State Rep. Michael Caldwell Votes Against Ethics Legislation

Woodstock's state representative was one of four legislators in the State House who voted against House Bill 142, which overwhelmingly passed the House of Representatives on Monday.

Woodstock's Michael Caldwell Opposes State House Ethics Bill

The newly elected state representative was one of four lawmakers who voted against House Bill 142, which overwhelmingly passed the House of Representatives on Monday.

Woodstock's freshman state representative was one of four legislators who voted against an ethics bill that passed overwhelmingly in the Georgia House of Representatives. Michael Caldwell (R-Woodstock), who represents Georgia House District 20, was one of four lawmakers who voted against House Bill 142, which ban lobbyists gifts from individual state lawmakers. Caldwell was joined by another Cherokee County freshman Rep. Scot Turner (R-Holly Springs), in his opposition to the bill. South Georgia Rep. Delvis William Dutton (R-Glenvville) and Rep. Charles Gregory (R-Kennesaw) also voted against he measure. The legislation, which now goes to the Georgia Senate, still allows lobbyists to pay for the dinners or gifts of committees, caucuses and…

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Turner Introduces Bill To Clean Up Residency Requirements for Candidates

State Rep. Scot Turner wants to clean up language that stipulates how long a person must live in a district before seeking to run for office.

Newly elected State Representative Scot Turner has introduced his first bill in the Georgia General Assembly. House Bill 436 "addresses a flaw in the current code and would allow local legislation to create a 12 month residency requirement," he wrote on his Facebook page. "This would prevent someone from moving into an area days before qualifying and then run for elected office," he added. The bill, which is also co-sponsored by Rep. Calvin Hill (R-Hickory Flat) and Rep. Michael Caldwell (R-Woodstock), allows local counties and cities to create a 12-month residency requirement for anyone seeking public office in their county or cities. The bill would exclude candidates for judicial office.  Turner said the bill would clean up some …

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Cherokee Lawmakers Tout Ethics, Term Limits, Guns at Forum

The delegation on Monday shared with residents what bills they are supporting or introducing during the 2013 legislative session.

Cherokee County's legislative delegation on Monday was greeted with about 50 residents who filed into the Cherokee County Historic Courthouse in downtown Canton to hear what pieces of legislation they plan to champion. Lawmakers during the session, which is already halfway over, shared with the audience which bills they've endorsed, sponsored or introduced. The forum was hosted by the Cherokee County Republican Party. State Senator John Albers (R-Roswell) was not able to attend the forum.  State Rep. Calvin Hill (R-Hickory Flat) State Sen. Barry Loudermilk (R-Cassville) State Rep. Mandi Ballinger (R-Canton) State Sen. Brandon Beach (R-Alpharetta)  State Rep. Michael Caldwell (R-Woodstock)  State Rep. John Carson (R-Marietta) State Rep. …

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Cherokee State Legislators To Discuss Bills, Vision at Forum

The Cherokee County Republican Party will hold a forum in which lawmakers will discuss the 2013 Georgia legislative session.

Cherokee State Legislators To Discuss Bills, Vision at Forum

The Cherokee County Republican Party will host a forum Monday in Canton where lawmakers will discuss the 2013 legislative session.

Cherokee County's legislators in the Georgia General Assembly will gather Monday evening to discuss their bills and their vision for 2013 in a forum hosted by the Cherokee County Republican Party. The forum will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Cherokee County Historic Courthouse at 100 North Street in downtown Canton. The forum will be held in the second floor courtroom. Members of the delegation who are slated to participate include State Senators Brandon Beach (R-Alpharetta) and Barry Loudermilk (R-Cassville); State Representatives Michael Caldwell (R-Woodstock), Calvin Hill (R-Hickory Flat), John Carson (R-Marietta), Mandi Ballinger (R-Canton) and Scot Turner (R-Holly Springs).  Legislators will discuss the bills they are backing and also …

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Cherokee State House Election Certified By State

Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp certified last Tuesday's run-off election, which Scot Turner won with 60 percent of the vote.

The state has officially certified last week's run-off election results in the Georgia House District 21 race. Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp certified the results this morning, making Scot Turner the official winner of the race. Turner won the election with 903 votes, or 60 percent over candidate Brian Laurens' 599 votes, or 40 percent. The House district encompasses Holly Springs, portions of BridgeMill, south Canton and parts of southeast Cherokee.  Turner said he will be officially sworn into office at 9 a.m. on Tuesday.  Both Laurens and Turner were the top two vote-getters during the Jan. 8 special election, but neither candidate earned the 50 percent plus one majority needed to achieve victory. The House seat was vacated by …

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House District 21 Runoff Election Results

All results are unofficial until certified by the Secretary of State's Office

With just over 1,500 tallied in House District 21 runoff election, Scot Turner is leading Brian Laurens with 903 votes, or 60.12 percent. The two men were the top two vote-getters during the Jan. 8 special election, though neither earned the 50 percent plus one majority needed to achieve victory. The seat was vacated by Sean Jerguson, who was defeated in his attempt to move to the State Senate by Brandon Beach during the Jan. 8 election.

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Last Week To Vote Early In February Run-Off

Voters in the Georgia House District 21 will choose between Republicans Scot Turner and Brian Laurens in the Feb. 5 run off election.

Today is the start of the last week in which voters who reside in Georgia House District 21 can cast ballots ahead of the Feb. 5 run-off election. Voters who reside in the district, which encompasses Holly Springs, portions of BridgeMill, south Canton and parts of southeast Cherokee, can cast ballots between 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Albert L. Stone Elections Building at 400 East Main Street in Canton.  Early voting in the race has been "extremely slow" so far, Cherokee Elections Supervisor Janet Munda told Patch last week. Munda also told the Cherokee Tribune that as of Friday, 68 people have voted early while 72 people have requested ballots by mail. No voting will be held on Monday Feb. 4, and voters in the …

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