Republican Party runoff debates Wednesday

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Republican Party will host a candidate forum……. for candidates in the House Dist. 24 and District 28 State Representative Runoff Election on June 15 in the Forsyth Conference Center, 3410, Ronald Reagan Blvd. in Cumming. Doors open at 6 pm. The debate begins at 6:30.

Two University of Georgia graduates will square off in the District 24 runoff.

District 24 incumbent Sheri Gilligan defeated Barrett by more than 600 votes in the Dist. 24 General Primary Election last month and needed only 25 more votes to avoid a runoff. Ed Solly, who finished third in that race with 675 votes, has endorsed her.

Gilligan is a veteran legislator and one of the most conservative members of the Georgia House of Representatives. She was named Conservative Legislator of the year by CPAC in 2021 and 2022. She has an A  rating by the National Rifle Association and has been endorsed by the NRA, Frontline Policy Council and Rep. Ed Setzler.

She has served in the United States Naval Reserves and as an analyst for the United States Central Intelligence Agency.

As District 24 State Representative the past eight years, she has supported legislation on the Heartbeat Bill, Campus Carry, teacher pay raises, reduction in taxes, and school choice.

Barrett has been a successful banker and community leader in Forsyth for 30 years. He founded Community Business Bank and now serves as the North American Market President for Affinity Bank.

He has served the county on numerous boards, including the Sawnee Community Center, Northside Hospital Foundation, United Way of Forsyth County, and The Place of Forsyth and the Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce. He has received the Chamber’s Chairman Award twice and the Paramount Achievement Award.

Barrett has been endorsed by State Representatives Lauren McDonald, Rick Jasperse and State Senator Clint Dixon as well as Forsyth County Commissioner Todd Levent. He has also been recognized by the Georgia House of Representatives for his contributions and service to Forsyth County.

He and wife Jamie live in Cumming where his two daughters graduated from West Forsyth High School. They atten North Point Community Church.