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
U.S. Senate debate in Flowery Branch Saturday
News April 7, 2022
HALL COUNTY, Ga. — The Northeast Georgia Republican Party will host a Candidate Forum on Saturday, April 9, U.S. Senate candidates will debate in Flowery Branch, though Herschel Walker will not be in attendance.
The debate between Agricultural Commissioner Gary Black, former state representative and Flowery Branch resident Josh Clark, Kelvin King, Jonothan McCollum and Latham Saddler will be held at 6 p.m. at 7340 Friendship Springs Blvd in Flowery Branch.
People may also livestream the event via the 9th District GOP’s Facebook page.
The venue seats about 500 people, and registration via the eventbrite page is required. The event is free to attend.
The primary election will be held on May 24 and early voting starts May 2.
Kelvin King speaks to why he’s running for U.S. Senate
News, State & National April 16, 2021
ELLIJAY, Ga – Businessman and self-starter Kelvin King took issue with those who called his candidacy for U.S. Senate a Republican strategy.
“I’m not a strategy. I’ve been a Republican for a long time, and I saw an opportunity. I saw a need in our Party to win back this sear and I think I can do it.” King remarked, “I’m not a tool of the Republican Party. No one in the Republican Party said ‘Hey Kelvin, I think you can win because your Black. I think that’s offensive. ”
He does believe he’s the best chance for Republican voters to take back a Senate seat in 2022. Senator Raphael Warnock (D) is up for reelection after winning the January runoff against Kelly Loeffler. Traditionally, Senators serve six years, but the race was for the remaining time in retired Senator Johnny Isakson’s term.
King considers himself a statesman who’s ready to represent Georgia in Washington D.C. if given the opportunity.
King’s a Georgia native who was born in Macon and grew up in Cobb County. He received an appointment to the Air Force Academy and served in the Air Force. Upon returning to Georgia, he began his own construction company out of his home, and now it’s a multimillion-dollar company.
He admitted he didn’t follow politics growing up but tended to vote Democrat until college when he began reading a lot of black history books and other materials. His first Republican vote was for George Bush. Self determination and less government are two ideas that King strongly believes in.
“As long as we have freedom and liberty that means we have the opportunity to succeed or fail on our own,” he stated.
As for cancel culture, King commented that it ultimately hurts innocent bystanders – those not directly involved. He cited MLB’s decision to move the All-Star Game from Cobb County. It resulted in millions lost for local businesses. King added that companies and media need to gather more accurate information before making final decisions. Cancel culture doesn’t unite America; it divides the country on a personal level.
Kelvin King announces campaign for U.S. Senate in Georgia
Featured News, News, Press Release April 12, 2021
Marietta, GA – Today, Kelvin King announced his campaign for the U.S. Senate in Georgia. King, a Georgia native, proud veteran, Republican activist, and successful business owner, had the following to say about his campaign.
“Republicans in our state are at a crossroads. We’ve seen what’s at stake in our country. The Biden Administration is currently wrecking our economy, creating a crisis at our border, and systematically dismantling every bit of the “America First” agenda implemented over the last four years. Career politicians, woke corporations, and the cancel culture are all empowered while our families and small businesses are left to pay the price. As the GOP, we have to decide right now if we are knocked down or knocked out. Personally, I am ready to take back our state and fight for the future of our country!
Many of you across Georgia know my wife, Janelle, and me. I am a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, a proud veteran, and the owner of a successful construction company. At the same time, my story includes being born to a teenage mother, raised in a single parent home, and overcoming the challenge of poverty. Statistically speaking, I shouldn’t have made it. I truly am a product of the American dream, which makes me the fiercest defender of freedom, opportunity, and American exceptionalism.
I believe our nation deserves better than President Biden and his weak leadership, just as I believe our state deserves better than Senator Warnock’s divisive far left representation. This election for the U.S. Senate is bigger than you and me. Georgia truly is ground zero for taking back our country. Let’s win for America.”
Kelvin King was born in Macon, GA and raised in Mableton, GA. His mom, Janet, was a teenager when she had Kelvin. His mother, at a young age, had the courage to leave an abusive marriage, becoming a single mother to two children, Kelvin and his younger sister Tameisha. Kelvin spent most of his childhood in a single parent home and they oftentimes struggled to make ends meet. Though he became the man of the family early, his mother and grandmother worked hard to instill in him the values needed to grow into a successful young adult. It was these values he credits with earning him an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy where he was an All-Conference football player.
Kelvin graduated from the Academy and served 5 years in the Air Force as a Contracting Officer. He made the rank of Captain before deciding to leave the military and transition to corporate America. Upon completion of his service, he returned to Georgia to begin building his life as a civilian. He worked in procurement, business development and eventually became the General Manager of an international construction firm where he achieved numerous honors including being named to the Top 20 Under 40 in ENR Magazine and Manager of the Year in his company. After several years in this role, he decided to save enough money to start his own construction firm, Osprey Management. Kelvin’s firm has twice been named the fastest-growing business by the Atlanta Business Chronicle.
Kelvin is married to Janelle who serves as a panelist and commentator on Fox 5 Atlanta’s “The Georgia Gang.” The two of them have been entrenched in Georgia politics as leading conservative activists and are passionate about spreading the Republican message throughout the minority community. They founded “Speak Georgia”, a 501c3 organization designed to educate and provide resources to the community directly from subject matter experts.
The Kings attend the Church of the Apostles and in their free time enjoy cooking out with friends. Kelvin is also the proud father of a fellow Air Force veteran Christian Ward – GO AIR FORCE!