Woah! What happened? Was there an attack on city hall? Did the commissioners go into hiding as a violent mob stormed the building?
No.
“Cobb County’s J6,” is what Keli Gambrill, the republican county commissioner for district 1, called Jerica Richardson’s return to the dias last week as we wait for the results of this spring’s special election.
While it is refreshing to see a republican depart from the typical MAGA stance that Donald Trump’s insurrection was a fun time had by all, it’s almost as naive as it is insulting to draw that type of comparison.
Her comment on Monday was the type of grandstanding Cobb republicans have been doing ever since GOP Senator Edwin Setzler and Representative John Carson drew Ms. Richardson out of her district shortly after she was elected.
While listening to republicans complain is exhausting and tedious, it is a reminder to us of just how important local elections are.
We’re sad to see Commissioner Jerica Richardson go. She is a hardworking and incredible leader who handled four years of harassment.
She leaves big shoes to fill, and we owe it to her to turnout the vote in February and April. Do we really want an Alicia Adams taking the place of a Jerica Richardson?
The same Alicia Adams that protested expanding public transit by riding Cobb Linc and judging people based on their appearance? Her? Really?
Commissioners are more than people who just show up to meetings though. They work to improve the community, whether it’s bringing businesses to the county or approving the plans for a new park.
We need someone who will seriously consider the needs of EVERY person in their district and in the county. A real servant of the people who doesn’t stage photo ops or grand stand over the minutia.
More importantly, we need a strong Democratic majority on the board to help blunt the blows of Project 2025.
Let’s not kid ourselves, we know what happens on Monday. However, we know what to expect and we know what’s coming. We need someone who will stand up to the Setzlers, the Carsons, the Kemps, and the Trumps.
They’re a petty bunch who enjoy using condescending tones to cover up their various tantrums, but we can see right through them.
The GOP can spin the commission map debacle they created as much as they want, but let’s not forget it’s the Democrat in districts 2 and 4 that are being forced to hold special elections. The Republicans in 1 & 3 were magically untouched.
Remember, republicans break while Democrats create.
We’re so excited to see you all at our next meeting and we can’t wait to plug you in to our 2025 volunteer network!