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Clay Cox jumps into 7th CD race, demands that Don Balfour give up Senate chairmanship

11:10 am March 3, 2010, by jgalloway

Updated at 12:30 p.m. with comments from Clay Cox.

State Rep. Clay Cox of Lilburn just made his formal entry into the 7th District race to replace U.S. Rep. John Linder.

And in doing so, he took direct aim at state Sen. Don Balfour (R-Snellville), who jumped into the race on Monday.

We’re told that, at the Lilburn city hall with supporters, Cox said he had voluntarily resigned his chairmanship of the House Human Relations and Aging Committee. One could say that Cox was simply complying with a new policy laid down by Speaker David Ralston — that House members running for other offices shouldn’t be able to use their committee chairmanships as battering rams for fund-raising.

But that’s not the point here.

Cox noted that Balfour is chairman of the all-powerful Senate Rules Committee, and demanded that he give up his chairmanship, too.

After the event, Cox checked in by phone. “It is a conflict of interest to hold legislation sponsored by people or groups whose support you want in a congressional race,” he said. “That’s multiplied a hundredfold for Don.”

Because the Senate Rules Committee controls the flow of bills to the chamber floor for final votes.

Added Cox: I’m sure [Balfour] will have the same integrity and make the right decision.”

Cox also noted that Balfour entered the race, by phone, from Egypt, where he was delivering an address on education. Balfour is president of the National Conference of State Legislatures. At his Lilburn rally, Cox dismissed the trip as a “junket.”

He backed off that particular word in our conversation. Cox said his point was that, given the condition of the state budget, this isn’t the time for out-of-country trips of any kind. “We ought to have our state legislators in town right now,” Cox said.

Cox has already made one run for a congressional seat, in 2002, against Democrat David Scott. He was elected to the state House in 2004.

This time, Cox has proclaimed himself the candidate of the tea party movement. He already has strong ties with the GOP’s conservative Christian base.

Considering that, Cox’s entry into the contest could make it less likely that former GOP chairman Ralph Reed will take the plunge.

Immediately upon Cox’s entry into the congressional race, Lilburn resident and GOP political strategist Travis Bowden announced his candidacy for Cox’s state House seat.

For instant updates, follow me on Twitter.

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34 comments Add your comment

Republican legislator

March 3rd, 2010
11:19 am

NO CLAY COX FOR CONGRESS

The General

March 3rd, 2010
11:29 am

@ Republican legislator (and knowledgeable 7th Congressional District voters) Clay Cox should definitely be elected over Balfour for this seat.

Concerned

March 3rd, 2010
11:30 am

No Clay Cox…No Clay Cox…NO Clay Cox… We can do much, much better.

The General

March 3rd, 2010
11:31 am

@ Concerned

Names please

Concerned

March 3rd, 2010
11:34 am

Just about anybody.

Rosemary

March 3rd, 2010
11:41 am

The person to follow John Linder, is Walton County businessman Tom Kirby. He announced his campaign last Friday before John retired. His Contract with the People clearly shows that he understands what needs to be done in Washington. It is time for Georgia’s 7th district to take the lead and say no to politicians and no to politics as usual. Check out Tom’s web site at http://www.tomkirby2010.com/

And Good ole boy Jim Galloway has been told of Tom’s campaign numerous times but he does not seem to be interested about someone not in the Club.

The General

March 3rd, 2010
11:47 am

@ Rosemary

Nice plug for your hubby!

Dawg In Exile

March 3rd, 2010
11:51 am

Travis Bowden will be a great successor for the House District 102 seat. He deserves our full support!!

Josh

March 3rd, 2010
11:51 am

I pray that the Honorable Rep. Rice jumps in. Tom is the true fiscal conservative in this field who will fight for Georgia’s families and for freedom of religion. I love Tom and I think the 7th will love him too.

Red

March 3rd, 2010
11:54 am

Kirby couldn’t even get elected to county commission. When a guy with as much baggage as Bagley has beats out Kirby, it speaks volumes.

The General

March 3rd, 2010
11:57 am

@ Josh

I’ve got nothing against Rice, but ‘fight for freedom of religion’? Where’d that come from? I think you’re a few centuries late and a dollar short with that canard.

Base

March 3rd, 2010
12:39 pm

Wackos at work!

LILBURN LADY

March 3rd, 2010
12:54 pm

I have heard great things about Travis Bowden from Dr. Cindye Coates, whom I hold in very high regard. I am sure we will be well represented by Mr. Bowden. Although he is a younger man, he has much experience in the House as the legislative aid to the honorable Melvin Everson, who is now running for Labor Commissioner. Dr. Coates and Rep. Everson are both tremendous community leaders and ministers. I am confident Travis Bowden keeps very good company and for that he has my full support.

C3ATL

March 3rd, 2010
12:55 pm

@ The General http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2009_10/fulltext/hb33.htm

Tom Rice is pushing a new bill called Anti-Religious Discrimination act, so that we can add YET ANOTHER layer of watchdog government to our schools. He wants to ” ensure that relgion is allowed in school as a valid ideology without suffering punishment or retribution from schools or teachers. Part of that bill says he wants to create a Gestapo-like “upper-class-men” movement whereby ONLY older children are allowed to form Religious clubs and organizations in the school. The bill even goes as far as pointing out that only recognized leaders of the school, such as football quarterbacks or other ” neutral ” well known persons should be allowed to organize these events and be responsible for their activities. It also says there is to be no interaction from school authority or teachers. You know, kinda like what Hitler did with the “youth patriot movement.” Just imagine what the watchdog would look like when a student writes a 4 page paper describing their religious views in a science paper, only to fail because it has nothing to do with the curriculum of the class. That student gets offended and sues the school for discrimination… This sounds more and more like the Taliban everyday. Now Ralph Reed, the Christian Conservative himself wants to help further this agenda. Gwinnett is in real trouble and better look for other alternatives FAST. Tom Rice = More government, more taxes.

The General

March 3rd, 2010
1:25 pm

@ C3ATL

Thanks for the link. I skimmed through the bill and will study it some more. I can’t wait for the Wiccan student to do their thing with it! That’ll send the religious right zealots into a tizzy! Have you any idea if this goofy bill has any traction?

The General

Gwinnett Voter

March 3rd, 2010
1:38 pm

I think Clay Cox would make a great US Congressman. I have know Clay for years and although I have not always agreed with him, I have always respected his values and conservative policies.

C3ATL

March 3rd, 2010
2:09 pm

@ The General. The bill is in its SECOND READ, meaning they are still mulling over the details. Rice introduced this BOONDOGGLE bill last year, only to see it fail. You can rest assured that Ralph Reed helped him write this bill… I, like you, am waiting to see what happens when the Church of Scientology comes in, forms a group and charges to be a part of it… LOL! That’ll spin their heads like skulls on a pike! The thing is, this is all an under-cover rail against the GLBT community, we all know it, and we also know that if a Muslim group forms, its GAME OVER…

Here is the tracker… http://ga.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2009_10/sum/hb33.htm

Can you imagine? Thats just what we need more of in Georgia, More Republican Conservative Religious zealouts trying to convince us that the reason the budget they have overseen for 8 years is 1 billion dollars in the hole, is because of Religious Discrimination and the “Gays.”

It’s time to take Georgia back and turn it… these maroons are Stuck on STUPID!!

Keith

March 3rd, 2010
2:50 pm

Balfour forgets there are several GOP insiders who know about his personal escapades and this stuff will be hanging over his head ready to drop at the most inopportune time.

Frustrated

March 3rd, 2010
2:53 pm

The first article announcing that Clay Cox is running for Linder’s seat and he is already mud slinging and on the offensive. When is it going to stop? Instead of worrying about what everyone else is doing, why doesn’t Cox start focusing on his own upcoming campaign? As a Lilburn resident I’m disgusted. I’m interested in seeing what Balfour’s response to this will be. I hope that at least ONE of the candidates can be above board and will keep some sense of civility in the upcoming elections.

The General

March 3rd, 2010
3:00 pm

@ Keith

Will the info regarding Balfour’s ‘escapades’ drop in time to trip him up for his run at Linder’s seat? Please say yes…

The General

The General

March 3rd, 2010
3:09 pm

@ C3ATL

Putting a stop to the persecution of Christians is vital to not only the economy of our state, but its educational progress as well. This, and gays destroyed Glenn Richardson’s marriage.

Surely I jest,

The General

Josh

March 3rd, 2010
4:24 pm

@C3ATL The majority of folks in GA District 51 and US Congressional District 7 are GOD-fearing fiscal conservatives who love Rep. Tom Rice, Sen. Don Balfour, Rep. Clay Cox and Ralph Reed. If you don’t like our district, then move to Taxachusetts or Vermont where you may live in sin, pay higher taxes and remain a bloodsucker of the federal government. Rep. Rice’s freedom of religion bill is common sense conservatism that has saved this nation from tyranny! Rep. Rice can bring those same values to Washington. We are a nation founded on Christian principles. Just looks at the Constitution and the lives of our founding fathers.

Shar

March 3rd, 2010
6:00 pm

Josh, how will you feel about the “freedom of religion” bill if a Muslim group demands parity in funding and access?

It does not matter what religious beliefs the Founders had. Most of them had beliefs regarding the status of women and the legality of slavery that the majority of Americans would find unsupportable now. Regardless, the Founders’ chief wisdom was in creating a flexible document that would transcend their own personal beliefs and help to grow a civilization based on the rule of law and the fundamental rights outlined in the Constitution. “Freedom of religion” is included; cobbling Christianity (or any other religion) onto the legal framework of the state is prohibited.

Your “Christian principles” are the next guy’s “rules of the crazy Sky Guy.” Neither of you is right and neither is wrong, but neither of you can impose your ideas on anyone else.

The Founders said so.

Ralph Reed Supporter

March 3rd, 2010
6:18 pm

Ralph Reed is the only true conservative who needs to be in this race. Ralph knows that America is a Christian nation and that the time has come to outlaw the false religions like the Muslim terrorists. Our founders created America to be a nation of Christians, not unbelievers. Ralph Reed will serve our God in Congress, and he will shut down the liberals and take this nation back for Jesus Christ. May the favor of our Lord lift up Ralph Reed and bring victory to the kingdom through his service and his election to Congress.

Josh

March 3rd, 2010
6:39 pm

You’re beyond right @RalphReedSupporter I love Ralph as a brother, but I wonder of the fire is in his belly. Someone should create a Draft Ralph web site.

David

March 3rd, 2010
7:00 pm

Man. Some of these comments are just brutal. I know both Sen. Balfour and Rep. Cox and they are both good, decent, God fearing, well intentioned public servants. As of now, they are the only candidates in the race. Why can’t we decide this election on the issues and on the abilities of the candidates?

The General

March 3rd, 2010
7:20 pm

@ Josh

Ralph Reed Supporter is a troll. You bit and he reeled you in, sucker.

Rufio

March 3rd, 2010
8:54 pm

I am interested in learning about Clay Cox. I have had a direct experience with Senator Balfour and he did not respond to my requests for help at all. I am just a constituent and Balfour does not care about the little guy. This is not what we need in a Congressman.

I will say this for sure……Congressman Linder has some big shoes to fill. Maybe he will run for Governor. He would be a major candidate that is for sure. I am unimpressed with the candidates so far.

Lilburn Mom

March 5th, 2010
8:41 am

With Clay Cox running for Congress, my friends have met with Keith Royal to ask him to run. I know of him because he was a softball coach at Mt. Park and he is a lawyer here in Gwinnett. He is not a Republican party insider, knows our community, knows the issues and can represent us well. I hope he runs.

No way Clay

March 5th, 2010
6:53 pm

As someone who knows the real Clay Cox, he’s immoral, dishonest, self centered and a horrific human being.

Rufio

March 6th, 2010
1:46 am

@no way clay, How about some substance to your comment ? How is he immoral ? How is he dishonest ? Self Centered and Horrific Human ? These type of comments is what wrong with our country and politics. Everyone is not the Anti-Christ……..Making these type of comments while hiding behind an anonymous name is cowardly.

@ Lilburn Mom, I know Keith Royal as well. He is a nice man but we do we really need a divorce lawyer representing us in Congress ? His career is about tearing apart unions and covenants. We have enough of that going on in Washington already. Besides being softball coach, what has he done for our community? Playing golf and tennis all weekend does not count……..

John Waszczak

May 25th, 2010
12:07 pm

Jody Hice will make the difference. He will bring back family values. Why send another Politician to do the same as they always have. It’s time for a change in attitude to remind us “It is one nation under GOD”

Wendy

June 2nd, 2010
8:13 pm

I am nterested in a new candidate – not a career politician. Jody Hice will make a great choice. Great ideas, conservative values and a man of character! Check out his website to learn more about him. http://www.jodyhice.com

karen

June 23rd, 2010
5:08 pm

Jody hice has changed his game…Now he’s starting to act more like a politican-he started off Not real sold on the “fairtax,”now he knows he needs it to win! Preacher man is going around to churches that are letting him speak..Shhhhhh…knowbody is suppose to know that he’s really giving a campaign speech. Rob Woodall, you need to bring in Boortz to call him out…or he’ll be going to washington.