Convening a second year in Augusta, the state Republican party on Saturday elected John Watson, a lobbyist who helped turn Georgia red, as new chairman of the state party.
"Our party is in debt and Democrats are once again gunning for us," Watson said in a campaign speech to 1,578 voting delegates and alternates attending the state convention. "If we take a single vote, a single day or a single dollar for granted, we could all feel the pain of liberalism inflicted on this great state."
Born in Virginia, Watson was a consultant and later chief of staff to former Gov. Sonny Perdue, now Secretary of Agriculture, when Perdue switched parties to become Georgia's first Republican governor since Reconstruction. Watson's registration with the state ethics commission lists him as a lobbyist for 21 groups and industries, including casino gambling.
Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul called Watson "one of the most qualified people I know" and Perdue recently endorsed him for the post. Perdue's cousin, U.S. Sen. David Perdue, rallied the crowd Saturday with a speech praising President Donald Trump.
Trump is accomplishing the "largest overhaul of onerous regulations in U.S. history," the senator said, and "had the guts to pull us out of the Paris accords."
The four-way chairman's contest required three votes before a candidate won more than 50 percent of votes. A first vote removed Evans businessman Mike Welsh, who placed fourth with 134 votes. Welsh said he and family members had worked hard for the Republican party.
"Together the Welsh family has made over 100,000 phone calls on behalf of Republican candidates since 2012. That is enthusiasm you cannot buy," Welsh said.
A second vote cut from the contest Michael McNeely, who would have become the first black GOP leader in a southern state. The state party was founded during Reconstruction in Augusta by free blacks at Springfield Baptist Church, and delegates were advised to visit the church, two blocks from Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center.
Former Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain, keynote speaker at the convention breakfast, said only McNeely had spoken with him prior to the election, just as Trump was the only presidential candidate to do so.
"Yes, Michael McNeely, I called his name," Cain said.
Cain also blasted the prospect of casino gambling in Georgia as having an impact "socially" as a "net-net loss" in communities that haven't become destinations, such as Las Vegas.
Watson said the party must "shake off our internal sniping" and engage African-American, Hispanic and Asian voters, as well as millennials, "on a daily basis."
The millennial candidate, Alex Johnson, lost in the third round to Watson, 741-679.
Johnson spoke against "cronyist gambling legislation" as compromising Georgia's "moral fabric" and said Republicans must not be complacent or place money above our core principles."
A Johnson supporter and delegate from Cobb County, Amy Barnes said the DeKalb County attorney was "an outstanding civil rights advocate" with a proper focus on constitutional rights that is sometimes overlooked in Republican circles.
Trump's tweets, global warming, the media and the upcoming Sixth Congressional District runoff were mentioned by most convention speakers, which included Karen Handel, the Republican in the Sixth District runoff. U.S. Rep. Rick Allen of Augusta said his God "can turn the temperature up and down any time he wants to."
The 11-hour convention day wore on several delegates not thrilled with the outcome.
"I like the way they drained the swamp by electing a lobbyist," said John Wical, a delegate from Gwinnett County.
Wical said he'd supported "Johnson, McNeely, anybody but the lobbyist."
Polk County delegate Lois Luzier said her fourth state convention wasn't as enjoyable as others she attended.
"I thought Athens was better," Luzier said, calling the Athens environment "warmer."
Most in attendance praised the host city and Augusta Marriott Convention Center.
"It makes my job easier" to have Republicans visit from all over the state, said Rep. Mark Newton, R-Augusta.
"It puts Augusta in a really good light," Newton said.
(c)2017 The Augusta Chronicle (Augusta, Ga.)
