The Cobb County Republican Party has new leadership.
Mary Clarice Hathaway, an insurance business owner and political activist in the Kennesaw area, was elected at the party’s election in late March.
She succeeds chairwoman Salleigh Grubbs, who was term-limited, after defeating challengers Sophia Farooq and Dr. Fun Fong.
Hathaway’s immediate priority is campaigning for Alicia Adams, the Republican nominee in the April 29 special election for District 2 on the Cobb Board of Commissioners.
Her larger task is revitalizing Republican politics countywide. After the 2024 elections, Democrats hold all countywide seats in Cobb County, from Commission Chairwoman down to State Court Clerk.
The GOP had dominated county government since the 1980s, but in 2020 the commission went from 4-1 Republican to 3-2 Democrat. Democrats also control the Cobb legislative delegation by one seat, while the GOP holds a 4-3 majority on the Cobb Board of Education.
Hathaway, who has six children and also is a grandmother of six, vowed to bring new energy across the county for Republican candidates.
“There are people whom I think if we had the right outreach and the right message, we could reach a lot of people who have previously been unreached,” she said at March candidate forum.
While Hathaway is new to Cobb GOP politics, said that “having a fresh perspective, a fresh set of eyes to solve problems is an asset.
“My goal is not to come in and take over anything. My goal is to steer and guide an organization . . . to get Cobb County trending red again.”
While East Cobb and North Cobb remain Republican strongholds, Hathaway said she wants to cultivate grassroots support even in South Cobb, which is dominated by Democrats.
“I’m not afraid to go anywhere,” she said. “Give me a shot.”
She was elected with a slate of officers that include her oldest son.
Jeff Hathaway Jr., an East Cobb resident, was voted first vice chair of the Cobb GOP. He and his wife have three children who attend Mt. Bethel Elementary School.
Another East Cobb resident, Arielle Kurtz, was voted Cobb GOP secretary, and was involved in John Cristadoro’s recent election to the Cobb school board.
The treasurer is Scott Brandenberg and the assistant treasurer is Skyler Atkins of Smyrna, a national board member of Log Cabin Republicans, which represents gay and lesbian Republicans.
The Cobb GOP will have its first monthly breakfast with the new leadership Saturday at 8:30 a.m. at the Taco Mac on 2650 Dallas Highway.
Related:
- Allen defeats Howard in Cobb commission Democratic runoff
- Democratic runoff set in Cobb Commission District 2 special election
- Richardson removed from office after appeals court rejection
- Richardson resumes seat as Cobb commission drama continues
- Richardson’s Cobb commission seat declared vacant by judge
- MORE: Visit the East Cobb News Politics & Elections Page
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