Congressman Collins Op-ed on Our Path Ahead in Washington Post Today
Featured, News November 30, 2016
Congressman Collins is already making good on his promise to bring Northeast Georgia values and vision to national conversations about our country’s path forward.
Pulliam to Run for White County School Board
News July 29, 2016
CLEVELAND, Ga. –Brock Pulliam has qualified to run for the District 2 seat on the White County Board of Education.
Pulliam, 46, is a 1988 graduate of North Hall High School and a salesman working for Gainesville Flooring. He was appointed as the interim Board of Education member in May to replace Roger Fiztpatrick who resigned to run for U.S. Congress against incumbent Congressman Doug Collins.
Pulliam’s wife Shanna teaches visually impaired students in the White County School System. The couple has three children in the system, one a senior, a ninth grader and the youngest is in kindergarten.
Pulliam said, ” I have a vested interest in education with three children in the school system. In addition to my wife being a teacher, my several family members are involved in education. My brother and sister-in-law teach.”
The school board is currently working on the new budget and Pulliam says it will be adopted next Thursday.
But now he’s seen first hand how difficult the budgeting process can be. “It’s hard since the value of the mil has declined. The recent senior exemptions have had a negative impact on revenue but the numbers look pretty good right now. My number one goal will be to be fiscally responsible and make sure we manage the taxpayer dollars in the most efficient way possible.”
Bryson, Pulliam Qualify to Run for School Board
News, Politics July 29, 2016
CLEVELAND, Ga. — Qualifying for the November election to fill the vacant seat on the White County Board of Education ended at noon today with two candidates qualified.
Gwinnett County Fire Investigator Charlie Bryson will campaign against Brock Pulliam, who is currently serving an interim position on the board.
The special election is non-partisan and will be held to fill the vacancy created when Roger Fitzpatrick resigned to run for U.S. Congress last May against Congressman Doug Collins. The winner will serve the remainder of the unexpired term that ends in December 2018.
Qualifying for Board of Education Begins July 25
News July 18, 2016
WHITE COUNTY, Ga. — Qualifying for the Nov. 8th special election to fill a vacancy on the White County Board of Education will begin one week from today.
The vacancy was created when Roger Fitzpatrick withdrew to run against 7th District Congressman Doug Collins. The winner will serve the remainder of the unexpired term that will end December 31st 2018.
Probate Court Judge Garrison Baker said qualifying will begin on Monday July 25th at 9 a.m. and run until Friday July 29th at noon.
Candidates must live in District two and be a resident of the county for 12 months prior to the election. Qualifying will take place at the office of the Election Superintendent in the White County Courthouse.
There will also be a special referendum vote to address three alcohol sales questions, including the sale of distilled spirits by the drink, Sunday sales of distilled spirits and Sunday sales of beer and wine between the hours of 12:30 P.M. and 11:30 P.M.
White County Board of Commissioners voted in May for the questions to be placed before to voters in the county.
Collins: SCOTUS ruling a tragedy for women, states’ rights
Featured June 27, 2016
June 27, 2016
Washington, D.C. – Today, the Supreme Court struck down a state law regarding health and safety standards for Texas abortion clinics. In the case of Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt, the Court voted 5-3 to strike down HB-2, a Texas law requiring abortion clinics to have admitting privileges at hospitals within 30 miles, and that abortion clinics must comply with state standards for outpatient surgical centers. The Court stated the law placed an “undue burden” in the way of women seeking an abortion. Congressman Collins, a Baptist pastor who signed an amicus brief in support of Texas earlier this year, issued the following statement in response to the ruling:
“The Court’s decision endangers women and removes valuable safety precautions, and is an erosion of states’ rights. The elected representatives of the Texas legislature passed this law to ensure patient safety in their state, and the law was signed by the Governor. The Supreme Court decision inserts the court into patient safety decisions where they don’t belong.”
“I have voted to protect the sanctity of life throughout my time in both the Georgia state legislature and the House of Representatives. This ruling will allow abortion clinics to proliferate with little oversight. As we saw with the case of Dr. Kermit Gosnell, whose abortion clinic was a real life house of horrors, these largely unregulated clinics jeopardize the lives of mothers and babies alike through the use of unsafe medical procedures. I stand by my pro-life principles, and will continue to speak out on the negative consequences the abortion industry has on our society.”
Advanced Voting Slow in White Co. Where Turnout is Less Than 5 Percent
News, Politics May 13, 2016
CLEVELAND, Ga. — Advanced voter turnout is slow in White County but Chief Voter Registrar Lisa Manning says it is way ahead of where it was in 2012. But that’s only because there were no contested races in the 2012 General Primary. This year, there are three local races, including sheriff, county commission and school board.
As of 10 a.m. Friday, Chief Voter Registrar Lisa Manning said only 540 ballots had been cast or less than 5 percent of White County’s 13,415 active registered voters.
“The Sheriff’s race is the most heated race,” Manning said. “It’s the one that seems to be drawing the most interest.” Veteran Sheriff Neal Walden is being challenged by Aaron Autry
In the District 4 County Commission race, incumbent Craig Bryant will face Shawn Henderson. In the Board of Education race, incumbent Kendyl Brock Hunter is being challenged by Missy Jarrard.
There is also an election for Ninth District Congress where incumbent Doug Collins of Gainesville has angered many conservatives when he voted for President Barack Obama’s Omnibus bill and supported John Boehner for Speaker of the House. As a result, he has drawn four challengers in former 10th District Congressman Paul Broun, Lanier Tea Part Patriots founder Mike Scupin, White County educator Roger Fitzpatrick and retired Army and National Guard Brigadier General Bernie Fontaine.
The lone state race on the ballot is for State Senate where incumbent Steve Gooch,who many consider an “establishment Republican,” is being challenged for re-election in the 51st District by John Williamson, co-founder of the Gilmer County Tea Party.
Advanced voting takes place at the Mauney Building, 1241 Helen Highway between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Saturday voting will take place tomorrow.
Fitzpatrick Impressive in Town Hall Meeting
News, Politics May 10, 2016
GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Roger Fitzpatrick, an ex-Marine and former White County administrator, appears to have established himself as the No. 1 contender for 9th District Congressman Doug Collins’ job with a strong performance during the AccessWDUN/Gainesville Times town hall meeting at Brenau Downtown Center last night.
Fitzpatrick demonstrated confidence, knowledge of the issues and likeability in responding to questions from a near-capacity crowd that showed its appreciation with loud and frequent applause for the Cleveland, Georgia native.
In addition to Fitzpatrick and Collins, the 90-minute event featured Lanier Tea Party Patriots founder Mike Scupin, retired Army and National Guard Brigadier General Bernie Fontaine and former 10th District Congressman Paul Broun. The challengers took turns answering questions from attendees as well as tweets from WDUN Radio’s listening audience.
Fitzpatrick, who served nine years in the Marine Corps Reserves and 32 years as a White County teacher and administrator, said veterans would be better served by getting rid of the Veterans Administration and allowing private industry to fill that role. He also called for an end to the Department of Education, saying, “The federal government has no business in education.”
He borrowed a line from President Bill Clinton when asked what is the most important issue facing the nation. “It’s the economy stupid,” he said. But, he added that getting government out of the way so businesses can thrive was a close second.
An issue that has plagued Collins throughout the campaign and has him in deep trouble with voters in the ultra conservative 9th District has been his support for President Barack Obama’s Omnibus bill. The bill provides funding for Planned Parenthood, the Muslim refugee program, sanctuary cities and a foreign worker program that costs Americans jobs at a time of increasing concerns about terrorist threats against the United States.
When Collins tried to explain his vote, he was shouted down by angry voters and his response was drowned out until Fitzpatrick’s Marine training kicked in and he stepped forward to admonish the audience, saying, “Show some respect, please.” The intervention earned Fitzpatrick the crowd’s admiration.
Collins then continued, saying, “The facts are if you could have gotten Planned Parenthood out of the Omnibus bill you would have done it but you couldn’t. The way you get it done is through the reconciliation act or a bill which I had voted for prior to that.” But that explanation failed to sway his opponents.
Fitzpatrick said, “Anything that would violate the moral conscience of a decent individual or the original intent (of the Constitution), you cannot vote for.” He also pointed out that Planned Parenthood is now paying for transgender operations.
Scupin called Collis’ explanation the “Doug Collins Dog and Pony Show” and said, “It doesn’t just happen with Planned Parenthood. It happens with nearly every vote he makes up there. He’s against the Department of Education because of how it effects his wife when she teaches and yet he votes to fund it. This has got to stop. Either you’re for it or against it.”
Broun said, “I would not have voted for the Omnibus bill. I never have.”
Voters also wanted to know if the candidates would support presumptive Republican nominee for President Donald Trump.
Fontaine said, “Of course I support Donald Trump.”
Scupin said, “Donald Trump is the presumptive nominee of the Republican Party and as such I definitely will support him. Donald Trump rose to the top of the Republican Party not because of Donald Trump but because of the Republican Party.Their failure to do the right thing when they had the opportunity is what gave him a path to this victory.”
Broun said, “The people have spoken. We need to have the people’s choice be the nominee of our party. I don’t want to see the establishment try to steal away the people’s choice.”
Collins seemed a bit more hesitant, saying, “If Trump is our nominee, I’ll support the nominee. But what about the values Donald Trump has. The question is where do you stand on conservative values? Will you be the standard bearer of our party’s values? The fact is that nobody in this room would be happy with Hillary Clinton in the White House. Nobody who would be happy with a socialist running the White House.
Fitzpatrick said, “I voted for Ted Cruz and would do so again but Donald Trump won the nomination and I will support the nominee. Whoever gets in there — and I sure do hope it’s Donald Trump — you’ve got to work with and if he stands up and does something I don’t like then he needs to be called out on it even if he is a Republican.”
Advanced Voting Underway in White County
News, Politics May 3, 2016
WHITE COUNTY, Ga. — Advanced voting for the May 24 General Primary started Monday in White County where voters must decide who will represent them in several federal, state and local offices.
Ninth District Congressman Doug Collins of Gainesville angered many conservatives when he voted for President Barack Obama’s Omnibus bill and supported John Boehner for Speaker of the House. As a result, he has drawn four challengers in former 10th District Congressman Paul Broun, Lanier Tea Part Patriots founder Mike Scupin, White County educator Roger Fitzpatrick and retired Army and National Guard Brigadier General Bernie Fontaine.
State Senator Steve Gooch,who many consider an “establishment Repubican,” is being challenged for re-election in the 51st District by John Williamson, co-founder of the Gilmer County Tea Party.
Incumbent District 1 County Commissioner Terry Goodger will serve another four years after his only challenger, Ron Hood withdrew from the race for medical reasons. In the District 4 race, incumbent Craig Bryant will face Shawn Henderson.
Veteran Sheriff Neal Walden is being challenged by Aaron Autry and incumbent Board of Education Chairwoman Missy Jarrard is up against Kendyl Brock-Hunter.
Advanced voting takes place at the Mauney Building, 1241 Helen Highway between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. There will also be one day of Saturday voting on May 14.
Union County Republican Party / Union-Towns TEA Party 51st State Senate District, 9th Congressional District, and U.S. Senate Forum
Featured, Featured Stories, Politics May 1, 2016
Union County Republican Party / Union -Towns TEA Party Forum 4/30/2016.
Scroll down to watch video of each forum.
Moderator Brian K. Pritchard
Republican U.S. Senate Candidates Dr. Mary Beth Bacallao and Mr. Derrick Grayson
51st District State Senate Republican Candidates John Williamson and Steve Gooch
Republican 9th District Congressional Candidates Roger Fitzpatrick, Paul Broun, Bernie Fontaine and Mike Scupin
Challengers Blast Congressman Collins In Live Debate Broadcast on FYN TV
News, Politics April 25, 2016
ELLIJAY, Ga. — In a fiery hour-long debate broadcast live on FYN TV and moderated by Fetch Your News owner Brian K. Pritchard Friday, four challengers — Paul Broun, Mike Scupin, Roger Fitzpatrick and Bernie Fontaine — took turns attacking Georgia’s 9th District Congressman Doug Collins on issues ranging from his support of President Obama’s Omnibus bill to what they see as his less than conservative voting record.
Fitzpatrick, a long time educator from White County, said Collins’ voting record is not representative of the 9th District, which he called, “the third most conservative district in the entire United States. If you look at the Conservative Review website, which grades everybody according to the original intent of the Constitution, Mr. Collins has a 59 percent voting record,” Fitzpatrick said.
By far the number one issue his opponents used to batter Collins was the Omnibus bill which most conservatives view with contempt because it provides funding for the Dreamer’s Act for children in the U.S. illegally, sanctuary cities, refugee programs, Middle East immigration programs that have been exploited by terrorists and Planned Parenthood.
Former 10th District U.S. Congressman Paul Broun said “The greatest moral issue we face as a nation is the killing of over one million babies every year and it must stop. The Omnibus bill funds Planned Parenthood while they go on butchering babies and selling baby parts.”
Broun added, “I have never voted for an omnibus bill and I never will.”
That gave Collins an opportunity to launch a conter attack. Collins claimed Broun voted for an omnibus bill in December 2007. “Either that’s an incompetence issue or you’re just lying,” Collins shot back.
Broun said his vote was not for the bill at all, but an amendment to the bill and that every Republican but one voted for the same amendment. “This is just more of the lies and distortion we get out of the Congressman,” Broun countered.
Lanier Tea Party Patriot Founder Mike Scupin said he would never have voted for the Omnibus bill and questioned how Collins could “swear an oath to the Constitution of the United States then vote for it when it had so many unconstitutional things in it.”
Fontaine, a retired Army and National Guard Brigadier General who ran against Collins four years ago, said, “Congress was dysfunctional then and its dysfunctional now. What we have is a systemic problem with two career politicians against three citizen candidates.”
Tuesday is Deadline to Register for May Primary
News, Politics April 24, 2016
WHITE COUNTY, Ga. — Much is at stake in state and local elections May 24 but you can’t vote if you’re not registered and the last day to register is Tuesday, April 26.
One of the most important races is in the 9th District where incumbent U.S. Congressman Doug Collins of Gainesville has come under fire from conservatives for his support of President Obama’s Omnibus bill. His challengers include former 10th District Congressman Paul Broun, Lanier Tea Part Patriots founder Mike Scupin, White County educator Roger Fitzpatrick and retired Army and National Guard Brigadier Genreal Bernie Fontaine.
State Senator Steve Gooch of Dahlonega is running for reelection in the 51st District and has drawn a challenger in John Williamson, co-founder of the Gilmer County Tea Party.
Locally, there are key races for Board of Commissioners in District 1 and District 4, Board of Education Chairman and Sheriff.
Terry Goodger will challenge incumbent Ron Hood in the District 1 race and Craig Bryant and Shawn Henderson will vie for the District 4 seat.
Aaron Autry is challenging long-time Sheriff Neal Walden and Kendyl Brock-Hunter will face incumbent Missy Jarrard in the race for Board of Education Chairman.
FYN TV Presents – Camera, Candidates, and Issues Debate featuring 9th District Congressional Candidates Paul Broun, Doug Collins, Roger Fitzpatrick, Bernie Fontaine and Mike Scupin.
Politics April 22, 2016
FYN TV “Camera-Candidates-and-Issues”
9th Congressional District Debate. The Omnibus Bill, refugee resettlement, the national debt, Speaker Paul Ryan, sanctuary cities, abortion, and yes even the dog and pony show.
Scroll down to watch video.
Moderator FetchYourNews.com CEO BKP Candidate Dr. Paul Broun
Candidates Mr. Mike Scupin and Congressman Doug Collins
Candidates Mr. Roger Fitzpatrick and General Bernie Fontaine
9th District Congressional Debate
News, Politics April 9, 2016
9th District Congressional Forum Set for Saturday
News, Politics April 8, 2016GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Independence Day won’t roll around for 3 more months but expect plenty of fireworks when the Hall County Republican Party hosts a forum for candidates for 9th District Congress at its headquarters on Queen City Parkway Saturday at 10 a.m.
In fact, the pyrotechnics have already started. Incumbent Congressman Doug Collins has three other challengers in retired White County educator Roger Fitzpatrick, Bernie Fontaine, a retired U.S. Army and National Guard Brigadier General, and Lanier Tea Party Patriots Founder Mike Scupin.
But so far, Collins and Broun have aimed most of his early firepower at each other.
A Collins campaign ad blasts Broun for “nearly bankrupting his congressional office budget with an excessive amount of taxpayer-funded mail” during a failed bid for the U.S. Senate.
Collins received extra ammunition this week when it was announced that Broun’s former Chief of Staff David Bowser was indicted for supposedly using taxpayer funds to cover the cost of a campaign consultant.
But as politicians often note, you can indict a ham sandwich. Broun, a physician who was first elected to represent the 10th Congressional District in 2007 and served until his unsuccessful campaign for the U.S. Senate in 2014, calls the indictment a “political witch hunt.”
Broun calls his campaign the Fed Up Express and blasts Collins for being an establishment Republican who supported John Boehner for Speaker of the House and voted to pass President Obama’s Omnibus bill which, he said, funds everything from Obamacare to amnesty for illegal aliens to the Syrian refugee resettlement.
LTPP Hosts Challengers to Congressman Doug Collins
News, Politics March 18, 2016
GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Bernard “Bernie” Fontaine, Mike Scupin, Roger Fitzpatrick and Dr. Paul Broun are the challengers to 9th District Congressman Doug Collins in the May 24 Republican primary. Thursday night they were featured speakers at the Lanier Tea Party Patriots (LTPP) meeting.
Fontaine is a Vietnam Veteran and retired Georgia National Guard Brigadier General who holds a bachelor’s degree in public administration and master’s degree in business from Brenau University. He sits on the Board of Directors for NASCAR and is a firefighter in Jasper and Union counties.
Fontaine says, “The federal government is a runaway freight train. The president is taking over and Congress is inert. Obviously things have to change.” Fontaine said his campaign will focus on improving the local and national economy, addressing the nation’s debt and regulatory overreach.
Scupin, the founder of the LTPP said, “My heart isn’t in going to Washington. My heart is in trying to save this nation.” He added that he isn’t likely to introduce a lot of bills. “We don’t need a lot of bills to change things. If I stand up and vote against leadership then leadership isn’t going to let any bill I introduce go to the floor. The only thing I can promise you is if a bill violates the Constitution and God’s law then you’d better believe I’m going to vote against it.”
Fitzpatrick, a former Marine, educator and member of the White County Board of Education, said, “I want to fight for you. I want to fight for me. I want to fight for my children and grandchildren and the prosperity of this nation. I want you to vote for me because I’m a person of integrity. I’m going to do what I tell you I’m going to do.”
Dr. Paul Broun is the former 10th District Congressman who recently moved to Habersham County. He was commissioned as a medical officer and, in 2012, was deployed to Afghanistan to serve wounded soldiers there.
Broun said, “I am absolutely fed up with what is going on in Washington.”I’m fed up with the leadership and the Republican Party. We have been betrayed by John Boehner and Paul Ryan and Doug Collins.” Broun said the greatest example of that betrayal was the passage of the Omnibus bill, which Collins voted for. “That bill fully funds Planned Parenthood. It fully funds Obamacare. It fully funds the president’s amnesty program, the Syrian refugee program and all of the bad policies Barack Obama has put into place.”
Michelle Hall, a candidate for Hall County Superior Court Judge, John Williamson, who is challenging Dist. 51 State Senator Steve Gooch, and Lucretia Hughes, a candidate for state representative in Dist. 116, also attended last night’s meeting.