Independent candidate in 115
In what should definitely be an interesting twist in the local political landscape, E.H. Culpepper announced today that he would be seeking the Georgia House seat for District 115. He'll be going up against Democrat Doug McKillip and Republican Regina Quick as an independent, meaning he has to garner roughly 1,200 signatures on a petition to gain access to the ballot.
And he's instantly got the most name recognition - as well as impressive resume - in the race ... something which doesn't happen often with independent candidates. He's the vice chair of the Georgia Rail Passenger Authority and development director of the Classic Center Authority. Plus he's racked up numerous civic awards, as well as considerable years of service to the community.
This should be pretty good ...
Here's the press release below:
E.H. Culpepper Launches Independent Candidacy For Georgia House Seat 115 with Petition Drive in Five Points
ATHENS, June 7 – Seeking to put years of political and civic service and deep statewide connections to work on behalf of the Classic City, Elijah H. “E.H.” Culpepper announced today that he is seeking a spot on the November General Election ballot as an independent candidate in Georgia House of Representatives District 115.
“I have one purpose in running: to help the Athens community immediately,” said Culpepper. “I have been a bridge builder my entire career, and Athens needs someone who can work across party lines to represent the diversity of our community while having the experience, credibility and relationships to make a difference under the Gold Dome.”
District 115 includes much of central and eastern Athens-Clarke County. Democrat Doug McKillip and Republican Regina Quick are the other announced candidates for the seat.
In order to earn a spot on the ballot, Culpepper must secure signatures from five percent of the registered voters in the district – approximately 1,200 individuals – by July 11. All nomination petitions must be notarized by a notary public. Only registered voters can sign the petitions, which are being circulated throughout the district.
“Just as most Athenians resist being labeled, I’m not interested in running as a Republican or Democrat,” says Culpepper. “Serving this district has nothing to do with party affiliation and everything to do with working with leaders in both parties to serve Athens and the University of Georgia.”
Culpepper will hold the first briefing with petition registrars tomorrow morning at 10:30 a.m. at 1730 South Lumpkin Street (in a tent in front of Appointments at Five), and will meet with interested media for a question and answer session at 11 a.m.
“I don’t believe we’ll have trouble getting the signatures,” says Culpepper. “My goal is to have 2,000 signatures by early July so we can begin campaigning in earnest.”
Added Culpepper, “I believe local voters are ready to see the city they love get the respect and attention it deserves under the Gold Dome. I’m not interested in launching a political career, building a resume, or furthering myself in any way. I just want to help this great city build on its strengths: the University of Georgia, a thriving downtown, a strong commitment to the environment, an entrepreneurial business community, a diverse population, and a hard-working, dedicated workforce.
I know where the right doors are in Atlanta, I know how to open them, and I know the people behind them. I want to be a problem solver – not a politician.”
Culpepper, a resident of Five Points, has a deep reservoir of community service. In his 48 years in the area, he has served on numerous state, regional, and local economic impact, transportation, and civic committees. He currently serves vice chair of the Georgia Rail Passenger Authority, chairman of the Georgia Bioscience Joint Development Authority, and is development director for the Classic Center Authority. He is also a partner in E.H. & Eye Catering, which is well known for its award-winning barbecue ribs. He has previously been a partner at Fortson, Bentley & Griffin and an officer at Clarke Federal Savings and Loan Association before its merger with Fulton Federal. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia law school.
Locally, Culpepper has received the 2005 Spirit of Athens award from the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce. He has chaired or been a board member of the Touchdown Club of Athens, the Chamber of Commerce, the Athens Country Club, Salvation Army, the Athens YWCO, and many other community organizations.
“There are serious challenges for this region, and we need to get to work on addressing them instead of focusing on partisan politics,” said Culpepper. “We need to maximize state support for the University of Georgia. We need to attract the jobs and opportunities that our citizens need and deserve. We need to leverage the world-class research of UGA to attract companies and jobs. We need to protect the unique character of Athens while providing opportunities for our citizens – this is not an ‘either/or’ proposition.”
And he's instantly got the most name recognition - as well as impressive resume - in the race ... something which doesn't happen often with independent candidates. He's the vice chair of the Georgia Rail Passenger Authority and development director of the Classic Center Authority. Plus he's racked up numerous civic awards, as well as considerable years of service to the community.
This should be pretty good ...
Here's the press release below:
E.H. Culpepper Launches Independent Candidacy For Georgia House Seat 115 with Petition Drive in Five Points
ATHENS, June 7 – Seeking to put years of political and civic service and deep statewide connections to work on behalf of the Classic City, Elijah H. “E.H.” Culpepper announced today that he is seeking a spot on the November General Election ballot as an independent candidate in Georgia House of Representatives District 115.
“I have one purpose in running: to help the Athens community immediately,” said Culpepper. “I have been a bridge builder my entire career, and Athens needs someone who can work across party lines to represent the diversity of our community while having the experience, credibility and relationships to make a difference under the Gold Dome.”
District 115 includes much of central and eastern Athens-Clarke County. Democrat Doug McKillip and Republican Regina Quick are the other announced candidates for the seat.
In order to earn a spot on the ballot, Culpepper must secure signatures from five percent of the registered voters in the district – approximately 1,200 individuals – by July 11. All nomination petitions must be notarized by a notary public. Only registered voters can sign the petitions, which are being circulated throughout the district.
“Just as most Athenians resist being labeled, I’m not interested in running as a Republican or Democrat,” says Culpepper. “Serving this district has nothing to do with party affiliation and everything to do with working with leaders in both parties to serve Athens and the University of Georgia.”
Culpepper will hold the first briefing with petition registrars tomorrow morning at 10:30 a.m. at 1730 South Lumpkin Street (in a tent in front of Appointments at Five), and will meet with interested media for a question and answer session at 11 a.m.
“I don’t believe we’ll have trouble getting the signatures,” says Culpepper. “My goal is to have 2,000 signatures by early July so we can begin campaigning in earnest.”
Added Culpepper, “I believe local voters are ready to see the city they love get the respect and attention it deserves under the Gold Dome. I’m not interested in launching a political career, building a resume, or furthering myself in any way. I just want to help this great city build on its strengths: the University of Georgia, a thriving downtown, a strong commitment to the environment, an entrepreneurial business community, a diverse population, and a hard-working, dedicated workforce.
I know where the right doors are in Atlanta, I know how to open them, and I know the people behind them. I want to be a problem solver – not a politician.”
Culpepper, a resident of Five Points, has a deep reservoir of community service. In his 48 years in the area, he has served on numerous state, regional, and local economic impact, transportation, and civic committees. He currently serves vice chair of the Georgia Rail Passenger Authority, chairman of the Georgia Bioscience Joint Development Authority, and is development director for the Classic Center Authority. He is also a partner in E.H. & Eye Catering, which is well known for its award-winning barbecue ribs. He has previously been a partner at Fortson, Bentley & Griffin and an officer at Clarke Federal Savings and Loan Association before its merger with Fulton Federal. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia law school.
Locally, Culpepper has received the 2005 Spirit of Athens award from the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce. He has chaired or been a board member of the Touchdown Club of Athens, the Chamber of Commerce, the Athens Country Club, Salvation Army, the Athens YWCO, and many other community organizations.
“There are serious challenges for this region, and we need to get to work on addressing them instead of focusing on partisan politics,” said Culpepper. “We need to maximize state support for the University of Georgia. We need to attract the jobs and opportunities that our citizens need and deserve. We need to leverage the world-class research of UGA to attract companies and jobs. We need to protect the unique character of Athens while providing opportunities for our citizens – this is not an ‘either/or’ proposition.”
posted by Jmac at 12:07 PM
3 Comments:
EH is a great candidate for Athens, and could bring a lot to the table in short order. Hope he can get the signatures.
Well, E.H. has some pretty ugly history and baggage with him - maybe some of y'all weren't around when he ran for Mayor but it was dirty, dirty stuff!
The other thing that makes me not at all excited about an independent is that politics is most definitely a team sport under the Gold Dome. I'm not too interested in having a rep that has no team to play on. Maybe we'd like to see that changed - maybe we'd all like to win the lottery, too. You've got a much better chance with the lottery.
Oh, he'd be a Republican. He must have just missed the qualifying date, and none of them wants to vote for Regina Quick.
When Culpepper ran for mayor (or CEO, as it was known then -- it was when the city and county were consolidating), he put out the most sleazy information possible about Gwen O'Looney, twisting any information he had about her into a right-wing tirade. I was there -- the campaign was beyond ugly and dirty, thanks to Culpepper. He's old Athens, and represents those people who owned the town and couldn't stand to see someone new, with new ideas, like Gwen take over. His group -- the country club set -- fought tooth and nail not to lose power, and they're still fighting. If it were up to them, the entire town would look like the Atlanta Highway out by the mall, except for the exclusive gated communities they live in, and we'd all be waiting on them out at the club.
This is just a brief quote from a brochure he mailed out to all registered voters during the mayoral campaign of 1990 (I save everything):
"Gwen O'Looney's spouse...lists one of his major credits as local president of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). In the South, we don't know too much about this organization, but what we do know doesn't sound like the values we want in our community, either directly or indirectly."
Notice "the South." Culpepper represents the planter class that has struggled to keep their power in the south for all these years. These are the same folks who kept poor blacks and poor whites in their place through racism. No matter how much he's "changed," if he has, Culpepper still has the same ol' buddies out at the club, and they're still plenty pissed that Athens has tried to become progressive.
Post a Comment
<< Home