GA state Senate candidate speaks to UGACRs

Georgia state Senate candidate Bill Cowsert spoke to the UGA College Republicans Wednesday night, addressing his personal history, his interest in politics, and some "core issues" which were near and dear to his heart.

Cowsert is an Athens-based litigator who is running in the state's 46th senate district, a seat currently occupied by Ag Commissioner candidate Brian Kemp. He opened by thanking the UGACRs for the forum, and commending them on their "statewide reputation for being a large, energetic chapter and getting involved and helping in campaigns."

“We feel great about this campaign,” he said, and “with your help I think we’ll do real well.”

Cowsert referred to himself as "a conservative," and said that the Republican party “best represents my principles.”

"I believe in a very limited role for government," he said. "Government should provide vital services, such as education, emergency services, and defense." Cowsert also called himself a "fiscal conservative," stating his opposition to "any increase in taxes." The state needs to "look for ways to cut spending, and to be more responsible with spending" he said.

Cowsert spoke of what he called "core issues and core values,” such as education, which he called the "basis of developing society." The state "currently spends over 1/2 of its budget on education," he said, and, while it is a high fiscal priority, the problems with the system can't be solved "just by throwing money at them." The answer, he maintained, is greater accountability and a bigger role for parents and teachers in the system. He did not favor vouchers, saying that it could end up "only benefiting the rich."

On the subject of the HOPE scholarship, Cowsert assured the UGACRs that the scholarship "will always be safe."

He also addressed health care (supporting more available, affordable coverage) and the environment. Cowsert bemoaned that the GOP often gets "the short end of the stick" on the environment, and reminded his audience that the Republican party created the EPA. He promised to stress issues of environmental stewardship and of environmental protection during his potential term in office.