16/10/2023
PUBLIC STATEMENT FROM Jackie Harling, Walker County GOP Chairman, Regarding the Georgia Senate Republicans'
Indefinite Caucus Suspension of Senator Colton Moore
October 9, 2023
The Chairman of the Walker County Republican Party, residing in Senate District 53 and represented by Senator Colton Moore, strongly condemns the decision on September 28, 2023 to indefinitely suspend Senator Moore from the Georgia Senate Republican Caucus.
As we are at an inflection point in this country’s future, there is agreement in principle with the Georgia Senate Majority Caucus’ statement that we are stronger when unified. However, it was very disheartening to learn that the leadership of the Georgia Senate Republican Caucus suspended Senator Colton Moore, for standing up for conservative beliefs within his First Amendment rights, fighting to ensure that attorneys preserve client-attorney privileges, and for we as Americans, to maintain the right to legally challenge an election. Senator Moore stood up for the majority of Georgians that feel the Fulton County indictments were politically motivated and without merit. While our First Amendment rights gives all of the Senate Leadership members a voice to express their opinions, it seems counter intuitive to the widely held belief that the GOP is the greatest defender of Constitutional freedoms, to punish their fellow Republican Senator for standing up for his conservative viewpoint and for representing the will of his constituents. It is time that we practice the words that we preach and truly stand together to protect our freedoms.
This step the caucus has taken in an attempt to silence Senator Moore is made even more divisive by the fact that neither the vote record nor the specific details of his removal have been made available to the public. I want to know which senators voted to suspend Senator Moore and exactly what rules are claimed to have been broken.
This action has also punished my district by removing my rightful representation within the caucus. Their unity claim only goes one way, and never seems to move in the direction of transparency or a willingness of elected legislators to listen and act upon their constituents' requests.
I fully support Senator Moore’s call for a special session and greatly appreciate his representation of District 53. I am asking the Senate Republican Caucus to immediately reinstate Senator Moore. I do not expect everyone to agree with Senator Moore’s words and/or actions, but in our Constitutional Republic, I DO EXPECT everyone’s First Amendment rights to trump ALL dissenting opinions.
Everyone is looking at Georgia. We, as Republicans must unite to win in 2024. A house divided cannot stand, but it will also fail if built on a foundation of silencing those with which we do not agree. Freedom of speech is the bedrock of our nation, and I ask that you correct this injustice so we may support each other to victory, for the salvation of our state and beloved country, in which we are blessed to live.
14th District GOP of Georgia
Catoosa County Republican Party
DeKalb GOP
Marci McCarthy, DeKalb GOP Chairman