U.S. Candidate David Perdue Brings Campaign Caravan to Mountain Counties a Week before the July 22nd Runoff Election

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David Perdue must be exhausted but it sure doesn’t show.

A gregarious, energetic Perdue appeared to enjoy chatting with supporters in Pickens, Gilmer, and Fannin counties in a series of well-orchestrated gatherings a mere week before what is likely to be a tight race for the U.S. Senate next Tuesday.
Perdue faces Congressman Jack Kingston in a run-off election July 22nd for the senate seat vacated by ‘retiring’ Saxby Chamblis.

Perdue has been perceived as the underdog but has made significant recent ground. The ‘non-establishment’ candidate came accompanied by Alec Poitevint, a former aide to past Governor, Sonny Perdue. Sonny Perdue is David Perdue’s cousin.

Poitevint spoke to FYN about Perdue’s chances of beating Democratic candidate Michelle Nunn in the general election.

“He has beat her in the polls head to head. He has a good chance of defeating her in the Fall.”

This represents political gospel coming from a demonstrated election expert with Georgia roots but national credentials.

His support indicates a significant gain for Perdue in a world where state-level party support is tantamount to a win. Kingston campaign claims have focused on ‘keeping the seat’ but Perdue told a Blue Ridge audience:

“If you want things to stay the same in Washington, go ahead and vote that way. If you want things to change, vote Perdue.”

Picken’s County

Perdue arrived at the Carriage House coffee shop in Picken’s county at 7:30 Monday morning for an audience of approximately thirty-five supporters.

Robert and Mildred Hartnagel drove from Bartow County to meet him there. The couple reacted without hesitation when asked if they were Perdue supporters.

Mr. Hartnagel (who received a kidney from Carriage House owner, Dawn House in 2005) has maintained ties to Picken’s County ever since.

The couple said they like Perdue because he is a businessman (“not a lawyer or a career politician”). They agreed with the candidate’s support of the ‘fair tax’ and appreciated the fact that he did not use negative ads.

Gilmer County:

The next morning (Tuesday) Perdue and his wife were at Mike’s Ellijay Restaurant where they were greeted by approximately fifteen supporters. Nationally recognized fiscal conservative and radio personality, Joe Mc Cutcheon was there lending his support.

Mc Cutcheon ‘carries votes’ for tea party-style voters in Gilmer County and his endorsement means much to the Perdue campaign.

Fannin County

Perdue arrived at the Chevron Station in Blue Ridge on the four-lane to a group of approximately fifty supporters.
Significant is that nearly every elected official in the county was in attendance. Much of that can be attributed to a seasoned local political insider who called many attendees the day before and asked that they come.

This bears witness to the strength of the Perdue campaign team, and the tenacity Perdue has come to be known for. Embracing his ‘outsider’ status, the business man (who has never held public office) has the word proudly written on the bus that bears the signatures of Georgians throughout the state.


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