State Sen. Casey Cagle addresses GACR convention

Georgia State Senator Casey Cagle, finance committee chairman and candidate for Lieutenant Governor, made a heartfelt address to an emotional audience at the Georgia Association of College Republicans annual convention Saturday, touting his record in the General Assembly, making a strong case for his candidacy, and speaking very bluntly about the differences between him and his primary opponent, Dr. Ralph Reed.

Senator Cagle opened by speaking of the "future hopes and opportunities" embodied by the students in the room, and touched on his own political background, beginning with a successful run for state Senate at age 28 and continuing through now, his 12th year in the legislature.

Cagle spoke of the "positive things for this state" that the General Assembly was actively doing, and touched on his own motivation for running for Lt. Governor--a candidacy which was sparked by his own colleagues' request for him to stay in state government as his self-imposed term limit of 12 years neared completion.

Senator Cagle showed visible passion for his subject matter as he spoke of the heartfelt support he has received from volunteers and donors, even as he was limited by in-session fundraising laws and his opponent was not.

"I am excited about the future of Georgia," exulted Cagle, who went on to say that the Lt. Governor position was "too important to elect someone who needs on-the-job training." The Lt. Governor "presides over the Senate, and has always been elected from within the legislature," he explained, pointing out that, as he "bring[s] to the table 12 years of service in the legislature," he wouldn't "have to be taught." He also mentioned that his opponent, who he never referred to by name, was "asked by 21 Senators to withdraw from the race," and emphasized that the winner of this race would have to be able to lead this body and to build consensus, openly questioning whether his opponent could possibly function in such a position with so little support from the legislature.

Senator Cagle encouraged his audience to "look at the future," and touted the last 3 years of Republican leadership in the legislature, saying he was "proud to have accomplished things they accomplished," such as "[changing] the entire business income tax structure, [cutting] $1 billion in state spending, and [returning] $2 billion to taxpayers." He also mentioned the successful Land Conservation Act, which "provided more greenspace and an incentive to keep it" that way, the passage of tort reform, increased spending on High School completion counselors, the state's AAA bond rating, and the Women's Right to Know bill, maintaining that "conservative values are at the forefront in the legislature."

In response to a question from UGACR member Matthew Williamson, Senator Cagle said that passage of the HOPE Chest amendment, intended to guarantee the channeling of lottery proceeds into college and pre-K programs, was "absolutely necessary," saying that the legislature "must make sure that HOPE is alive and well for every citizen in this state," and emphasizing that government "can't spend the HOPE fund on things other than what it was intended for." Cagle said that he was "confident that, at the end of the day, [the bill] will pass."

Cagle spoke of his goals as Lt. Governor, citing the need to "create more economic opportunities for Georgia," but pointing out that "government does not create jobs, but does create the infrastructure for jobs and businesses to be successful." On the subject of education, Cagle talked about the need to remove the "bureacracy that ties hands of every teacher and administrator in our schools, and allow them to work for what’s best for child." He took a hard line on illegal immigration and on law-enforcement, saying that the government had a solemn duty to "make sure that Georgians are safe from crime and disaster, that local law enforcement can keep criminals behind bars" (including increasing spending to help solve jail overcrowdedness), and to "make sure the people of Georgia feel safe." He vowed to "continue to protect Georgia family values," again citing his "record of 12 years that holds true" to this claim, including receiving the "highest ratings from Georgia Right to Life, the Christian Coalition," and other organizations. "I was raised by single mom," he said, "who never took governmental assistance. She instilled in me the values and hard work" necessary to continue fighting for the conservative cause.

Senator Cagle's speech evoked a strong reaction from the audience, with many teary-eyed attendees giving him a standing ovation as he concluded his address and exited the hall.