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The new day has finally arrived. Within five years, Georgia has
abandoned over 150 years worth of Democrat rule to become one of the
strongest Republican states in the nation. Economic opportunity deeply
impacts the success or failure of individual communities. Communities that
are prospering are only strengthening the existing Republican presence
that has led them to attract the essential factors that every successful
economy needs. Areas that are stagnant (or actually losing jobs) are
continuing to vote Democrat.
Even Union and Towns Counties, once Democratic strongholds, prove as
Republican as any other county in state and federal elections. There are a
number of reasons that explain the shift in our state, but leadership, or
the lack thereof, is a key factor in the mass exodus from the Georgia
Democratic Party.
Each year, the Department of Community Affairs releases a tier ranking
of the 159 Georgia counties using indicators: unemployment rate, per
capita income, and incomes below the poverty rate
(http://www.dca.state.ga.us/economic/TaxCredits/programs/taxcredit. asp).
Initially an incentive for industrial growth, it is now also used as an
indicator of a healthy county economy as well. County economic conditions
are ranked from 1 to 159 beginning with Tier 1 (the worst economic
conditions) to Tier 4 (the best economic situations).
Nine of the ten counties in Georgia with the lowest ranking had one
common denominator: a Democrat Commission Chairman. Furthermore, 47 of the
50 counties with partisan elections with worse economic conditions have an
elected Democrat as the Chairman. Democratic leadership in these counties,
or the lack thereof, have been in place in these counties since before the
Civil War.
Every top ten county also have a common thread: voters have chosen a
Republican as Commission Chairman. In fact, only one county out of the
entire Tier 4 ranking is headed by a non-Republican. Asingle year would be
an important, but this pattern has continued to materialize since the
rankings have been available. Any Democratic county with a strong ranking
is clearly the exception-not the rule.
At some point in time, leadership needs to be held accountable. In the
1800s and 1900s, Democratic good ole' boys dominated Georgia politics.
Corruption, nepotism, and patronage were rampant. Most than once people
have said this was "OK" because at least he was "our crook". Some counties
are still paying for the Democratic machine.
In 2007, however, counties are multi-million dollar businesses that
need proven leadership and vision. As Republicans we believe individuals
are responsible for their destiny, but when the same system has failed for
over 150 years, it is time for change. Politics is more than a game-it's
about your future. Your economic opportunities, your education, and the
health and well-being of your family are at stake. Fortunately, 13 of the
15 counties in the Ninth District are increasing economic opportunities
and have elected a Republican as its leader. Thanks to leadership and
communities working together, our district contains more Tier 4 counties
than any other district in the state.
Kevin Harris, Mineral Bluff, is Chairman of the 9th District
Republican Party. For additional information, please visit
www.gagop9.org | 
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