GAGOP Convention: Winners, Losers, and Big Losers
Contentious debate, scheming, victory, and losses.
For the last two weeks, many of our readers have been inundated with mailers, emails, texts, and calls. All leading up to the 2024 GAGOP Convention, held in Columbus this past weekend.
Election Results:
For the sake of time and convenience, below will be listed each election result for the contested races.
For National Delegate At Large:
Donna Watson (Nominated from Floor)…………………. 694 votes (54.56%)
Debbie Dooley (Nominated Slate)……………………………………… 578 votes (45.44%)
Trey Kelly (Nominated Slate)……………………………………… 811 votes (63.96%)
Cheryl Tiedman (Nominated from Floor)………. 457 votes (36.04%)
Pat Gartland (Nominated from Floor)……………………………………… 1104 votes (86.66%)
Betsy Kramer (Nominated Slate)………………………………………….. 170 (13.34%)
Brandon Philips (Nominated Slate)……………………………………… 859 votes (63.06%)
Rob Johnson (Nominated from Floor)…………………………………. 398 votes (36.94%)
Alec Poitevint (Nominated Slate)……………………………………… 898 votes (72.89%)
Richard Clarke (Nominated from Floor)…………………………. 334 votes (27.11%)
Rick Tillman (Nominated Slate) ……………………………………… 712 votes (57.28%)
Clint Holland (Nominated from Floor)………………………….. 531 votes (42.72%)
For Alternate Delegate At Large:
Clint Holland………………………….. 729 votes
Steve Kramer…………………………… 507 votes
For National Committeeman
Round 1: Total Vote 1253
Jason Thompson …………………… 588 (46.92%) Advanced to round 2
David Cross……………………………. 333 (26.57%) Advanced to round 2
David Frazier ………………………… 332 (26.49%)
Round 2: Total Vote 1243
Jason Thompson …………………… 728 (58.56%) Winner
David Cross……………………………. 515 (41.43%)
For National Committeewoman
Round 1: Total Vote 1241
Ginger Howard….…. 587 ( 47.30%) Advanced to round 2
Amy Kremer…....…… 484 (39.00%) Advanced to round 2
Shawn Cross…....….. 170 (13.69%)
Round 2: Total Vote 1234
Amy Kremer…....…… 643 (52.10%) Winner
Ginger Howard….…. 591 (47.89%)
Attendance:
After hours of speeches from politicians, from Burt Jones and MTG, to local state representatives. Business began with a total of 1366 voting members.
Story 1: Trump and National Delegates
Trump-Endorsed National Delegates:
On Friday, sources tell me that the Nominating Committee received a “Trump Slate” or a list of at large delegates who “Trump wanted to run.” Sources, without detail, also tell me that this list was essentially forced down the throat of the Convention Nominating Committee.
A back and forth was also reported within the committee, initially, the “Trump Slate” did not include, Mike Collin’s Chief of Staff and former GAGOP District Chair Brandon Phillips.
Instead, it had state Senator Brandon Beach. Who, later was removed and replaced with Brandon Philips.
This slate was a mixed bag, with some good suggestions such as Debbie Dooley, Joanna Hildreath, Alton Russell, Suzi Voyles, and Caroline Jeffords.
The bad included Trey Kelly, John Garst, Brandon Philips (More on that later) and a few others.
The real story from the slate, is that the Trump team came in and forced a slate down our throats. And not a very good one at that.
Tiffany Savage VS. John Garst (More Trump Slate Trouble)
John Garst, the original member running for slot 10 on the “Trump Endorsed Slate” has now been removed and replaced with Tiffany Savage. John Garst was a former Dominion lobbyist and notable liberal republican.
According to others at the convention, Tiffany Savage was told by the Trump team, her employers, that she was not permitted to run and had planned on withdrawing from the floor.
Before that could happen, Chairman McKoon from stage said that “For the sake of party unity, John Garst has withdrawn his nomination.” Tiffany Savage was then allowed to run, unopposed, with permission from the Trump team.
People were rightfully upset that Dominion Lobbyist, John Garst, was on the Trump slate, Brian Pritchard and others are now attacking GOP Chairman Josh McKoon for that. Despite Trump’s suggestion that he be nominated, and the Nominating Committees decision to forward that slate, Josh McKoon had nothing to do with that…. WATCH: Brian Pritchard Freaks Out
Story 2: The Conventions Biggest Losers.
Third Place Loser(s):
William Quinn and L Todd Wood.
In 3rd place for the Convention’s biggest losers is the Georgia Record’s, William Quinn and L Todd Wood.
Not only did they not get a media pass, as they complain in their podcast, but every attempt they made on the floor, from nominating Brian Pritchard on the floor for National Delegate, Removing Chairman McKoon, and getting rid of the electronic vote tally clickers all failed.
Nothing they tried succeeded…
Second Place Loser:
In 2nd place, is aforementioned, Brian Pritchard.
The man walked in the room on Saturday morning like a rockstar.
He had his pals passing out a paper listing the reasons that Josh McKoon should resign, when they made an effort to run someone against Josh McKoon from the floor, they were instantly shutdown. There was no further attempt.
First Place Loser(s):
Mr. and Mrs. Cross… Go figure
I’ve written extensively about the slanderous campaign they ran in the weeks leading up to the election, not only lying about the Georgia Examiner, but primarily about the Family of the victorious Jason Thompson.
David Cross gave a speech, where boos could be heard from across the room, he ranted and raved about how everyone was out to get him. In the span of his speech, there was very little made of his accomplishments.
He went onto lose that race against Thompson, barely beating Frazier in the first round (Just by one vote) and then losing with only 42% of the vote on the second round.
And of course, the vanity candidate, Shawn Cross who only got 170 votes, or 13%
No more needs to be made about this, he talked a big game, he thought he was untouchable after last years victory, and now he knows that poorly produced videos where he robotically reads from a script is not enough to win most elections.
Story 3: The Winners
Third Place Winner:
Amy Kremer
Amy Kremer, who beat a two term incumbent, Ginger Howard, for one of the most prestigious roles in the RNC takes one of the top spots merely because of the feat. To myself, and perhaps anyone else on the convention floor, it felt like Ginger had a better shot than Jason Thompson.
Amy Kremer and Shawn Cross both ran campaigns that were lacking in substance, there were few emails and fewer texts.
But what secured Kramer’s victory, was her speech. It wasn’t special, but it was better than Ginger’s and certainly better than Shawn Cross’ speech.
She has large shoes to fill, and will exist in a shadow. Her ability to fundraise, organize, and assist the Georgia GOP in her role as NCW won’t be revealed until after the 2024 election, but I wish her the best.
But now as things progress, there looks to be a disaster in the waiting, which I will be writing more about soon. READ: Activist that endorsed Amy Kremer now calls on her to resign or be removed (Please note, I can not comment on the validity or integrity of Georgia Integrity as a publication but an accusation has been made against Amy for financial misconduct.)
Second Place Winner:
Jason Frazier
Despite losing, Jason Frazier does deserve props… He only lost by 1 vote against Cross. Had he won that vote, it is likely he would’ve beat Jason Thompson. Frazier rode above the mud slinging that was on display by David Cross and his acolytes, and for an inexperienced party member, he deserves his props
.
First Place Winner:
Josh McKoon
Josh McKoon’s success at this year’s GAGOP convention shouldn’t be understated. The 2024 GAGOP convention was well ran, effective, not nearly as divisive in substance as last years.
He also defended and present himself well. Despite the lies being levied against him. Both the Convention, and his success in removing Brian Pritchard leading up to the convention show his competence as the Chair of the GAGOP.
Honorable Mentions
The honorable mentions include:
Jason Thompson, who fought a hard campaign, received the endorsements of various organizations, both nationally and in the grassroots, and won gracefully.
The Georgia Republican Assembly. The GRA did have a good day at the convention. With Alex Johnson on the rules committee and from the floor, he and other GRA members were able to make this 2024 convention “the most open convention in Georgia history”
The GRA also lead efforts in passing election integrity resolutions, including one that led to the removal of Ed Lindsey from the State Election Board.
Update:
Updated to remove “Despite its waning influence,” after being confronted by some GRA members more explaining the role they played, it’s become abundantly clear that the statement was incorrect.