Herschel Walker a no show at Ninth District Republican Party Debate Saturday
News April 10, 2022
BRASELTON, Ga. — Five Republican candidates for U.S. Senate showed up for the Ninth District Republican Party Debate Saturday but former UGA and NFL star Herschel Walker was again a no show.
Walker, who has been endorsed by President Donald Trump, made it clear last month that he would not debate his Republican opponents. A recent poll conducted by Emerson College Polling/ The Hill shows Walker with a 57 percent lead over his rivals.
Former Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black, former Congressman Josh Clark, Kelvin King, Brigadier Gen. Jonathan McColumn, and Navy Seal Nathan Saddler took turns attacking Walker for what Saddler called the Biden basement strategy.
“I thought he [Herschel] was a competitor,” Saddler said. “He’s hiding out; he’s doing the Biden basement strategy.”
Black said. “I’m certain that every coach that he had in the past instructed him that you will not play in the game if you don’t show up to practice. These coaches now have him locked in the basement of the locker room.”
On the Ukraine issue, King said the U.S. must project strength globally. “When we pulled out of Afghanistan, essentially with out tail tucked between our legs, left equipment and 13 dead soldiers, Putin saw an opportunity and China is watching to determine whether or not they’re going to jump on Taiwan.”
Saddler said Russia’s move into Ukraine was not surprising. “Put yourself in Putin’s shoes,” he said. Biden’s deterrence failed. “Watching America operate the last year, he witnessed a ruling party in this country that seems to hate it. He witnessed a U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. step up on the world stage and tell the world that America is a racist country. He saw our top leaders at the Pentagon say our top priorities are CRT and climate change. He saw us tuck tail in Afghanistan. He saw us throw away our energy independence and we’re surprised Putin made a move.”
On the legitimacy of the 2020 election, strongly stated the election was stolen. “Trump won and we lost because of ballot harvesting,” said Clark. “I warned against it. I know what happens when you mail our millions of applications. We will have ballot harvesting.” Clark drew what sounded like the loudest applause of the night when he said, “We need an amendment that only allows citizens to vote and I will do that.”
McColumn agreed. “There is more than enough evidence that something took place that was ominous. But he cautioned against Republicans making this a hill to die on in the 2002 election, “Warnock is ready to use this and will use this and it will be a losing battle,” he said. Lets move forward and win this election.”
The results of the post-debate straw poll:
- 51.8% Gary Black
- 23.2% Josh Clark
- 11.4% Latham Saddler
- 7.7% Kelvin King
- 5.3% Herschel Walker
- 0.6% Jonathan McColumn
Gary Black will be featured speaker at Monday’s Tea Party meeting
News November 28, 2021
FORTYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Gary Black is the face of the agriculture industry in Georgia.
He spent 40 years in the farm business as a cattleman, 21 years as president of the Georgia Agribusiness Council and three terms as the state’s Commissioner of Agriculture. But he wants to do more for Georgians. That is why he is running for U.S. Senate in 2022.
He will be the featured speaker at the next meeting of the Forsyth County Tea Party on Monday, Nov. 29 at the VFW Hall in Cumming, starting at 6:30 p.m.
Black endorsed then candidate Donald Trump in 2016 and was appointed by President Trump to serve on his agriculture policy supervisory council.
Under his leadership, Georgia Department of Agriculture divisions for information technology, animal health, homeland security, and food safety have garnered national acclaim.
Gary Black welcomes Hershel Walker to Senate Race
News August 25, 2021
ELLIJAY, Ga – Gary Black, candidate for United States Senate, welcomes UGA legend and Heisman Trophy winner Hershel Walker to the race and to the state.
Walker officially entered the race on Tuesday, August 24, and Black presented Walker with a list of campaign stops to openly debate their ideas for the future of the country.
Black, who serves as Georgia’s Agriculture Commissioner, believes Georgians will ultimately vote for the candidate most equipped to handle the job.
“It’s also about being able to provide leadership. I think that’s a critical element. This is not a run for celebrity. It’s a run for Senate and that’s why I’m in it. I believe we got the skills, record, background, and commitment to conservative values,” Black commented.
Black and Walker have strong ties to former President Donald Trump (R). For months, Trump encouraged Walker to enter the U.S. Senate race, but he hasn’t endorsed anyone in the Senate race yet.
I am just a kid from Wrightsville, Georgia, who has lived the American Dream. Now, I’m running as a Republican for the United States Senate to keep that dream alive for everybody. To join the fight, visit https://t.co/J4UbhIPvuU pic.twitter.com/e1ZX5PHdVY
— Herschel Walker (@HerschelWalker) August 25, 2021
The former President and Black worked closely together on hurricane Michael relief for farmers in southwest Georgia. Black brought 15 farmers to Trump to discuss their needs following the hurricane. He commended Trump’s commitment to bringing aid to those farmers.
Additionally, Black formed a coalition for Trump in 2016 even before the Republican Convention.
“I think the President [Trump] is going to be very pleased when we win,” Black added.
Leadership in Congress
The Agricultural Commissioner commented on the necessity of strong leadership in the United States Senate.
“Should we express the views of Georgia? Absolutely. Sometimes does that mean bucking the system? Absolutely. Is there ever a perfect piece of legislation? That’s not true either,” Black stated. “Having a dose of spinal fluid is exactly what you need in your next United States Senator.”
He confirmed he would have voted no on the $3.5 trillion infrastructure bill.
“Businesses should be competing. Businesses should have oversight. How is it businesses are still competing with the federal government for employees?” Black commented. “We’re destroying the work ethic of this country.”
The Black campaign will soon release details on ideas for backing the blue, refunding the police, and addressing the increase in crime. 75 sheriffs in Georgia have endorsed him.
Moreover, Black viewed the situation in Afghanistan as an “abomination” and a national “embarrassment.”
He called for the firing of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley or resign if the Biden Administration won’t listen to his advice.
“Unveiling this right before our children saying, ‘This is the way this generation stands up.’ There’s nothing great about that,” Black said. “Not a single word from Senator Warnock as this was unfolding is shameful.”
Warnock did comment at an Atlanta Press Club event that endless wars haven’t served the country well, and the focus should be on getting Americans and allies out of the country.
Ag Commissioner Gary Black details why he entered Senate race
News, Politics, State & National June 7, 2021
ELLIJAY, Ga – Georgia Agricultural Commissioner Gary Black (R) spoke about the importance of the Republican party retaking Senator Raphael Warnock (D)’s seat in 2022.
“They (President Joe Biden and Warnock) said they want to fundamentally change America. I fundamentally object to that,” Black stated before listing the rising gas prices, Middle East conflict, and small business crisis erupting in the United States.
Black believes he can provide the leadership that Georgians need in the U.S. Senate and that people choose to vote for him, not against someone else.
He also believes the GOP is healthy in Georgia with approximately 60 percent new attendees turning out for the state’s Republican Convention over the weekend.
“We’ve had the need for a cycle or two to get back to ownership of campaigns at the local level. Ownership of our values and a willingness to share them wherever we go particularly during campaign season. To put forth a positive message and a positive vision for the future of the state and the country,” Black commented.
The Agriculture Commissioner has worked closely with the Trump administration on Georgia’s farming issues. He would love to have the former President’s endorsement, but more importantly, Trump’s economic message doesn’t change. Black wants to keep Trump’s policies in place.
Black’s the first candidate to enter the U.S. Senate race with a statewide base in place. He’s served as the Agriculture Commissioner since 2011 and many across the state have already reached out to show their support for his candidacy.
Two Republicans Kelvin King and Latham Staddler entered the Senate race earlier in the year. Many wait to see if UGA great Herschel Walker will enter the race after Trump urged him to earlier in the year. However, Walker hasn’t taken any steps toward declaring his candidacy. Former U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler, who lost to Warnock in January, did recently meet with Trump and could be contemplating another run.
Former Senator David Perdue and Former Congressman Doug Collins have opted not to run for the Senate in 2022.
Georgia Ag Commissioner Gary Black launches Senate campaign
Featured News, Featured Stories June 4, 2021
JEKYLL ISLAND, GA – Gary Black, Georgia’s Agriculture Commissioner who received more votes than any candidate for U.S. Senate or Governor in 2018 and 2014, today launched his campaign for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Raphael Warnock.
“Warnock and Biden promised to ‘fundamentally change America,’” Black said. “They’re five months into it and job growth and opportunity are down, inflation, debt and gas prices are up, the Middle East is back at war. Satisfied? Or sickened? I fundamentally object. I’ll stand in the gap and say the wave comes this far, and no further.”
A longtime champion of agribusiness — Georgia’s largest economic driver — Black has made the “Georgia Grown” brand one of the most successful marketing efforts of its kind in the nation.
Black was a founding member of President Trump’s rural and agriculture advisory group started in June of 2016. He also hosted President Trump in a visit with Georgia farmers hit hard by Hurricane Michael and worked with the administration to utilize China tariff money on expanded marketing efforts in Taiwan. He was a vocal backer of Congressman Doug Collins’ Senate campaign last year.
He received more votes than any candidate for U.S. Senate or Governor of either party in Georgia in 2018 and 2014.
Biography of Gary Black
Gary W. Black has championed innovation, solutions, support, and growth in Georgia’s largest industry for over 40 years.
Gary grew up on his family’s beef cattle farm in Commerce, GA where he and his wife Lydia also raised their children, Ward and Caroline. He is a University of Georgia graduate, and a past president of the college’s alumni society.
Under Gary’s leadership, the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s divisions for information technology, animal health, homeland security and food safety have garnered national acclaim. Commissioner Black has led innovation in domestic and international promotion through the renowned Georgia Grown branding program, helping Georgians start businesses and expand markets. Since taking office in 2011, Gary has also improved the department’s fiscal responsibility and performance, as well as strengthened career paths for employees.
Gary Black is a Leadership Georgia Pattillo Award recipient and the 2017 Georgia Trend Magazine Georgian of the Year. He currently serves on advisory committees for the United States Department of Agriculture, Environmental Protection Agency and the Export Import Bank of the United States.
Gary and Lydia continue to raise commercial beef cattle at Harmony Grove Farms, and serve together in various ministries at Maysville Baptist Church.