Cox goes solo in District 28 debate after opponent Julie Tressler is injured in a fall

FORSYTH COUNTY Ga. — The Forsyth County Republican Party held a Run-Off Town Hall Wednesday for District 24 and 28 State House candidates incumbent Sheri Gilligan and her opponent Carter Barrett and Brent Cox and Julie Tressler at the Forsyth Conference Center at Lanier Tech.

Cox a businessman and former football coach had the rostrum all to himself. His opponent, Julie Tressler, was reportedly in the Emergency Room at Northside Hospital after suffering a concussion when she fell and struck her head on Tuesday.

Cox was given time to introduce himself and discuss his platform. Before fielding questions, he asked the audience at the Lanier Tech Conference Center to join him in prayer for Tressler’s healing.

The University of Georgia graduate has worked in the food industry since 1994, designing hood systems for restaurants globally, including the Department of Defense facilities in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is married with three children and he and his wife attend Free Chapel Church.

A common thread that wound its way through is presentation was less government and more individual freedom, especially less involvement from state and federal government in local affairs..

“Less government. More freedom,” he stated often.

He said he is a strong school choice advocate. “The money follows the student,” he said. “Parents should have the ability to choose where their money is going.”

On divisive programs being taught in the school system, he said, “The legislature did a fantastic job this past year,” he said, referring to the Parents Bill of Rights that Governor Kemp signed into law.

On the participation of transgender athletes competing in girls sports, he said, Absolutely girls sports needs to be girls sports. We’ve got to protect girls and women’s sports in this state not only at the high school level but the collegiate level and Olympic level.” He also said he would never support a shutdown in the economy or masked mandates.

Cox also added that he would work to bring the best cyber security systems in the nation to Forsyth County. “That is legislation I hope to create,” he said.