GOP governor candidates to visit

Tillman hangar at the airport will host the Saturday morning Republican rally.

Floyd County Republicans will welcome all of the announced 2018 gubernatorial candidates to Rome Saturday at the annual GOP Rally at Richard B. Russell Regional Airport. The rally will be held at the Tillman Hangar on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

State GOP Chairman John Watson will lead a who’s who of political hopefuls to the airport north of Rome for the mid-day rally.

Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and Secretary of State Brian Kemp, the two leading candidates for the GOP nomination to succeed Nathan Deal, are expected to be on hand according to Floyd County GOP public relations director Leeta McDougald. State Senators Hunter Hill, Buckhead, and Michael Williams, Cumming, who have also formally announced their candidacy, are also slated to be on hand

Sen. David Shafer, Duluth, considered by many to be the front runner for the nomination to succeed Cagle as Lt. Gov., is expected to be at the event as is Rep. Geoff Duncan, Cumming, who has also announced his candidacy for the number two job.

Buzz Brockway, a senator from Lawrenceville has announced his intent to run for Secretary of State and will be at the rally as will Rep. Brad Raffensperger, Johns Creek, who announced his candidacy for the Secretary of State post in April.

Tom Graves, Ranger, the U.S. Congressman representing the 14th Congressional District across Northwest Georgia is also slated to be in attendance.

The event is expected to include announced candidates for Lt. Governor, Secretary of State and other state races. At least one potential candidate for a Rome City Commission race is expected to announce whether or not he will throw his hat in the ring.

Actual qualifying for the city election does not begin until that last week of August,

Admission to the rally is free; however, barbecue plate lunches will be available for a $10 donation.