Disclaimer: This column is not an endorsement by the Editorial Board of The Augusta PRESS. This is an opinion column and strictly represents the opinions of Joe Edge, the publisher of The Augusta PRESS.
After two grueling hours of intense questioning of both candidates for State House District 125, I have come to the conclusion that there is a clear choice in this race. My decision is not based on any personal relationships, but on weighing the factors of both candidates against the needs of the constituents they seek to serve.
The right person to represent State House District 125 is without a doubt Gary Richardson.
Richardson has overseen an unprecedented amount of growth in Columbia County since being elected to the county commission. His professionalism, record of service, sacrificial attitude, business acumen and personal devotion to the community is unmatched. Those who have lived in Columbia County less than five or 10 years can’t image all that has changed for the better, nor how much growth has occurred in particular the district which Richardson represented.
MORE: State House candidates speak to prospective voters at Columbia County GOP caucus
Despite my conclusion, I would argue that Pearson is going to win elected office one day and he will do a fine job championing the conservative cause; I just think this particular office is not the most appropriate for his skill set, nor do I think he will be effective in the state legislature.
I have known Pearson for seven years and believe that he cares deeply about the conservative cause, and he clearly has a desire to serve. The circumstances of this race and office though make him the less qualified candidate. On the other hand, his opponent is proven and has a stellar record.
One big question that still remains is how far into Pearson’s past is fair game for evaluating how he will behave in the future. The standard seems to be nothing prior to the age of 18; however, that was such a short period of time ago that two or three years really isn’t enough to determine how someone will represent one of the fastest growing parts of the state. By running is Pearson opening the door to further scrutiny deeper into his past? This a question yet to be resolved in my mind.
SIMILARITIES
Both men are both staunch conservatives, support President Trump, agree that inappropriate books should be “dealt” with in the public library, and both understand that a positive relationship with fellow legislators and the governor are essential for success as a state representative.
Both men are pouncing on an opportunity to fill a seat in a chaotic, fast special election. Anyone who follows politics knows that anything can happen in a special election. Richardson was the likely frontrunner for County Chairman to succeed Doug Duncan, but chose to jump into this race when it opened up. Similarly Pearson saw an opportunity to launch a career in elected office skipping the traditional path of working up to the state legislature.
To be completely honest and transparent, it’s my opinion that neither had a good answer on what they hoped to achieve in the office if elected nor on what the most important issue facing the state was. My elucidation of this was that Richardson has served in a hyper local office and doesn’t fully know what to expect if elected. Alternatively Pearson has been hyper-focused on national politics since he was a young teenager. Pearson’s campaign rhetoric and platform sound more like someone running for congress. This might be a great strategy for accumulating votes, but it will do very little to help the people of District 125.
This point is key to why I believe Richardson is the right person for the seat.
To be successful in the state legislature one must have a good relationship with the governor and fellow legislators. Pearson has alienated Governor Kemp. In my interview Pearson indicated that the relationship had been repaired and that he could work with Kemp. I believe this is naïve and incorrect. Later that very day Kemp endorsed Richardson for the office. I can’t remember any instance where Kemp endorsed one Republican over another in a primary. It could have happened, but if it did I can’t find any example. That is how badly Kemp doesn’t want Pearson to win the seat.
If Pearson wins the house seat, District 125 will effectively have no representation in the state house as long as Kemp is governor. Pearson could vote along party lines and even tweet about it, but any plans he has to champion legislation or influence fiscal decisions effecting his district will be dead on arrival.
It is my belief that the GOP leadership will give Pearson a coloring book and tell him to sit in the corner by himself and shut up if elected.
Even more to the point is the fact that every single local elected official has endorsed Gary Richardson. This fact should not be ignored. These people who have been trusted by voters to serve have done a fine job as far as I can tell and they understand what it takes to be successful once elected. They all think Richardson is the man for the job. This list includes local state legislators.
State Representative Jodi Lott stated something on the Austin Rhodes Radio Show that I think really sums things up eloquently. She stated, and I am paraphrasing, that Pearson would not even be considered for a management position in most private companies with his age and inexperience. Yet we are wanting to elevate him to a position of executive management and leadership representing one of the fastest growing areas in the state. That makes no sense.
NEGATIVE ATTENTION
Both candidates have been the drug through the mud during this short campaign cycle. Many of the attacks on Pearson were the result of a super PAC controlled by Kemp, which is further evidence that Pearson will be sidelined if he wins.
Pearson won the residency challenge, but that doesn’t change the fact that he has not lived in the district for any recent continuous period of time. Legally he is a resident, and that fact was addressed, but it doesn’t mean he is in tune with the needs of State District 125. Gary on the other hand has lived and served in this area for decades.
The Daily Beast ran a negative story on Pearson related to a non-profit which he was involved with. Pearson indicated he is not on the board of directors and has no involvement with the group.
Gary Richardson has also been received some negative attention over a vote he made related to rezoning a property for a proposed car wash. On the face of the matter it appears as though Richardson should have recused himself from the vote. After peeling through the details on what actually occurred related to the zoning issue, it does appear that not only was Richardson’s vote justified, the measure would have failed had Richardson abstained anyway. The point is that Richardson’s negative vote wasn’t the deciding vote. In addition the party that was initially denied was later approved for the site after some reasonable modifications. All of this is pretty standard with zoning issues, which is something I can personally attest to. But the matter is complicated and more could be written here than people would care to read about.
An apparent conflict of interest vote is an easy point to beat Richardson up about. Frankly if that is all that can be dug up after seven years as a county commission, then Richardson has done a fine job.
Pearson has repeatedly beat up Richardson over not endorsing former President Donald Trump. I asked both men about this issue. Pearson has made it clear he supports Trump NO MATTER WHAT. Richardson has stated that he voted for Trump for President twice and he even gave money to him. Richardson put his money where his mouth is on his support for Trump.
It is naïve to support someone unconditionally. Trump has more baggage than a luggage store and is not as popular in Columbia County as many assume. It is reasonable to state that you will support whoever the GOP nominee is, whether its Trump or someone else, as Richardson has done.
This might fall short in Pearson’s eyes of a full endorsement of Trump, but who cares? Support for Trump will not help you represent District 125. What will help you is the support of the Georgia Republican leadership which is something Pearson will not have.
SUMMARY
The decision on who to vote for should come down to who is going to do the best job well best represent the peoples’ interests. Richardson is capable of stepping in and working with other legislators and the governor day one. Pearson will have an insurmountable challenge in this area. That reason alone is enough to justify sending Richardson to the state house. Let’s let Pearson get more seasoned and live in the area a for a little longer contiguous period of time. I can see Pearson running for Congress when Rick Allen retires. Pearson’s national platform and knowledge would make him a top contender in that race, and he would be better suited to represent the interests of this community there rather than in Atlanta.
