October 12, 2020
By:
DeKalb County Republican Party Chairman Dustin Estes is weighing in on behalf of the party to decisions by County Clerk James L. (Jimmy) Poss and 5th District County Commissioner Anita Puckett to leave the Democratic Party.
In an announcement last week, Poss said he is joining the Republican Party while Puckett, in a statement released today (Monday) has not announced whether she will become a Republican or an Independent.
Estes’ issued the following statement this morning (Monday).
“We want to acknowledge the recent news of DeKalb County Clerk James L “Jimmy” Poss and County Commissioner Anita Puckett leaving the Democrat Party. Mr. Poss has indicated that he plans to run for reelection as a Republican, while Mrs. Puckett has not made a decision yet”.
“ We know Mr. Poss and Mrs. Puckett did not make this decision in haste, but after prayerful consideration and discussion with their closest family and friends. Their decision took courage, and they are to be commended for making their decision publicly, well in advance of the 2022 DeKalb County Elections,” said Estes.
“Mr. Poss and Mrs. Puckett are distinguished elected officials, and their decisions should be respected by all DeKalb County citizens, regardless of political affiliation. We appreciate the job that they do every day to serve our county. If and when Mr. Poss and Mrs. Puckett run as Republicans, they will do so in the same manner as all DeKalb County Republican candidates. They will stand for election in either a caucus or primary in early 2022, and if successful, represent the Republican Party on the DeKalb County General Election Ballot on Aug. 4, 2022”.
“Mr. Poss’ and Mrs. Puckett’s decision is the latest in a long line of DeKalb County citizens who have become Republicans over the past few years”.
“Here are some key facts that prove this point. In November 2008, Barack Obama received 2,832 votes in DeKalb County. In November 2016, Hillary Clinton received 1,569 votes. So, from 2008 to 2016, Democrat votes declined by 1,263. By contrast, in November 2008, John McCain received 4,085 votes in DeKalb County. In November 2016, Donald Trump received 5,171 votes. So, from 2008 to 2016, Republican votes increased by 1,086. As further evidence, DeKalb County Republicans have won ALL contested countywide elections since 2014, including the most recent countywide contested election where Republican Shannon Cantrell won nearly 70% of the vote and all 15 precincts in the county. Why are people switching to the Republican Party in DeKalb County? There are many reasons, but to put it simply, the Republican Party represents their conservative values. We believe in God, and His all surrounding presence in our daily lives. We believe in the power of prayer. We are pro-life and oppose abortion. We believe in lower taxes and less government regulation. We are strong supporters of the 2nd Amendment. We strongly support our law enforcement and first responders. We believe in individual liberty and value our freedoms”.
“DeKalb County used to be home to a number of Conservative Democrats. Well, there is no such thing as a Conservative Democrat anymore. The radical left has taken over the Democrat Party, bringing with them their socialist ideology. Whether it’s defunding the police, supporting rioters and looters, the Green New Deal, slave reparations, granting statehood to Puerto Rico and Washington DC, or raising taxes on hard working Americans, they will not stop until their most radical policies are adopted. If you think these radical issues are not alive and well in DeKalb County, you are mistaken. Just a few months ago, there was a movement at the DeKalb County Commission to defund the police and at the corner of Broad and Congress, Black Lives Matter protestors made their presence known. But we, as DeKalb County Republicans, will not rest on our past successes,” said Estes.
“Our mission is simple: elect Republicans. DeKalb County has 8 countywide elected offices with 6 of them now filled with Republicans. And in 2022, we will be working vigorously to elect a Republican to those remaining 2 offices, as well as all 7 County Commission Districts. But for now, let’s reelect President Trump and Vice-President Pence, send Bill Hagerty to the US Senate, reelect John Rose to Congress, and send Terri Lynn Weaver and Clark Boyd back to Nashville for another term as our State Representatives. Early Voting is Oct. 14-29 and Election Day is Nov. 3,” Estes concluded.