Category: Uncategorized

Dr. Rick Townsend Qualifies For Office

Posted on by Glynn GOP in Uncategorized

Rick Townsend is a first-time candidate for State House District 179. He is a small business owner and has a vast amount of experience in the education field. Rick is a small business owner (Rick Townsend & Associates) which works with schools, organizations, career academies, and technical colleges on workforce development, soft skills training for students, grants, professional development and coaching.

Rick’s career in education spanned three decades. In Glynn County, he served as CEO of the Golden Isles College & Career Academy for approximately 10 years. Rick has also served as a teacher, coach, principal, and superintendent. His career includes working with all levels pre-kindergarten through twelfth, rural to suburban, and economically disadvantaged to wealthier systems around the State of Georgia. 

Rick is a graduate of Reinhardt College, the University of Georgia, and the State University of West Georgia. He completed his requirements for a Doctor of Education in School Improvement from the State University of West Georgia.

Rick is a past member of many professional organizations including the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders, Georgia School Superintendents Association, and Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. He was selected for the Georgia Leadership Academy’s Institute for New Leaders and the Superintendents Professional Development Program, a two-year executive level program. He has also participated in the Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement, the Georgia School Superintendents Association Human Resources Institute and was inducted into the Phi Delta Kappa educational honor society. He also represented Glynn County as a participant in Leadership Southeast Georgia. 

Rick has served, been a member, or volunteered for community organizations such as Kiwanis, Rotary, Lions Club, Boy Scouts, United Way, Morningstar, and the Brunswick Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce. In Kiwanis, organized Kiwanis Read Across GA Day. He currently serves as Chair of Club Growth for GA Kiwanis and is a member of the Kiwanis International Committee for Club Excellence, USA 2.  

Rick’s wife Carolyn is a retired elementary and math teacher. Rick and Carolyn have three daughters Haley, Emily, and Molly.

David Sweat Qualifies For Glynn County Commissioner District 4

Posted on by Glynn GOP in Uncategorized

Local retired banking professional David Sweat has announced his campaign for the Fourth District, Glynn County Commission seat.

The post is currently held by Republican Bill Brunson, who earlier this year said he would not seek reelection, after serving two terms. 

Sweat will be running as a Republican. Early voting in the primary will begin May 2nd. 

Sweat has served in leadership roles in civic and professional organizations, including the Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce, Brunswick Rotary Club, College of Coastal Georgia Board of Trustees, Glynn County Sports Hall of Fame Board of Directors, Rome Jaycees, Exchange Club, Kiwanis, and the Cobb County Chamber of Commerce. This marks his first attempt for elected public office. 

Sweat is a Brunswick native, growing up within the boundaries of District 4, attending schools located in that district, and living a total of 40 years as a primary resident of Glynn County. A member of Brunswick High School’s 1975 graduating class, Sweat attended Brunswick Junior College (predecessor of College of Coastal Georgia), after which he earned degrees in Banking and Finance from the Terry College of Business of the University of Georgia, lettering in Baseball at UGA. As a banking professional, he graduated from the Stonier Graduate School of Banking, Leadership Glynn, Leadership Cobb, and Leadership Floyd.

In early years, Sweat worked as part of a family -owned business located in Glynn County. Most of his banking career was focused on working with small business owners. Later, as a federal banking regulator, he was named as a Subject Matter Expert in Small Business Administration Lending and Trust department reviews. Over a banking career spanning 42 years, Sweat has been employed in both private and public sectors. “My heart is in this community and I would like to transition my experience and make a positive impact on the Glynn County Commission,” Sweat said.

As a volunteer, Sweat has expanded Brunswick High School Alumni networks.  In 2009, he created the social media group BHS Graduates of the ‘70s. During 2021, Sweat spearheaded the founding of the BHS Soul Survivors group to better network former BHS football players, while also offering hot meals to current players in season after weekday practices conclude and other nutritional support. He serves as a Mentor for the Art and Lindee Lucas Center for Entrepreneurship at the College of Coastal Georgia. He is actively engaged with the Goodyear Park Neighborhood Planning Association. 

A member of First United Methodist Church of Brunswick, Sweat is father to both a grown daughter and son, and is looking forward to the nuptials of each that are planned for 2022.

Jeff Jones Qualifies For State Office

Posted on by Glynn GOP in Uncategorized

Jeff Jones qualified for State Senate District 3.

Jeff is President/General Manager of J&L Coastal Holdings LLC, a car wash company he and wife Lisa founded in 2018. In early 2018, Jeff and Lisa sold Express Lube & Car Wash, a successful small business they owned and operated in Glynn County for over 23 years.

Jeff and Lisa moved to Glynn County in 1992 when Jeff joined ABC Home Health as its Vice President of Human Resources. Over his 20-year corporate career, Jeff served in Senior Corporate positions with KinderCare Learning Centers, Illinois Tool Works, Dillard Department Stores and Zale Corporation.

Jeff served four years as Board Chair for Safe Harbor Children’s Center, having served for 15 years on their board. Jeff also served on the boards for St. Simons Christian School; the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Red Cross. The Jones’ are active members with the First Baptist Church in Brunswick, their home church.

Jeff & Lisa are active supporters of Habitat for Humanity; the SkyLark sexual health ministry; the Gathering Place and Children-in-Action youth ministries plus many other local charities.

Jeff & Lisa, married for over 33 years, have one son, Brant, who is working on his Master’s Degree from the University of Kentucky.

CONTACT:

Jeff Jones

 139-358 Altama Connector

Brunswick, Georgia 31525

(912) 269-9108

Nora Haynes Qualifies for State Senate District 3

Posted on by Glynn GOP in Uncategorized

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 1, 2022

CONSERVATIVE EDUCATOR NORA LOTT HAYNES ANNOUNCES CAMPAIGN FOR STATE SENATE DISTRICT 3

Conservative educator and mental health reform advocate, Nora Lott Haynes, announced today that she will run for the Senate District 3 seat currently held by Sheila McNeill. Senator McNeill announced last week that she will not seek re-election. District 3 includes Brantley, Camden, Charlton, Glynn, McIntosh and part of Ware Counties. 

“I am excited to announce my campaign for State Senate,” said Haynes. “I truly love Southeast Georgia, its people, and our shared conservative values. I am running because Senate District 3 deserves the very best – a strong conservative leader that will fight like hell to protect our values and preserve our way of life.

“I am no stranger to politics and I have fought relentlesslyfor those who need a voice. As an educator, I taught students with physical and mental disabilities and worked with the Georgia Department of Education to improve special education programs throughout our state. As the mother of an adult child who suffers from severe mental illness, I have devoted my life fighting for reform of Georgia’s broken mental health system. I have spent countless hours helping other families like mine find the resources and help they need to provide for their loved ones.

“Now more than ever, we need a proven fighter at the State Capitol to deliver for the people of Senate District 3. I am ready to take my passion for Southeast Georgia to the Legislature in order to implement reforms to our mental health system and to stop the radical left dead in their tracks. We are in the fight of our lives against those who want to force their radical ideologies on our children, silence conservatives, defund the police, take our guns, and make it easier to cheat in our elections. I will NOT let it stand. I’ll fight tooth and nail to protect our values, grow opportunity here at home, preserve our quality of life, and secure a strong future. I look forward to working hard to earn the trust and support of the people of this district. With your vote, I will serve as an unapologetic conservative fighter you can trust.” 

About Nora Lott Haynes   

Nora Lott Haynes is a proud product of Senate District 3. Born and raised in Ware County, Nora’s family has deeproots across the district that spans generations. 

An educator, Nora began her career in Ware County Schools where she worked as a Special Education teacher, an administrator, and a researcher where she oversaw several research projects. She later went on to the Georgia Department of Education where she worked as the Reading First Special Education Specialist. 

As the mother to an adult child with serious mental illness, Nora has been a tireless advocate, researcher, and leader for mental health reform in Georgia. Along with former GBI director Vernon Keenan, she helped found the Georgia Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program. She served as President of the National Alliance on Mental Illness Georgia, served as chair of public policy – and wasthe Director of the Opening Doors to Recovery, a mental health research project which is now evidence based. She was appointed by Governor Brian Kemp in 2019 to serve on the Georgia Behavioral Health Reform and Innovation Commission. An accomplished researcher, Nora has been published in numerous publications. 

Nora received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Orthopedically Handicapped from the University ofGeorgia, a Masters degree in Behavioral Disorders, and an Education Specialist Degree in Leadership from Valdosta State University. 

Nora is the mother of two children, Joey and Camie, a son-in-law Charles Russo, and has one grandson, Costa. She and her husband, Greg reside on Saint Simons Island.

Cody Smith Qualifies For Georgia House District 180

Posted on by Glynn GOP in Uncategorized

For Immediate Release
Friday, March 11, 2022
Cody Smith qualifies for Georgia House
Cody Smith, a small business owner and lifelong resident of Camden County, qualified for
Georgia’s House District 180 on Thursday 03/10/22.
“It is important to have a Representative in the Georgia Legislature that actively listens and is responsive to the communities they serve.” Said Smith. “ I don’t believe District 180 has been getting the attention it is owed and should I be elected that is going to change, the will of the electorate will always come first. My door will always be open and every email or phone call will be returned.”
Smith graduated from Camden County High School in 2012 and worked in the hospitality/
service industry until starting his own business in 2016. He moved back to Camden from
Washington, DC in 2018 to open his first brick and mortar location in his hometown of St.
Marys, GA. Since then, he has created jobs and grown his business into one of the largest
industrial hemp retailers along Georgia’s coast with locations in St. Marys, Brunswick, and
Savannah; all while pumping significant sales tax revenue back into the communities where
they operate. Smith began attending the College of Coastal Georgia in the fall of 2019 and is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Public Policy. He has also had the privilege and pleasure of serving State Senator Sheila McNeill and her constituents as a Legislative Researcher and
Political Aide throughout her tenure. He has served as the 1st and 2nd Vice Chair of the Camden County Republican Party, Vice Chair of Precinct Development for the Camden County Republican Party, and District Secretary of Georgia’s First Congressional District Republican Party. Smith is also an auxiliary member of the Coastal Republican Women’s Club, the Camden County Republican Women’s Club, a Constitutional level sponsor of the Glynn County Republican Party, and a member of the Camden and Glynn Chamber of Commerce.
“I am running to serve as a proactive advocate for the citizens of Camden and Glynn, to
protect our precious natural resources, to promote educational opportunities and workforce
development, to encourage responsible and sustainable growth, to explore affordable housing solutions for Georgia families, to uphold and defend our Constitutional rights, to support our law enforcement professionals and first responders, and to lower the income tax burden for hardworking Georgians.” said Smith.
Cody Smith is a champion for conservative values, community, limited government, small
businesses, and the American dream.
Georgia’s House District 180 includes all of Camden County and a southern portion of Glynn County.
Media Contact:
Cody Smith
Tel: (912)-342-0132
Email: info@CodyForGA.com

Website: http://www.CodyForGA.com