East Cobb Politics & Elections

Kavanaugh confirmed to U.S. Supreme Court as Isakson, Perdue vote ‘aye’

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Kavanaugh confirmed

The U.S. Senate voted 50-48 Saturday to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court, as Georgia’s Senators voted, as expected, with the Republican majority.

Sen. David Perdue issued this statement afterward:

I just voted to confirm Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the United States Supreme Court. This has proven to be a very tumultuous time in Washington. Despite the partisan attempts to assassinate Judge Kavanaugh’s character, I’m encouraged that the U.S. Senate acted decisively about the future of America’s highest court.

The presumption of innocence is still a fundamental cornerstone of our democracy. The Senate’s Constitutional role is to offer advice and consent, and this is something I take seriously.

There is no doubt in my mind that Judge Kavanaugh is going to do exactly what he said he’d do in his testimony: “Preserve the Constitution of the United States and the American rule of law.” Judge Kavanaugh has served America well for 12 years on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, and I’m confident he will continued to do so on the United States Supreme Court.

Sen. Johnny Isakson of East Cobb did not speak from the Senate floor or comment after the vote, but issued this statement on Thursday about his intention to vote for Kavanaugh.

Neither Georgia senator is up for re-election this year. Republicans currently have a 51-49 majority.

Outgoing Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal said this after the vote Saturday:

Brett Kavanaugh is one of our nation’s finest legal minds and he will serve on the U.S. Supreme Court with distinction.

Republican Sen. Steve Daines of Montana was absent and did not vote Saturday, giving away his daughter at her wedding. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, a Republican swing vote, opposed Kavanaugh’s nomination and voted present as a courtesy to Daines.

Kavanaugh, the subject of intense Senate and national debate after allegations of sexual misconduct were made public, was confirmed in the closest vote since Clarence Thomas in 1991.

That confirmation also followed dramatic hearings about alleged sexual harassment from Anita Hill. The Georgia-born Thomas is now the longest-serving justice on the court.

Kavanaugh, who succeeds retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy, was sworn in late Saturday afternoon by Chief Justice John Roberts.

 

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Cobb Elections seeking poll workers for Nov. 6 general election date

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From Cobb County Government:

Cobb Elections needs additional poll workers, especially in the East Cobb area, to work the election on Nov. 6. Please apply now.

A poll worker must be a U.S. Citizen, Cobb County resident, at least 16 years old, able to read, write, and speak English, and not have any felony conviction in the last 10 years. Poll workers attend at least one training class before working at the poll.

Workers must arrive at 6 a.m. on Election Day and stay until approximately one hour after polls close at 7 p.m.

You must provide your own transportation to your scheduled class and to the poll on Election Day.

To obtain information regarding pay rates or to complete an application, please download a brochure at www.cobbelections.org/pdf/PollWorkerBrochure.pdf

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Isakson to vote for Brett Kavanaugh confirmation to U.S. Supreme Court

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This just in from the office of Georgia Sen. Johnny Isakson, a Republican from East Cobb who has not said much publicly about the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation process for the U.S. Supreme Court:

U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, CHIP reathorization
U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson

“The Senate Judiciary Committee, led by Chairman Chuck Grassley, did a remarkable job conducting the confirmation process to consider the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.

After reviewing the proceedings, including more than 30 hours of testimony from Judge Kavanaugh, and reviewing all witness testimony along with the rest of the record that has been presented throughout the course of Judge Kavanaugh’s confirmation process, I will support his nomination.

“Any judge on the nation’s highest court should be one who understands and applies the law based on the U.S. Constitution, and I have confidence that Judge Kavanaugh will fulfill these duties accordingly. I’ve based my decision on the totality of the information provided during the confirmation process.

Judge Kavanaugh is a talented and experienced jurist, and I am confident he will bring a strong commitment to the Constitution and the rule of law to the Supreme Court. I look forward to voting to confirm Judge Brett Kavanaugh to serve as associate justice on the Supreme Court.”

Republican Sen. David Perdue, Georgia’s junior senator, has been a a vocal supporter of Kavanaugh and on Wednesday issued some harsh words from the Senate floor about his Democratic colleagues who have opposed the nomination, accusing them of inciting extremism.

“This is America, but these are the tactics of the brownshirts in Germany in the 1930s,” Perdue said.

Perdue has been confronted by anti-Kavanaugh protestors in recent days, including some who cornered him in a restroom at Reagan National Airport in Washington.

On Thursday, senators were viewing a supplemental report compiled the FBI to look into accusations of sexual misconduct against Kavanaugh when he was a teenager, and that formed the basis of a tense hearing last week before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

A Senate vote on confirmation has been scheduled for Saturday. Republicans hold a 51-49 edge in the Senate.

 

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Update: Cobb school board candidates forum at East Cobb MS cancelled

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Following up a story we posted last week about the Post 6 Cobb school board candidates forum at East Cobb Middle School, that was scheduled for Thursday:

It’s been called off.Cobb school board candidates forum

No reason has been given by the Wheeler PTSA, which had organized the event.

The candidates are Republican incumbent Scott Sweeney, who told us yesterday he’d been notified via text message, and Democratic challenger Charisse Davis, who’s been informing her supporters of the cancellation as well.

Sweeney also told us there is no other scheduled event for the candidates in that race before the Nov. 6 election.

Post 6 includes the Walton, Wheeler and part of the Campbell attendance zones.

On Thursday the League of Women Voters of Marietta/Cobb is holding a candidates forum for District 3 Cobb Commission candidates and those running for state senate, including District 32 in East Cobb.

 

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District 3 Cobb Commission, legislative races featured in Thursday candidates forum

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District 3 Cobb Commission

On Thursday the League of Women Voters of Marietta/Cobb will be holding a candidates forum in downtown Marietta that will include candidates for the District 3 Cobb Commission and legislative races.

The forum lasts from 7-9 p.m. and will be held in the 2nd floor board room of the Cobb government building, 100 Cherokee St. (where county commissioners hold their meetings).

The candidates who have been invited include those vying for the Georgia State Senate District 32 seat that covers most of East Cobb: Republican incumbent Kay Kirkpatrick and Democrat Christine Triebsch.

That’s a rematch of last year’s special election won by Kirkpatrick. They will be included in a discussion with other Cobb state senate candidates from 7-8 p.m.

From 8-9, the focus is on the District 3 Cobb Commission race, which pits Republican incumbent JoAnn Birrell against Democrat Caroline Holko.

The forum is free and also will be shown live on TV23, Cobb government’s local access cable channel.

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Sen. David Perdue statement on Kavanaugh investigation

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Around 5 p.m. Friday the office of Sen. David Perdue sent out the following statement about the Judiciary Committee vote on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh:

In yesterday’s hearing, we heard directly from both Dr. Ford and Judge Kavanaugh. Here is what we know:

No corroborating evidence has been presented to support these accusations.Sen. David Perdue

Judge Kavanaugh has been consistent & categorical in his denial. While Dr. Ford identified 3 witnesses, each of these witnesses stated under penalty of perjury that the events did not occur, which further corroborates Judge Kavanaugh’s testimony.

While Democrats continue to clamor for further FBI investigation, let’s look at what happened. To date, Judge Kavanaugh has been thoroughly investigated by the FBI 6 times, which is more than any other Supreme Court nominee in history.

If Senate Democrats really wanted to get at the truth, they would have immediately provided the information that only they received to the FBI & Senate Judiciary. Instead, Senator Feinstein held onto Dr. Ford’s letter for 6 weeks before it was leaked to the press.

When Chuck Grassley learned of Dr. Ford’s letter in the media, he quickly instituted a full committee investigation. Since then, the Democratic members of the committee chose not to participate.

It is clear that Senate Democrats’ demands for an FBI investigation are nothing more than an orchestrated effort to cause a delay and push this decision past the election in November.

Shame on the United States Senate if it puts political interest before its constitutional responsibility. In America, the presumption of innocence until proven guilty is a cornerstone of our democracy. That’s at the heart of what makes our country exceptional.

Now that the committee has voted to move this nomination forward, it is time to take a vote before the full Senate. It is time to put the Democrats’ partisan delays behind us. It is time to confirm Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the United States Supreme Court.

We will post a response from Sen. Johnny Isakson when that becomes available.

 

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Wheeler PTSA to hold Cobb school board Post 6 candidates forum

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Next week the Wheeler PTSA will be holding a candidates forum for the Cobb school board Post 6 race.Scott Sweeney, Cobb school calendars

That forum is Thursday, Oct. 4 at 6:30 p.m. at East Cobb Middle School (825 Terrell Mill Road).

The candidates are Republican incumbent Scott Sweeney of East Cobb and Democrat Charisse Davis of Smyrna.

Sweeney, first elected in 2010, is seeking his third term. He is an executive with InPrime Legal, which provides legal services for small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Charisse Davis Davis is a first-time candidate and has children at Teasley Elementary School and Campbell Middle School.

She is a youth services librarian in the public library system and former school librarian and classroom teacher.

She supports expanding the statewide pre-K program.

Post 6 includes the Wheeler and Walton and part of the Campbell attendance zones. A map can be found here and Post 6 is indicated in pink.

Candidate websites:

 

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Cobb voter registration deadline is Oct. 9

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If you want to vote in the Nov. 6 general election and you’re not signed up to do so the Cobb voter registration deadline is just a couple weeks away.cobb advance voting, Cobb voter registration deadline, Walton and Dickerson PTSA candidates forum

You have until Oct. 9, and you can check your status and register here at the Georgia Secretary of State’s office.

More information about local races, including sample ballots, early voting and polling places, can be found at the Cobb Elections website.

Early voting begins Oct. 15 and will take place in East Cobb the week before the election.

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Cobb, Georgia elected and party officials react to Sen. John McCain’s death

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State and local officials in Georgia and Cobb have offered condolences and issued statements regarding Arizona U.S. Sen. John McCains’s death on Saturday.

From U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson of Georgia, an East Cobb Republican who served with McCain on the Senate Armed Services Committee since 2005:

U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, Sen. John McCain death
U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson

“John McCain has left an example for all of us of what it takes to be an American patriot. His willingness to reach out to all to do what is right inspires us to work to find common ground. His life and work have left their indelible mark on history, and we all owe John a lot. May God bless John and his family.”

From David Perdue, a Republican from Warner Robins and Georgia’s junior senator:

“American patriot is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of John McCain. He dedicated his life to serving the country he loved so much & for that we will be eternally grateful.

“John’s wit, wisdom, and leadership will be missed in the United States Senate – especially on the Armed Services Committee.”

U.S. Congressman John Lewis, a Democrat from Atlanta:

“We have lost a great warrior who defended this nation’s honor in times of war and peace. He risked his life for America as a soldier, guarded our integrity as a prisoner of war, and dedicated his entire life to public service.  Only a few will ever be remembered for standing on the courage of their convictions.

“Sen. John McCain was one of those rare people who was never afraid to do what he believed was right. Our nation is forever indebted to men and women of  conscience who struggle—in their own way, according to the dictates of their own hearts—to act on the ideals of democracy and work to build a more perfect union. I send my deepest condolences to his family. They are in my thoughts and prayers.”

Jason Shepherd, Cobb GOP

Jason Shepherd, chairman of the Cobb County Republican Party:

“For more than a century, his family has served our nation. His grandfather entered the Navy in 1906 and died an Admiral 4 days after witnessing with his son the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay on September 4. He, along with his father and grandfather before him, has left his mark on American history. 
“His passing at 81 means an era in American politics is over. While each of us had our opinion of the man who lived a very public life, privately, he was still also a husband, a father, a grandfather, a brother, and a son.”

U.S. Sen Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, wants to rename the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington after McCain. Richard Russell was a longtime senator from Georgia, serving from 1933 to 1971.

 

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Walton and Dickerson PTSA candidates forum features legislative races

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The PTSAs at Walton High School and Dickerson Middle School have invited Georgia state house candidates to a forum on Sept. 17.cobb advance voting, Walton and Dickerson PTSA candidates forum

The event takes place from 7-8 p.m. in the theater at Dickerson (855 Woodlawn Drive).

The candidates are from East Cobb-area districts in the Georgia House: State Rep. Sharon Cooper, the Republican incumbent in District 43, and her Democratic challenger, Luisa Wakeman.

The District 45 candidates also have been invited: Republican State. Rep. Matt Dollar and Essence Johnson, a Democrat who is opposing him in November.

The public is invited and anyone interested in submitting questions should send them to Amanda Moulthrop, the Dickerson PTSA legislative chair, by emailing: anmoulthrop@gmail.com.

The doors open at 6:30 p.m.

 

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East Cobb Election Update: Kemp routs Cagle, McBath edges Abel in runoffs

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East Cobb Election Update

UPDATED 11:20 P.M.

Lucy McBath, a gun-control advocate from East Cobb, has won the 6th Congressional District Democratic runoff.

With all 207 precincts reporting, she won with a 54-46 percent margin, collecting 14,270 votes. Kevin Abel, a Sandy Springs technology entrepreneur, received 12,258 votes.

McBath decisively won in her home base of East Cobb by a 59-41 percent spread, with 4,389 votes to 3,053 for Abel, as all 50 precincts have reported.

She also got 6,090 votes in Fulton to 5,313 for Abel, a 53-47 percent margin, with all 114 precincts reporting.6th CD Dem runoff precinct map

In DeKalb, Abel won 51-49 percent, with 3,892 votes to 3,791 for McBath, with all 43 precincts reporting.

She had trailed in early results. But as the evening wore on, she increased her margins in East Cobb. McBath won the precincts indicated in dark red on the map at the right.

Abel won the precincts in dark green. Click here for more details and to scroll over each precinct result.

In November McBath will face Republican U.S. Rep Karen Handel.

UPDATED 9:50 P.M.:

The 6th Congressional District Democratic runoff is neck-and-neck, but it’s hard to tell how much of the overall vote has been counted. That’s because the Georgia Secretary of State’s office still has 0% of the overall vote counted in the district.

Lucy McBath of East Cobb leads Kevin Abel of Sandy Springs 50-49, by 31 votes (6,879 to 6,848).

In her home base of East Cobb, she leads Abel 57-42 with 42 percent of the precincts reporting.

McBath leads Abel by a slender margin in DeKalb of 51-49 with 53 percent of the precincts reporting. In Fulton, Abel leads 55-45 percent, but no precincts have fully reported.

Here’s the real-time link for updates.

UPDATED 8:40 P.M.:

Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle has just made his concession speech as Secretary of State Brian Kemp is en route to a landslide victory in the Republican runoff for Georgia governor.

With 45 percent of the votes counted, Kemp leads 68-32 percent statewide. Even in Cobb County, which was considered a battleground, Kemp leads easily, 55-45 percent, with 45 percent of the votes counted as well.

cobb advance voting, East Cobb election update

Here is the election results link from the Georgia Secretary of State’s office that will be updated in real-time. Here are Cobb-only results.

We will be updating this post throughout the evening and on our Facebook and Twitter channels.

Cagle and Kemp had been locked in a close battle as the runoff approached.

But President Donald Trump endorsed Kemp just a few days before the runoff, right after outgoing Gov. Nathan Deal backed Cagle. Tight polls gave way to a Kemp lead over the weekend, and Kemp cited the Trump factor in his victory speech to supporters in Athens.

Another issue that came up during the runoff campaign was the release of a secret audio recording of Cagle admitting he supported a bill regarding tax credits for private schools to hurt a primary opponent.

In the November general election, Kemp will face Democratic nominee Stacey Abrams of Atlanta. The former Georgia House Minority Leader, she is attempting to become the first black female governor of any state.

UPDATED 8:30 P.M.

With 33 percent of precincts reporting, Kemp leads Cagle 66-34 percent.

The first results from Cobb show that Kemp leads Cagle 60-40 with 24 percent of the vote counted.

Also on Tuesday’s ballot is a GOP runoff between Commissioner Bob Weatherford of District 1 in North Cobb and Keli Gambrill. With nearly 75 percent of the votes counted, Gambrill was leading 59-41 percent.

 

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Georgia runoff election Tuesday to decide GOP governor, 6th Congress Democratic nominees

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Georgia runoff election
Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle (L) and Secretary of State Brian Kemp have received endorsements from Gov. Nathan Deal and President Donald Trump, respectively.

Voters will pick nominees in several key statewide and Congressional races in the Georgia runoff election on Tuesday.

At the top of the ticket, Republican voters will select a gubernatorial nominee in what’s become a tumultuous runoff battle, as well as GOP nominees for lieutenant governor and secretary of state.

Democratic voters in the 6th Congressional District, which includes East Cobb, also will choose a nominee for the November general election.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Cobb Elections website has sample ballots, precinct addresses and information on how you can find your polling station.

In the GOP governor’s race, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle was enjoying a lead in most polls and received an endorsement last week from outgoing Gov. Nathan Deal. But then President Donald Trump endorsed Cagle’s opponent, Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp.

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Polls now have Kemp in the lead, although one of them indicates that nearly a quarter of likely voters remains undecided.

Trump’s endorsement of Kemp has generated national media attention.

Cobb is considered a battleground county, and Cagle and Kemp have campaigned here frequently. Two East Cobb lawmakers have come down on either side of the runoff. Cagle has the support of State Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick, while State. Rep. Sharon Cooper is backing Kemp.

The winner faces Democratic nominee Stacey Abrams, the former Georgia House Minority Leader, in November.

In the lieutenant governor Republican runoff, state senator David Shafer is facing Geoff Duncan, a former member of the state house.

In the 6th Congressional District Democratic runoff, gun-control advocate Lucy McBath, an East Cobb resident, is facing technology entrepreneur Kevin Abel of Sandy Springs.

The winner will face Republican U.S. Rep. Karen Handel in November.

One of the two seats on the Cobb Board of Commissioners that’s contested this year will be decided Tuesday. Incumbent Bob Weatherford is facing Keli Gambrill in the GOP runoff for District 1 in North Cobb.

Incumbent commissioner JoAnn Birrell of District 3 in Northeast Cobb won the Republican primary and is being challenged in November by Democrat Caroline Holko.

 

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Handel, Isakson react to Trump Russia comments at summit

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U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, Trump Russia comments
U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson

President Donald Trump sparked bipartisan criticism from members of Congress on Monday for his comments at a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

At a joint press conference in Helsinki, Trump defended Putin against claims of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential elections, and said the U.S. was equally to blame as Russia for poor relations between the two countries.

A number of prominent Republican lawmakers in Washington denounced Trump’s comments. U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona said the summit was “one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president in memory.”

U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, an East Cobb resident who is Georgia’s senior senator, sits on the Senate Intelligence Committee and issued the following statement late Monday afternoon:

U.S. Rep. Karen Handel, a Roswell Republican who represents East Cobb in Georgia’s Sixth Congressional District, is a member of the House Intelligence Committee. She released this statement on late Monday afternoon:

https://twitter.com/karenhandel/status/1018955241218330627

Georgia’s other senator, Republican David Perdue, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has not commented publicly on the matter.

Trump finished a week-long trip to Europe that included a visit to NATO headquarters in Brussels as well as Britain.

Even some long-standing supporters of Trump were concerned about the president’s comments. Former House Speaker and 6th District Congressman Newt Gingrich said Trump “must clarify his statements in Helsinki on our intelligence system and Putin. It is the most serious mistake of his presidency and must be corrected—immediately.”

 

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Cobb advance voting also takes place in East Cobb this week

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The final week of Cobb advance voting for the July 24 runoffs will include more locations  in the coming week, including the East Cobb Government Service Center (4400 Lower Roswell Road).

Voting hours are Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. East Cobb advance voting

On the ballot for East Cobb voters in particular is the 6th Congressional District Democratic runoff between Lucy McBath and Kevin Abel. The winner advances to face Republican U.S. Rep. Karen Handel in November.

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The top two statewide races also are up for runoff on the Republican side. For governor, it’s between current Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and sitting Secretary of State Brian Kemp.

Lieutentant governor candidates are Geoff Duncan and David Shafer. The GOP Secretary of State runoff features David Belle Isle and Brad Raffensperger.

You can view your sample ballot here. There’s more general runoff information about the runoff at the Cobb Elections website, including locations of precincts on runoff day that will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

 

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Congressional Black Caucus endorses Georgia 6th Congressional candidate Lucy McBath

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Georgia 6th Congressional candidate Lucy McBath has been endorsed by the Congressional Black Caucus Political Action Committee before her July 24 Democratic runoff against Kevin Abel.

McBath, an East Cobb resident, also has been endorsed by Emily’s list, which supports Democratic female Congressional candidates.

Here’s the endorsement message that McBath’s campaign is sending out today:Georgia 6th Congressional District candidate Lucy McBath

Congressman Gregory Meeks (NY-5), Chairman of the CBCPAC stated, “Lucy McBath’s story is an inspiration that resonates throughout this country. After tragically losing her son to gun violence in 2012, Lucy stood up and worked hard to protect other children from suffering the same fate, understanding firsthand how important it is that we enact sensible gun safety legislation.”

“Furthermore, as a two-time breast cancer survivor, Lucy understands the importance of having quality and affordable healthcare.” Meeks continued, “Lucy is a fighter, and now more than ever we need more fighters like her in Washington.”

 “The Congressional Black Caucus PAC is on the frontlines of the battle to protect the values we hold dear as Americans,” said Lucy McBath. “As the daughter of a former regional NAACP branch president, I understand the stakes could not be higher right now as many in Washington seek to turn back the clock and limit the rights that we have fought so hard for as Americans. I look forward to working with the CBCPAC and other representatives in Washington to fight for a more inclusive and prosperous future for all Americans.”

Abel, a Sandy Springs technology entrepreneur, has been endorsed by a number of Atlanta-area business and public officials and religious leaders.

He also has been critical of McBath for accepting what he calls “outside dark money” in campaign spending, in particular financial support from an organization called End Citizens United.

 

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Cobb advance voting underway Monday for July 24 runoff

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Starting Monday, Cobb advance voting for primary runoff races gets underway, and until July 20 you can do so only at the main Cobb Elections office in Marietta. There will be a week of advance voting that takes place July 16-20 at the East Cobb Government Service Center and other locations in the county.cobb advance voting

On the ballot for East Cobb voters is the 6th Congressional District Democratic runoff between Lucy McBath and Kevin Abel. The winner advances to face Republican U.S. Rep. Karen Handel in November.

The top two statewide races also are up for runoff on the Republican side. For governor, it’s between current Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and sitting Secretary of State Brian Kemp.

Lieutentant governor candidates are Geoff Duncan and David Shafer. The GOP Secretary of State runoff features David Belle Isle and Brad Raffensperger.

On the local level, the Cobb Board of Commissioners District 1 GOP runoff bears watching. Incumbent Bob Weatherford is being opposed by Keli Gambrill as commissioners are deliberating on budget matters.

The runoff date of July 24 would have coincided with the day commissioners were to adopt a fiscal year 2019 budget, but the budget meeting has been pushed back a day, to July 25.

Here’s more from Cobb Elections on advance voting information

If you voted a party ballot in the May Primary, you must vote the same party in the Runoff. If you did not vote in the Primary, you can still vote in the Runoff. Registered Cobb County voters can go to any advanced voting location:

For more information, call Cobb Elections at 770-528-2581. View your sample ballot at mvp.sos.ga.gov.

 

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Obituary: Beth Farokhi, founding member of East Cobb Democrats group, school board candidate

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Beth Farokhi, a founding member of the East Cobb Democratic Association and a former Cobb school board candidate from East Cobb, has died of ovarian cancer.Beth Farokhi

Over the weekend the Cobb County Democratic Party made the announcement. Farokhi, 70, had been living in Kennesaw and was involved in party activities on several levels.

In 2006, Farokhi received 43 percent of the vote in the Post 6 Cobb school board election in her campaign against Republican incumbent John Crooks. That seat is now held by Scott Sweeney.

Farokhi was a school teacher in Cobb and also ran for state superintendent of schools in 2010. She was a retired administator at the College of Education at Georgia State University. Her son, Amir Farokhi, is a member of the Atlanta City Council.

Here’s the message the county party was sharing Sunday:

Beth was one of the founding members of East Cobb Democratic Association, among her many, many activities in our community. She ran for the Cobb County School Board in 2006, achieving a record for door knocking, even though she did not win. In 2010, she ran for State Superintendent of Schools, traveling the length and corners of our state to spread her message and making many friends. Beth was a constant champion for schools and education and children, as well as for women’s equality. Beth was wife and mother, a professor of education, and officer in numerous organizations, but most of all we will remember Beth Farokhi as our friend, who always had a warm smile and kind word for everyone she met.

Per the AJC’s full obituary, following a private graveside service in her hometown of Augusta, a public memorial service is scheduled for July 7 at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta.

 

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U.S. Rep. Karen Handel spars with Congressman on House floor over detention camp tape

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U.S. Rep. Karen Handel on Friday shut down a colleague on the House floor as he played an audio recording of immigrant children being held at a detention camp near the Mexican border.

U.S. Rep. Karen Handel

(You can view the full video from the House floor at the bottom of this post).

At the end of a long week of national debate over President Donald Trump’s detention policies, California Democratic Congressman Ted Lieu began to play the recording, made by the news organization Pro Publica.

Lieu was denouncing a “zero tolerance” policy that separated children from their parents after illegal border crossings. Trump later signed an executive order allowing families to remain together in detention camps.

“If the Statue of Liberty could cry, she’d be crying today,” Lieu said in beginning his remarks, which frequently referenced the more than 2,300 children who’ve “been ripped away” from their parents in recent weeks.

Handel, the Roswell Republican whose Georgia 6th District includes East Cobb, was serving as Speaker Pro Tem. Shortly after the recording began, she ruled that Lieu had committed a “breach of quorum” for using an electronic device in the House chambers.

She said that violated Rule 17 of the House, but he continued.

“There is not a rule that says I cannot play sounds from the detention facility,” Lieu said, as the recording continued, and crying children could be heard.

Handel ordered him to stop several times, demanding that “the gentleman will suspend!” and pounding a gavel.

The recording continued for a few more moments, then Handel said that “the sergeant at arms will enforce the rules of decorum.”

Before that happened, Lieu yielded back his time, using a little more than five minutes of the 60 minutes allotted to him.

The House was to have voted on immigration legislation Friday but that has been delayed to next week. Trump has urged Congress to wait until after the November elections.

 

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U.S. Rep Karen Handel opposes new Trump tariffs on steel and aluminum

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U.S. Rep. Karen Handel is urging President Donald Trump to reconsider tariffs he imposed today against steel and aluminum imports from Canada, Mexico and European Union nations.

U.S. Rep. Karen Handel

The tariffs, which will go into effect Friday, will add a 25 percent duty to steel imports and a 10 percent duty to aluminum imports from some of the top trading partners of the U.S.

Handel, a Roswell Republican whose 6th Congressional District includes East Cobb, said while she supports Trump’s efforts to renegotiate trade deals, the decision announced Thursday “threatens to dampen” what she said was “recent progress” on the economy.

Handel was referring to Trump’s tax reform legislation that she vocally supported. In a series of messages on her official Twitter account, Handel said the tariffs “do not further the goal of fostering more equitable trade.”

Earlier this month she cautioned against the tariffs that came down today, urging a more “surgical” approach that would avoid retaliation.

https://twitter.com/RepKHandel/status/1002309297429196800

https://twitter.com/RepKHandel/status/1002309300256112641

https://twitter.com/RepKHandel/status/1002309302252601344

https://twitter.com/RepKHandel/status/1002309304056270849

https://twitter.com/RepKHandel/status/1002309305855627266

https://twitter.com/RepKHandel/status/1002309308669988864

Georgia’s two Republican U.S. Senators, Johnny Isakson of East Cobb and David Perdue of Macon, also do not support the latest tariffs. In March Trump issued similar tariffs on other nations, but exempted Canada, Mexico and the EU.

Isakson said the tariffs would hurt the auto industry, and Handel’s district includes the USA headquarters for Mercedes-Benz and other companies that could be adversely affected by Thursday’s decision.

Also coming out against the new tariffs is U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan, a Republican who is retiring from Congress after this year.

Handel, elected last year in a special election to succeed former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, is running for re-election in November for what would be her first full term. Her opponent will be Lucy McBath or Kevin Abel, who face off in a July 24 Democratic runoff.

Trump won the strongly Republican 6th District with only 51 percent of the vote in 2016. According to an analysis by the political website FiveThirtyEight, Handel has voted with Trump’s positions on major issues and legislation more than 87 percent of the time.

That does not include recent tariff impositions.

 

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East Cobb Elections Update: Primary results certified; precinct breakdowns

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East Cobb Election Update, JoAnn Birrell, Caroline Holko
Democrat Caroline Holko (right) got more votes than Republican incumbent JoAnn Birrell (left) in the Cobb Commission District 3 primary. But more GOP voters cast ballots in that race on May 22.

Here’s an East Cobb elections update, with official tallies from the Cobb Board of Elections and Registration, which this week certified the results of the May 22 primaries. We’ve provided the official numbers below of East Cobb-area races, but here are a few other figures of note:

  • A total of 84,284 Cobb voters cast ballots, a turnout of 17.8 percent of the 473,356 registered voters in the county;
  • More Cobb voters voted for Republican candidates at the top of the statewide ticket (governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, etc.) than for Democrats, but only by a slight margin, around 42,000 to around 41,000 on average.

Cobb Commission District 3

  • Caroline Holko (D): 5,767
  • JoAnn Birrell (R, incumbent): 5,634
  • Tom Cheek (R): 3,973
  • James Smith (D): 1,393

Cobb School Board Post 4

  • David Chastain (R, incumbent): 4,600
  • Cynthia Parr (D): 3,469

Cobb School Board Post 6

  • Scott Sweeney (R, incumbent): 4,844
  • Charisse Davis (D): 4,562

State Senate District 32

  • Kay Kirkpatrick (R, incumbent): 11,994
  • Christine Triebsch (D): 8,502

State House District 37

  • Sam Teasley (R, incumbent): 3,012
  • Mary Frances Williams (D): 1,964
  • Ragin Edwards (D): 514
  • Bill Bolton (D): 327

State House District 43

  • Sharon Cooper (R, incumbent): 3,034
  • Luisa Wakeman (D): 2,641

State House District 44

  • Don Parsons (R, incumbent): 2,953
  • Chinita Allen (D): 2,373
  • Homer Crothers (R): 760

State House District 45

  • Matt Dollar (R, incumbent): 3,834
  • Essence Johnson (D): 2,597

State House District 46

  • John Carson (R, incumbent): 2,788
  • Karín Sandiford (D): 1,881

U.S. House District 6

  • Karen Handel (R, incumbent): 13,996
  • Lucy McBath (D): 4,226
  • Kevin Abel (D): 3,019
  • Bobby Kaple (D): 2,762
  • Steven K. Griffin (D): 740

These are Cobb voting totals only; there will be a Democratic runoff on July 24 between McBath and Abel. There will be Republican runoff the same day in the governor’s race between current Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and current Secretary of State Brian Kemp.

The Cobb precinct-by-precinct voting totals can be found here. Several East Cobb precincts had higher than 20 percent turnout:

  • Addison, 23.4 percent;
  • Blackwell, 20 percent;
  • Chattahoochee, 20 percent;
  • Chestnut Ridge, 23 percent;
  • Dickerson, 23 percent;
  • Dodgen, 24 percent;
  • Davis, 21 percent;
  • Eastside 1, 25 percent
  • Eastside 2, 26.8 percent;
  • Elizabeth 2, 21 percent;
  • Elizabeth 3, 23.5 percent;
  • Elizabeth 5, 21 percent;
  • Fullers Park, 21.87 percent;
  • Garrison Mill, 23.64 percent;
  • Gritters, 20.23 percent;
  • Hightower, 22 percent;
  • Lassiter, 20 percent;
  • Mabry, 21.61 percent;
  • Murdock, 23 percent;
  • McCleskey, 24 percent;
  • Marietta 6B, 23 percent;
  • Mt. Bethel 1, 22.61 percent;
  • Mt. Bethel 3, 21.95 percent;
  • Mt. Bethel 4, 23.56 percent;
  • Pope, 20 percent;
  • Roswell 1, 22 percent;
  • Sandy Plains, 20 percent;
  • Shallowford Falls, 22.65 percent;
  • Sope Creek 1, 28.29 percent;
  • Sope Creek 3, 22.79 percent;
  • Timber Ridge, 23.84 percent;
  • Willeo, 23.21 percent.

 

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