Carter Barrett defeats three-term incumbent Sheri Gilligan in District 24 race
News June 22, 2022
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County banker Carter Barrett ousted three-term incumbent Sheri Smallwood Gilligan in Tuesday’s Republican Primary Runoff to win the Georgia House of Representatives District 24 seat.
With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Barrett received 2,317 votes to Gilligan’s 1,623. The result marked a substantial turnaround from last month’s General Primary, in which Gilligan outpolled Barrett by about 600 votes in a three-candidate race.
Brent Cox defeated Julie Tressler in the race for Georgia House District 28. Cox, a businessman and former football coach reeived 2,330 votes to Tressler’s 1,829.
In the runoff for 6th District US Congress, Dr. Rich McCormick easily defeated lawyer Jake Evens by a two to one margin, 27,418 to 13,788.
Cox, Tressler meet in District 28 showdown
Featured Stories June 20, 2022
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — One of the key local races to be decided Tuesday will be in north Forsyth County’s new State House District 28 where Brent Cox will face Julie Tressler.
Tressler is a longtime conservative who once served as President of the Women’s Republican Party in Forsyth County. Cox is a newcomer to politics who made a strong showing at the Republican Party Town Hall last week.
Tressler missed the Town Hall as a result of a concussion she suffered in a fall at her home. That could prove difficult for her to overcome since she lost to Cox by about 1,000 votes in the general primary and barely made the runoff.
Brent Cox
Cox is a former football coach, teacher, and successful businessman who designed, engineered, and sold ventilation hood systems to the food service industry globally.
Julie Tressler
Polls will open at 7 am Tuesday and are expected to close at 7pm.
Tressler explains absence at Town Hall due to a concussion she suffered in fall at home
News June 16, 2022
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A note received during last night’s Run-Off Town Hall at the Forsyth Conference Center from former County Commissioner Patrick Bell explains Julie Tressler’s injury and the reason for her absence:
“Julie would like to convey her disappointment in not being able to participate in tonight’s Forsyth Young Republican and Forsyth County GOP forum. (Tuesday) night Julie had an accident at home and hit her head. She fell “saw stars” and/or briefly blacked out. She waited a while and determined she was ok. (Wednesday) morning Julie had an unusually severe headache, was nauseous, and had trouble focusing. We went to the emergency room where it was determined she had suffered a concussion. ACAT scan showed no issues. She was sent home with instructions to rest and her symptoms should clear up in a few days. If you know Julie, she is not entirely happy with having to stay home and wants to be with her supporters and all Forsyth and Hall conservatives as the run-off is nearing the finish line. She thanks you for your prayers and assures you she is ready, willing and able to serve District 28.”
Cox goes solo in District 28 debate after opponent Julie Tressler is injured in a fall
News June 16, 2022
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.
Brent Cox
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.