ATLANTA- Pledging to move Georgia's Republican Party into a new era, Michael McNeely - vice chairman of the state party - wants to make history and if successful would become the first minority leader of the Georgia GOP.
McNeely, 44, is currently first vice chairman of the Georgia Republican Party and if elected would be the first minority to chair the GOP in the South.
"As the state of Georgia continues to grow and change at an astounding pace, we must keep up with that growth and create a party that appeals to a host of Republicans," McNeely said. "It's important for the next GOP chairman to follow in the footsteps of our President and lead our party into a new era. We need someone in touch with struggling families, small business, the faith community and who can generate new excitement for the party."
Georgia Republicans will elect a new chairman during their state convention June 2-3 in Augusta.
Former Florida Congressman Col. Allen B. West, now executive director of the National Center for Policy Analysis, has called McNeely a rising star in the Republican Party.
McNeely is a former police offer and member of the Georgia Army National Guard. He current is an executive with the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice and has overseen budgets, training, policy, human resources and legislative affairs. McNeely and his wife Jennifer live in Villa Rica and are members of the Word of Faith Family Cathedral in Austell.
As chairman of the Georgia GOP, McNeely said he would bring more women and minorities into the party as he is a strong supporter of providing school choice for all children, reducing taxes and the regulatory burden on business.
In November, the Trump-Pence ticket got 51 percent of the vote in Georgia in 2016 compared to 53 percent for the Romney-Ryan ticket in 2012. Republican stalwart counties including Gwinnett and Cobb counties voted for Hillary Clinton over Trump. Gov. Nathan Deal got 53 percent of the popular vote in 2010 and 2014.
"The next GOP chairman will have an immense job ahead of him: helping elect a Republican and a conservative as Georgia's next governor in 2018," McNeely said. "That's why I pledge to help generate a slate of candidates who can enact policies that will draw a greater coalition of supporters into the party.
"Republicans have ideas that can generate support across vast coalitions if messaged correctly," he said.
As First Vice Chairman, McNeely has campaigned for candidates throughout the state including President Trump. McNeely spoke at the opening of the Trump Headquarters in Sandy Springs this past fall about the need to spread the GOP's message of opportunity to a host of constituencies.
To learn more about McNeely's historic bid for Georgia GOP chairman, go to mcneelyforga.org or follow him on Twitter at #ILikeMikeGA
For More Information or to Contact McNeely for interviews:
michael@michaelmcneely.org or 678-873-5873
http://mcneelyforga.org/