Ralston Will Vote for Collins, Speaker Says

Georgia House Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) boldly threw his support behind Ninth District Candidate Rep. Doug Collins (R-Gainesville) last night during the Fannin County GOP meeting.Early in the Collins Campaign, Ralston denied endorsing Collins for the Ninth District Congressional Race, saying only that he has known Collins for years. However, any doubt of Ralston’s endorsement of Collins faded last night.

“I’m here tonight,”

Ralston told the crowded room,

“not to tell you who to support, but to tell you who I’m supporting and why. I’m supporting Doug Collins from Hall County.”

The speaker said he usually does not get involved in other people’s races besides his own, adding that he has made very few exceptions over the years. However, he feels the Ninth District race is one of the most important races in this election cycle and that he believes in Collins.

“It’s going to take more than someone just talking about something up there…Doug has experience. He knows how to pass legislation; he knows how to get things done,”

Ralston explained. The speaker also said Collins has values and courage. Ralston and Collins served in the State House of Representatives for years, he said, where the two became friends. He asserted Collins is exactly the kind of person he wants representing him in Congress.

“I’m telling you, not how to vote,”

Ralston reiterated,

“but just to tell you that I’m going to vote and do everything I can do to elect Doug Collins to Congress.”