to massage therapy and sexual misconduct allegations in Georgia. Twenty-five of the 26 sexual misconduct complaints lodged with the state over the past three years resulted in zero public disciplinary action — no license revocations, no license suspensions, no therapists placed on probation, no reprimands, an investigation by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution found.

…

The board falls under the umbrella of the Secretary of State’s Office…
VO:

An investigation revealed one of the massage
spa’s owners is a major donor to Brian Kemp’s campaign for governor.

Graphics:

Brian Kemp

Former spa owner a major donor AJC, 7.9.18

 “Kemp critics demand probes of campaign cash from massage clinic owner,” Greg Bluestein and Johnny Edwards, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 07/09/2018

After an Atlanta Journal-Constitution investigation revealed the owner of those clinics is a donor to Kemp’s campaign for governor, Cagle backers pounced. Chiropractor Patrick Greco gave $1,000 to Kemp, and in April he and his partner hosted a fundraising gala at their lavish estate in Madison, in a renovated antebellum home called the Honeymoon 1851 Mansion.
VO:

96% of sexual assault claims ignored by Kemp’s office.

And those are just the ones we know about.

GFX

Brian Kemp

96% of abuse cases ignored

From 2015-2018

AJC 5.4.18

 “When massage therapists cross the line, state board rarely acts,” Johnny Edwards and Lois Norder, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 05/04/2018

Twenty-five of the 26 sexual misconduct complaints lodged with the state over the past three years resulted in zero public disciplinary action — no license revocations, no license suspensions, no therapists placed on probation, no reprimands, an investigation by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution found.

…

The board falls under the umbrella of the Secretary of State’s Office…
VO:

Raking in donations.

Neglecting victims. Good for Brian Kemp. Dangerous for Georgia

GFX

Learn More:

Georgiamassagescandal.com

 “Kemp critics demand probes of campaign cash from massage clinic owner,” Greg Bluestein and Johnny Edwards, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 07/09/2018

Chiropractor Patrick Greco gave $1,000 to Kemp, and in April he and his partner hosted a fundraising gala at their lavish estate in Madison, in a renovated antebellum home called the Honeymoon 1851 Mansion.

“When massage therapists cross the line, state board rarely acts,” Johnny Edwards and Lois Norder, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 05/04/2018

Twenty-five of the 26 sexual misconduct complaints lodged with the state over the past three years resulted in zero public disciplinary action — no license revocations, no license suspensions, no therapists placed on probation, no reprimands, an investigation by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution found.

…

The board falls under the umbrella of the Secretary of State’s Office…

# # #

After Putting Women At Risk, Brian Kemp Blames… Governor Nathan Deal?!?

ATLANTA — Throughout his deceptive and misleading campaign for Governor, Brian Kemp has continued to run away from his abysmal record of putting Georgians at risk, even throwing Governor Nathan Deal under the bus. As Secretary of State, Kemp’s job was to oversee professional licenses, including those of massage therapists. But instead of putting our safety first, his office ignored 96% of sexual assault complaints over three years and allowed known abusers to keep their licenses, putting women across Georgia in harm’s way.

But when called out for his failures, Kemp scrambled to pass the blame to a member of his own party, pointing the finger at Governor Nathan Deal instead.

“Brian Kemp is kidding himself if he thinks he can escape responsibility from putting women at risk when his office renewed the massage license of an abuser who pleaded guilty after assaulting a woman during a massage,” said Seth Bringman, spokesman for the Georgia Democratic Party.  

But while Kemp refuses to accept responsibility, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) makes clear that Kemp “holds sway” over dozens of licensing boards’ ability to conduct investigations, and notes that the massage board falls “under the umbrella” of the Secretary of State’s Office.

Brian Kemp has made it clear that he doesn’t take his responsibilities in office seriously.

# # #

RELEASE: Not One, Not Two, But Three More Ways Brian Kemp is Not Doing His Job… And That’s Just the Last 72 Hours…

ATLANTA – In just the last few days, a trio of negative stories demonstrated yet again that Brian Kemp has failed to do his job as Secretary of State.

First, the AJC reported that Brian Kemp has failed to resolve a decade-long border dispute, angering many residents in Monroe County, where local taxpayers have had to foot the bill in an attempt to resolve the dispute amid Kemp’s inaction.

The AJC then reported that scores of polling locations across the state have closed under Kemp’s watch.

The number is 214, for anyone who is counting. (Brian Kemp isn’t. In fact, his office was unaware of the extent of the closures, according to the AJC.)

BuzzFeed reported yet another disturbing example of Brian Kemp not doing his job, adding to the AJC’s report last week. Shamefully, Kemp’s office has restricted access to critical voting information to Georgians living outside the United States, including members of the military. Georgians serving our country overseas, for instance, are currently unable to check the status of their voter registration.

Brian Kemp needs to resign.

In the meantime, voters across Georgia, Georgians serving in our military, Georgia’s military families and civilian Georgians living abroad can contact the Democratic Party of Georgia’s voter protection hotline at 1- 888-730-5816

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RELEASE: Georgia Business Leaders Call Out Brian Kemp for Supporting RFRA

Kemp Would Sign Discriminatory, Job-Killing Legislation if Elected Governor

ATLANTA – Today, Georgia business and political leaders convened a press conference call to condemn Brian Kemp’s support for RFRA. This legislation, which Kemp would sign into law if he were elected governor, would hurt Georgia’s economy and kill Georgia jobs.

Colton Griffin, CEO of Flourish Software, talked about the LGBTQ Georgians he has met as Democratic Party of Georgia LGBTQ Caucus Chair. These Georgians,” said Griffin “made a choice to stay in our great state because they feel welcomed and at home here. But if Brian Kemp were to become governor, he would sign RFRA into law, and lifelong LGBTQ Georgians would no longer feel welcome.” He also noted that many Georgians “grew up in another part of the county but decided to make Georgia their home. They came to Georgia because we are a welcoming state of opportunity, and because we have a lot of good places for LGBTQ people to work. But if Brian Kemp were to become governor, he would sign RFRA into law, and Georgia would no longer be a welcoming place to LGBTQ Americans – many of them the best and brightest in their respective fields – and who would want to live here.”

Other states like Indiana and North Carolina, which have enacted discriminatory legislation, have seen disastrous economic consequences. Georgia Representative Miriam Paris, a member of the Economic Development & Tourism Committee, spoke about her work with job creators across Georgia and the impact RFRA might have. “The fact of the matter is: RFRA could be dead in its tracks tomorrow if Brian Kemp would simply pledge to veto it in any form. Our job creators could breathe a sigh of relief. But this is not in Mr. Kemp’s lexicon. He will not do what’s right for Georgia.”

“Brian Kemp has decided to threaten Georgia’s economy and appeal to a very small group of people who oppose equality for LGBTQ Georgians,” added Paris. “Under Stacey Abrams’ administration, RFRA will never see the light of day, Georgia companies will attract the best and the brightest, and Georgia will thrive.”

“For my catering business to thrive, I need all of Georgia’s economy to thrive.” said Kushina Catering owner Yohana Solomon. “If the film industry takes its business elsewhere, my business suffers. If conventions and visitors go to other states instead of Georgia, my business suffers. If jobs and people leave our state, my business suffers. We are one Georgia family. If Brian Kemp becomes governor and signs RFRA into law, we all lose.”

According to the Atlanta Metro Chamber of Commerce, Georgia stands to lose more than $1 billion in revenue if RFRA is enacted.

Said Solomon, “I don’t want to lay off my employees. I want to create jobs and hire even more Georgians, and I want my current employees to know that they have a workplace and a state that supports them, even if Brian Kemp does not. As a business owner, the issue of RFRA is important to me and a big reason why I am supporting Stacey Abrams for Governor.”

Andrew Feiler, President of Metro Developers, spoke about his experience as an employer and a developper of office and living space for Georgians. “I can tell you first-hand that RFRA is terrible for business. You don’t have to take just my word for it; More than 400 major companies headquartered here in Georgia who have come out against this awful legislation.”

More than 400 companies headquartered in Georgia oppose RFRA because it would be bad for the state’s economy and send the wrong message about Georgia.

Feiler also took issue with Brian Kemp’s latest comments on RFRA. “Let’s be clear: Georgia’s business community opposes any kind of RFRA in Georgia, including the version that Kemp says he wants to sign. It doesn’t matter what Brian Kemp says. It matters what Georgia employers believe. It matters what the film industry believes. It matters that these 400+ Georgia businesses oppose RFRA in any form.”

“We cannot have Brian Kemp as our next governor. We need to elect Leader Abrams,” he said.

# # #

FLASHBACK: Brian Kemp Twice Failed to Do His Job and Put the Voting Rights of Military Service Members at Risk

ATLANTA — Brian Kemp claims to support Georgia’s veterans and military service members, but while serving as Secretary of State he was twice called out by a federal court for failing to protect the voting rights of military service members abroad under the federal Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA).

Specifically, Kemp failed his duty as Secretary of State to schedule Georgia elections so that military service members overseas would have enough time to vote absentee in the event of a runoff election.

BACKGROUND:

June 2012: The federal government warned that Georgia was on track to violate the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA), which ensured that U.S soldiers serving overseas would have enough time to vote by absentee in federal elections. The government called on Brian Kemp to do his job and comply with the law.

April 2013: Kemp not only failed to fix the election system, he previously said making changes would “place unnecessary stresses on the elections administration process.”

July 2013: The court ruled in favor of the U.S. Government and said the proposal offered by Georgia did not fully comply with federal law. The court specifically noted that “the Secretary of State… has not presented a proposal that satisfies UOCAVA advance ballot transmittal requirements.” (Order terminating the civil action, U.S. v. The State of Georgia and Brian P. Kemp, Secretary of State, 7/11/13)

July 2013: Officials for Georgia, including Brian Kemp, filed a Motion stating their request to “leave the status quo in place…” until after a final resolution on the case which would occur after the election. (Defendants’ Motion to Stay Permanent Injunction Pending Appeal, U.S. v. The State of Georgia and Brian P. Kemp, Secretary of State, 7/31/13).

The Motion was denied, with the court noting Georgia had not “met their heavy burden” and the court declined to “sanction another election cycle that does not comply with UOCAVA.”(Order Denying the Defendants’ Motion to Stay Permanent Injunction Pending Appeal, U.S. v. The State of Georgia and Brian P. Kemp, Secretary of State, 10/16/13)

February 2015: The case was closed after Georgia finally made the necessary changes to satisfy the requirements of the UOCAVA.

# # #

Brian Kemp Uses Tourism Forum to Tout Legislation That’s Bad for Georgia’s Economy

ATLANTA – Earlier this evening, Brian Kemp used an appearance before Georgia Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus as an opportunity to reiterate his support for discriminatory legislation that would hurt Georgia’s economy.

“For Brian Kemp to go before the tourism bureau and talk about his support for policies that are bad for tourism is quite astounding,” said Democratic Party of Georgia LGBTQ Caucus Chair Colton Griffin. “Make no mistake: the legislation Brian Kemp supports will discriminate against the LGBTQ community and create an economic disaster for all of Georgia. We’ve seen this movie before in Indiana, in North Carolina, and in other states. Georgia will not thrive unless we attract the best and the brightest to our state. In order for Georgia to thrive, we cannot have Brian Kemp as governor.”

More than 400 Georgia companies, including members of Georgia’s vibrant film industry, oppose the kind of discriminatory legislation Kemp supports.

# # #

Oops! Brian Kemp Touts New Headquarters That Likely Would Not Exist if He Were Governor

Atlanta-Based Arby’s Restaurant Group Opposed Discriminatory Legislation Supported by Kemp

ATLANTA – Today on Twitter, Brian Kemp celebrated the announcement of a new Sandy Springs headquarters for Inspire Brands, the new restaurant company that grew out of Atlanta-based Arby’s Restaurant Group, Inc. and includes Buffalo Wild Wings and R Taco.


There’s just one problem with Kemp’s “Jobs, Jobs, Jobs” tweet: Arby’s was among the Georgia companies at the forefront of the campaign against RFRA, legislation vetoed by Governor Nathan Deal, which would have enacted a license to discriminate against Georgia’s LGBTQ community.

Brian Kemp strongly supports RFRA, which has been a disaster for other states. In fact, states like Indiana and North Carolina that have enacted discriminatory legislation have seen major companies declining to create jobs within those states as a direct result of the new discriminatory laws.

Suffice it to say: If Kemp were governor, he would have signed RFRA into law, and Inspire Brands would probably have taken its headquarters elsewhere.

# # #

With Rural Hospitals in Danger of Closing, Kemp, Duncan Continue to Rail against Medicaid Expansion

ATLANTA – Today, the Democratic Party of Georgia responded to continued Republican attacks on Medicaid expansion. The latest attack on Medicaid expansion – a move that would insure almost 500,000 Georgians – was issued in a press release from Republican Lt. Governor candidate Geoff Duncan.

“We are shocked that Brian Kemp and his allies continue to oppose Medicaid expansion, which would provide coverage to almost 500,000 Georgians and save rural hospitals from closure,” said Democratic Party of Georgia Chair DuBose Porter. “Medicaid expansion simply pays health providers for the work they do, and these reimbursements will save rural hospitals. It’s not just good for the health of Georgians; it would create jobs and boost Georgia’s economy. Brian Kemp would rather push a reckless economic and health care agenda. Stacey Abrams, Sarah Riggs Amico, and Democrats across Georgia will not back down until Medicaid is expanded in our state.”

The fact that Brian Kemp’s allies are using the issue of Medicaid expansion to attack Stacey Abrams and Sarah Riggs Amico is particularly shocking since 3 in 4 Georgians support the expansion of Medicaid. Keeping Georgians’ tax dollars in Georgia would also create 56,000 Georgia jobs.

# # #

Kemp’s Laughable Claim That He’s “Independent” From His Poll-Closing Henchman Mike Malone

Known Kemp Associate and Donor Mike Malone Said He Was Sent by Kemp and Said Kemp “Highly Recommended” Polling Closures

Randolph County Elections Director: “Mr. Malone came highly recommended from the Secretary of State’s office.”

ATLANTA – Today, the Democratic Party of Georgia called out Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp for his laughable claim that he is “independent” from his associate and donor, Mike Malone.

In a statement from his Secretary of State’s office, Kemp defensively referred to Malone as “an independent consultant” who is “not backed by the Secretary of State’s office.” This statement raises the following questions:

1. How does Kemp define “independent”?

2. Does Kemp really believe he is independent from his associate and donor? (AJC, 8.20.2018)

3. How does Kemp explain his associate and donor Mike Malone’s presentation in Randolph County, where Malone said polling consolidation came “highly recommended” by Kemp himself? (AJC, 8.20.2018)

4. How does Kemp explain his associate and donor Mike Malone’s contention that he was sent around the state by Kemp for the purpose of recommending polling location closures? (Slate, 8.17.2018)

5. How does Kemp explain these words from Randolph County’s elections director: “Mr. Malone came highly recommended from the Secretary of State’s office”? (AJC, 8.20.2018)

And, most importantly,

6. Given Kemp’s history of voter suppression and his connection to the polling closure proposal in Randolph County, will he resign as Secretary of State?

# # #

RELEASE: Chair Porter: Kemp Still the Guy Who Cranked Chainsaw, Blew Up Stuff, and Recklessly Pointed a Gun at Teenager

ATLANTA — Today, Georgia Democratic Party Chair DuBose Porter released the following statement on Brian Kemp’s latest TV ad:

“Brian Kemp’s latest advertisement represents his own admission of just how reckless his real agenda is. We’re glad to see him follow the lead of Stacey Abrams, Sara Riggs Amico, and Democrats across Georgia by actually talking about jobs, but he will forever be known as the guy who cranked up a chainsaw, blew up stuff, and recklessly pointed a gun at a teenager.”

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution referred to the ad as “sunnier” and noted Kemp was “smiling.”

# # #

Randolph County Chair Bobby Jenkins Responds to Board Decision to Keep All Polling Locations Open

RANDOLPH COUNTY, GA – Today, Randolph County Democratic Party Chair Bobby Jenkins issued the following statement:

“We are thrilled that all nine polling locations will remain open to Randolph County voters, and we express our heartfelt gratitude to citizens and advocate groups across Georgia who stood up and protected our cherished right to vote. While today’s decision is something to celebrate, we shouldn’t forget how we got here. We have a Secretary of State, Brian Kemp, who is engaged in voter suppression. Worse, he is engaged in voter suppression in an election in which he is a candidate. Now that we have fought to protect the right to vote, we must encourage people to use that power. We must encourage our friends and neighbors to vote for Stacey Abrams, Sarah Riggs Amico, Joyce Barlow, who is running for House District 151 that includes Randolph County, and other Democrats across Georgia. We will continue to reject voter suppression tactics, and we will stop voter suppressors like Brian Kemp from running our state.”

BACKGROUND:

Mike Malone, an associate and donor of Brian Kemp, consulted with the Randolph County Board of Elections following a recommendation by Kemp’s office earlier this year.  

Kemp, according to Malone, directed his associate to recommend polling closures across Georgia. Kemp claimed to oppose the Randolph County polling location closures; however, audio evidence highly suggests that Kemp himself directed Malone to recommend these closures. 

Malone recommended closing seven of the nine Randolph County polling locations due to non-compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Disability and voting rights advocates decried the proposal, and Malone was fired by the county after his blatant attempts to suppress votes. Randolph County’s population is majority African American.

# # #

RELEASE: House Democratic Leader Bob Trammell, State Senate District 29 Candidate Valerie Haskins, and rural Georgian Nicole Baxby Assail Brian Kemp’s Policies for Rural Georgia

Brian Kemp Continues to Reject Medicaid Expansion, Job Training Investment, and Expanding Access to Capital Despite Rampant Rural Doctor Shortages, Job Loss, and Extreme Poverty

Brian Kemp Doesn’t Understand the Needs of Rural Georgians

ATLANTA — Today in Columbus, House Democratic Leader Bob Trammell, State Senate District 29 candidate Valerie Haskins, Vice Chair of the Harris County Democrats Nicole Baxby, and rural Georgians convened to discuss the current economic regression of rural Georgia under Republican leadership, while assailing Republican Gubernatorial Nominee Brian Kemp’s plans for rural Georgia.

Throughout this election cycle, Georgia Republicans have boasted about this decade’s economic gains here in Georgia. However, last week, the Atlanta Journal Constitution highlighted the adverse living conditions and lack of healthcare access in Webster County, along with the surrounding rural Georgia areas. The devastating effects of harmful Republican policies are clear: due to a failure to expand Medicaid, invest in job training, and remove barriers that prevent access to capital, under Republican leadership, rural Georgia has begun to decay. Brian Kemp’s proposals would only make this worse. Under Brian Kemp, rural Georgia would continue to be left behind.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in Georgia, sixty-four counties have no pediatrician, seventy-nine have no obstetrician/gynecologist, and nine have no doctor. Twenty-one percent of Webster County residents live in poverty and nine percent of households do not have cars. This is not only unique to Webster County. Georgia’s House District 151 -compromised of Calhoun, Clay, Early, Quitman, Randolph, Stewart, Terrell, Dougherty, and Webster counties- is one of Georgia’s poorest areas. There has been little to no investment in these areas, and Republicans’ refusal to expand Medicaid has only exacerbated this income gap.

Rural Georgians have a choice to make this fall. They can continue to tread in the same direction or they can chart a new path and elect candidates who will give every Georgian the freedom and opportunity to thrive. That is why Stacey Abrams, Sarah Riggs Amico, and Democrats across Georgia are the only choice for rural Georgians this November.

“Brian Kemp’s plans for rural Georgia come up short and lacks specifics,” said Georgia Democratic Leader Bob Trammell. “Georgia has played politics with healthcare, and as a result, hospitals have closed around the state. If there’s one thing that we know, when you lose your hospital, it’s very difficult to attract new jobs because healthcare is so important.”

“Rural Georgians have lived under a Republican administration for many years, over a decade. They did not expand Medicaid, and that is denying over half a million people affordable health insurance,” said Georgia State Senate District 29 candidate Valerie Haskins. “I live in rural Georgia and it takes a long time just to get to the hospital myself. Some people have to drive 30 minutes, 60 minutes, and sometimes that can be a life or death situation. And many people where we live don’t have proper transportation.”

“The Republicans have had ten years of being in power where they promised over and over again that they would take care of our rural communities and find innovative ways and solutions to do that. They’ve broken their promise every single year,” said rural Georgian Nicole Baxby. “When Stacey Abrams promises to make Medicaid expansion a day-one priority, she is going to really help serve our rural communities.”

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Brian Kemp Associate FIRED After Trying to Suppress Votes in Randolph County

Chair Porter: Kemp should resign

ATLANTA — Today, the Democratic Party of Georgia responded to the firing of Mike Malone, an associate and donor of Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp, who recommended the closing of seven of nine precincts in Randolph County, a county with a majority African-American population. Malone, who claims Brian Kemp recommended the closures, was today fired in a letter from the county’s attorney.

“Randolph County officials were correct to tell Brian Kemp’s henchman to take a hike, but he never should have recommended the poll closures in the first place,” said Democratic Party of Georgia Chair DuBose Porter. “Georgians deserve a free and fair election, not 11th hour efforts to close down polling locations and suppress votes.”

“Now that his donor and associate has been fired, it’s a good time for Brian Kemp to resign as Secretary of State,” added Porter, noting that Kemp continues to oversee the gubernatorial election in which he is a candidate.

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Americans with Disabilities Act Author: Kemp Has Failed to Comply with ADA

Former Congressman Tony Coelho, Author of ADA, Says Kemp Associate Sought to Violate Federal Civil Rights Law

ATLANTA – Today, Tony Coelho, the principal author of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), condemned the voter suppression tactics of Republican candidate for governor Brian Kemp. Coelho said that Kemp, who refuses to step down from overseeing the election in which he is a candidate, has failed to comply with the ADA and protect the rights of Georgians with disabilities.

“Mr. Kemp has failed his responsibility to ensure that all polling locations in the State of Georgia are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act,” said Coelho. “Worse, his associate callously tried to use the ADA as a justification for closing polling locations entirely, which is a violation of the law I and others worked so hard to pass.”

“Voters, especially voters with disabilities, should not be forced to travel 30 miles to vote simply because Mr. Kemp has failed to do his job,” Coelho added.

Mike Malone, a longtime Kemp associate and donor, consulted with the Randolph County Board of Elections following a recommendation by Kemp’s office earlier this year. Malone, who said he was directed by Kemp to “recommend polling closures” across Georgia pushed for closing seven of the nine Randolph County polling locations due to non-compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Kemp claimed to oppose the Randolph County polling closures. However, new audio evidence highly suggests that Kemp himself directed Malone to recommend these closures.

“That Mr. Kemp or any of his associates would advocate closing polling locations in the name of the ADA is shameful and nonsensical. Closing non-ADA accessible polling locations does not foster compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act; rather, it is a violation of that act.”

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 is a landmark law passed with strong bipartisan support and signed into law by then-President George H.W. Bush. Title II of the ADA requires state and local governments to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to vote. However, the law does not permit poll closures as a remedy for non-compliance.

Coelho noted that the majority of voters in Randolph County are African-American.

“Pitting African-American voters against voters with disabilities – many who are also African American – is a shameful new low in voter suppression from Brian Kemp. Voters with disabilities will not be a foil for Mr. Kemp’s voter suppression tactics. He cannot replace one form of discrimination with another.”

Anthony “Tony” Coelho is a former five-term member of Congress from California who also served as House Majority Whip.

Coelho is joining a chorus of advocates criticizing the excuse for poll closure recommendations. The Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia, along with Rev-Up Georgia, released a letter on Wednesday August 22 condemning the proposal as well, saying “alleging non-compliance with the ADA in the 11th hour to justify the removal of other individuals’ rights flies in the face of the intention behind the ADA of promoting access for all.”

The next meeting of the Randolph County Board of Elections is scheduled for Friday, August 24 at 8:00 am.

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