Georgia Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle is taking his campaign for governor on the road. Cagle’s North Georgia tour, which boasts 17 counties in 6 days, began in Buford and has since gone through Lumpkin, Union, White, and Habersham counties.
On August 15, he attended a campaign event in Clarkesville. Hosted by Lori Jones and Tricia Hise, the event at Habersham EMC drew attention from many of the community’s administrative officials, including Superior Court Judge Chan Caudell, Sheriff Joey Terrell, and School Superintendent Matthew Cooper.
Cagle began his speech by discussing his humble beginnings and political rise. Cagle spent much of his childhood raised by his single mother in Gainesville. After graduating college, worked in business and real estate but soon found himself in a budding political career.
Cagle served 12 years in the state Senate and three terms as lieutenant governor. With his experience and ‘citizen-oriented plans,’ he says he’s confident in his future run.
If Cagle is elected governor, he says he plans to enhance the state’s economy and education fields. Cagle states he plans to “create 500,000 jobs” in his first term and establish more “career academies” to allow every child in Georgia to obtain further education.
As for taxes, Cagle asserts he will slash them by “100 million in the first 100 days”.
Cagle in White County
Cagle also made a campaign stop Tuesday at a joint meeting of the White County and Helen Rotary Clubs. Cleveland Kiwanis and Lions Club members were also invited to attend.
During the lunchtime event at Cleveland First Presbyterian Church, Cagle had praise for White County Charter School and the excellent graduation rate for the school.
Cagle said education is key to the success of the state, along with a good infrastructure. He said the proper education is needed to develop a good workforce.
The Lt. Governor told the crowd that the challenge for the state is to provide that education for the workforce and that we don’t let any student fall through the cracks, and he pointed to local community organizations playing a part.
“It’s about the Rotary Club, it’s about the Lions Club and the Kiwanis Club and the other community organizations that are coming alongside to help make sure that we are filling the gap that no kid gets to fall between,” commented Cagle.
Crowded field
Currently, there are seven announced candidates in the race for Georgia governor.
Republicans Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, Secretary of State Brian Kemp, State Sen. Hunter Hill, and State Sen. Michael Williams. On the Democratic ticket are House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams and State Rep. Stacey Evans. Doug Craig is running as a Libertarian.
Dean Dyer of WRWH Radio contributed to this report
