Who’s More Conservative? Collins Corrals Conservative Status from Young Guns

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Georgia’s Ninth District, even the new Ninth District, is one of the most conservative voting districts in the nation. This means, of course, that the battleground is conservatism. So, the question for voters is: who is the most conservative candidate?

Over the past six months or so, Ninth District Candidate Martha Zoller has won a string of big, solidly conservative endorsements, the pinnacle of which was Former Presidential Candidate Herman Cain, who endorsed Zoller the same day he endorsed current Presidential Candidate and hometown favorite Newt Gingrich. Zoller has also earned other coveted conservative endorsements, such as that of Sean Hannity, Mark Levin, Erik, Erikson, The Susan B. Anthony Association, Georgia Right to Life and most recently the Freedomworks Political Action Committee (PAC). Focusing on limited government and lower taxes, Freedomworks is another big win for Zoller. Also, in an early interview with FYN, Zoller noted that she had been called Tea Party before the Tea Party existed, emphasizing her conservative values. Additionally, she has pitted her conservatism against Rep. Doug Collins (R-Gainesville), coloring Collins as part of the establishment, contrasting him with grassroots conservatism.

“If litigations and dinners with lobbyists are the kind of experience that you need,”

she told FYN in October,

“then, I think, there’s a problem.”

This week, though, Collins was named an “On the Radar” candidate by the Young Guns Group, the second step in the Program. By some, the program is seen as a conservative distinction. Formed in 2007-2008 by Reps Eric Cantor (R-VA), Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), and Paul Ryan (R-WI), the program

“helps Republican candidates to build strong and winning campaigns through goals, benchmarks, and accountability,”

states the program’s website. Although the Young Guns Website does not explicitly outline a conservative platform, its parent organization, the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), asserts the program works

“to recruit and prime conservative leaders for victory.”

In a conversation with FYN today, Martha Zoller Campaign Manager Ryan Mahoney said that Zoller too is part of the program, clarifying that the Young Guns Program is not an endorsement. He said that Zoller is at step one of the program, where Collins is at step two; the program has four steps. Mahoney explained Collins made it to step two simply by meeting a financial goal, not due, he said, to anything accomplished at the grassroots level. He affirmed, though, he thought the Young Guns an excellent program.

Also in the fracas for conservative votes are Candidate Hunter Bicknell and Clifton McDuffie. In addition to his candidacy, Bicknell is currently the Chair of the Jackson County Board of Commissioners. In a March 15th press release, Bicknell was named to “Pass the Balanced Budget Amendment National Advisory Board.” The Chairman is joined by over 35

“of the nation’s most prominent conservative leaders on the National Advisory Board.”

But, arguably Bicknell has a tangible fiscally conservative record, which may give voters ample evidence of his conservatism in action. During a December event in Gilmer County, he noted that, under his guidance, Jackson County has prevented millage increases, lowered taxes in the county, and reworked some of the county’s debt. Over the last few months, the chairman has also been instrumental in bringing business and jobs into his county. In addition to courting Bed, Bath and Beyond and Kubota to do business in the county, in January Toyota agreed to open a Pendergrass Compressor Plant. The Toyota facility alone is expected to create 320 jobs.

Although Clifton McDuffie has been on the campaign trail, news of his endorsements is scarce. His accomplishments as an Albany Chamber President show success with job creation, where he helped recruit a $54 million Firestone Plant creating 1500 jobs and, a Proctor and Gamble Plant, which created 2000 jobs. These accomplishments suggest evidence of knowledge of the private sector, a significant aspect of conservatism.

Also, announcing his candidacy just last month, new comer Roger Fitzpatrick swiftly realized the significance of winning the conservative vote. Fitzpatrick initially announced he would run as an Independent.

“The reason I’m running as an Independent is that right now,”

he said,

“whenever I turn on the news, when you listen to anybody that is carrying a party label, there seems to be a constant blame-game…It’s important to realize that we’re American first.”

However, earlier this week, Fitzpatrick told FYN he has decided to run on the Republican ticket. Here, he called acquiring the required signatures to run on the ballot as an Independent daunting, but added,

“I think the people of this district would prefer to vote for a party candidate, especially if they have no personal knowledge of the candidate.”

Collins’ recent ranking by the Young Guns Program is a reminder that the Ninth District Race is a battle for fulfilling the voters’ definition of what it means to be a conservative. But, are endorsements enough to win votes?

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