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.
Debate, Time for Doug Collins and Paul Broun to square off Face to Face
Politics April 3, 2016Congressman Doug Collins would like to continue representing the 9th District but first he must get past four opponents in the Republican primary on May 24th. Collins is being challenged by former 10th District Congressman Paul Broun, Mike Scupin, Roger Fitzpatrick, and Bernie Fontaine.
Collins seems to be zeroing in on Broun although he has three other opponents. Scupin, Fitzpatrick, and Fontaine have been attending meet and greet events throughout the District. We are not aware of Fitzpatrick or Fontaine launching radio ads or social media campaigning; however the Scupin campaign is questioning Collins’ congressional voting record with daily attacks via social media.
The Collins campaign launched a radio ad claiming Broun abused taxpayers’ money and alleged he is under a federal criminal investigation.
Here’s the transcript:
Collins: “I’m Doug Collins and I approve this message….”
Narrator: “Career politician Paul Broun. Former congressman Broun’s hypocrisy is bad, but Paul Broun’s repeated abuse of the taxpayers’ money is even worse.
“Paul Broun claims to be an outsider. But Paul Broun’s been on the ballot 12 times in 26 years for six different political positions. He’s so desperate to further his political career, Broun’s now campaigning for Congress in a district he doesn’t even live in.
“While Paul Broun’s hypocrisy knows no bounds, Broun’s abuse of taxpayer’s money is even worse. In Congress, Broun nearly bankrupted his office budget with an excessive amount of taxpayer-funded mail. And now, former congressman Paul Broun is under a federal criminal investigation into his use of taxpayer money to aid his failed U.S. Senate campaign.
“Career politician Paul Broun’s hypocrisy is bad, but Paul Broun’s abuse of the taxpayers’ money is even worse.”
When the Collins campaign released its schedule of debates they made reference that Broun did not live in the 9th District by saying:
“I know these counties are a long ways away for Oconee County’s Paul Broun, but since he’s running over here in the 9th I encourage him to make the drive.”
Broun has responded with a radio ad attacking Collins’ record in congress. Broun refers to Collins as “Establishment.” Establishment is almost like a four letter word in the current political climate. The ad points out how Collins voted for the Omnibus Bill and showed support for former Speaker of the House John Boehner.
“I’m Dr. Paul Broun, I approve this message. You’ve probably heard the personal attack ads Establishment Politician Doug Collins has against me. They are full of distortions and half-truths. My daddy told me a half truth is a whole lie. And the whole truth is he’s desperate to distract you from his record. Establishment Doug Collins voted for Boehner for Speaker. Twice. Even after you told him not to. Then Collins voted for Boehner’s Omnibus Bill that fully funds Planned Parenthood, Obamacare, and Obama’s amnesty plan. Nancy Pelosi said ‘They really gave away the store.’ Attack ads can’t change a voting record. But I’m proud to talk about mine. I have a record of fighting the Establishment. I voted against Boehner as Speaker. I opposed all Omnibus bills. My record shows I’m a consistent, conservative, constitutionalist”
When Collins and Broun attend the forums they will be sharing the stage with three other candidates. Considering the time limits and the format for the forums, Collins and Broun may not have the opportunity to truly debate the issues.
Due to the busy nightly campaign schedule FetchYourNews.com, Good Morning from the Office with BKP, has invited Collins and Broun to a debate which would be held from 8-10 am. This would be during our live morning broadcast.
FYN has sent both campaigns an invitation to participate in this one on one debate opportunity.
Broun’s campaign has accepted stating, “I accept your invitation. I’m certain we can arrange our schedule to accommodate your request. Please let me know. Thank you.
Paul Broun M.D.”
We have not heard back from the Collins campaign at this time.
White County Seeks BOE Candidates
News, Politics March 27, 2016
CLEVELAND — The White County Board of Education has an empty seat to fill and is reaching out to citizens for help.
District 2 representative Roger Fitzpatrick resigned recently to make a second run for US Congress against incumbent District 9 Congressman Doug Collins.
At Thursday night’s board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Jeff Wilson said notice has been published in the county legal organ seeking candidates for the post. He explained that residents in District 2 will have 10 days to submit their request for consideration and the board will choose an appointee from those requesting consideration.
That appointee will fill the position until a special election can be conducted in November. The winner of that election will fill the remaining two years of Fitzpatrick’s term.
White County Probate Judge and Election Superintendent Garrison Baker will announce qualifying for the special election.
Lanier Tea Party 3/17/16 9th. District Congressional Candidates
Politics March 20, 2016
https://youtu.be/-DOyKvUcfgQ
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.
Fitzpatrick to Run for 9th District Congress
Politics March 5, 2016
My name is Roger Fitzpatrick and I’m running to represent Georgia’s 9th congressional District. I’m running because many of the voters are disappointed with Doug Collins, our current representative. I’m running because Mr. Collins has made decisions contrary to the promises he made 4 years ago and has placed votes in violation of the Constitution the swore to protect and defend.
For far too long, America has been going down a path contrary to the principles
upon which this nation was founded. For far too long, decisions have been made
which severely hamper this country’s ability to attain a level of greatness never
before seen in the history of the world. For far too long, compromise has been the
order of the day. For far too long, many of those in Congress have had the attitude of
“go along to get along.” For far too long, many who have run on a conservative
platform, once getting elected, have, at least in part, abandoned those conservative
principles and have placed votes in violation of sound Constitutional standards. For
far too long, many in Congress have made decisions based on what is best for a
select few rather on what is best for “We the People.”
No more going down the wrong path. No more making decisions contrary
to sound Constitutional Conservative principles. No more compromising on
decisions today that will have detrimental effects on generations to come. No more
listening to special interests. No more making decisions that diminish America’s
ability to be a bright, shining city on a hill. No more policy-making that in the least
way prevents the United States of America from being the bastion of freedom it was
created to be.
Now is the time for change. Now is the time to fight for America. Now is the time to
elect principled men and women, people of integrity to positions of public service at
all levels throughout this land. Now is the time to stand up to the political “insiders” and the political “establishment” and do what is right because it is the right thing to do. Now is the time for the people of Georgia’s 9th Congressional District to elect someone who is a true Constitutional Conservative. Now is the time to vote for and elect Roger Fitzpatrick as the next Congressman to represent Georgia’s 9th District.
If elected, I will serve with integrity, basing every decision on the following rubric:
1) Does the legislation before me violate the Word of God in any way;
2) Does it violate the Original Intent of the Constitution;
3) Do we need it;
4) Can we afford it?
I pledge to protect and defend the Constitution, this nation, and the people of this
nation with everything within me. I ask for your vote and support.
9th District Congressional Candidate Roger Fitzpatrick
Politics January 28, 2016
In the first video Roger Fitzpatrick announces his candidacy for the U.S. 9th. District Congressional Seat. Fitzpatrick announced earlier that week on a radio program in Gainsville.
Fitzpatrick announced at the January Lanier Tea Party Patriots meeting with about 70 in attendance.
The second video BKP interviews Fitzpatrick during his morning show, Good Morning from the Office.