GOP gubernatorial hopefuls support RFRA

Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle signed a pledge to enact a “religious freedom” measure if elected, joining three of his rivals in the GOP primary race for Georgia governor who already signaled support for the pledge. That means if an anti-LGBT “religious freedom” bill hits their desk if elected governor, they promise to sign it.

Cagle’s decision is a surprise given previous statements on the measure and the party’s attempt to give him political cover by adopting a resolution on Aug. 5 that “supported the controversial measure without including a pledge” for candidates to back it.

But a few days later, a conservative group called the Georgia Republican Assembly upped the pressure on Cagle, saying the party’s move was “unacceptable both to Republican voters and to voters at large,” according to the AJC.

With Secretary of State Brian Kemp and state Sens. Michael Williams and Hunter Hill already vowing to sign it, the lieutenant governor appeared boxed in on the contentious issue. But now he’s signed the pledge, tacking right.

Democratic candidate Rep. Stacey Abrams responded to the announcement via Twitter, saying she is “deeply disappointed we continue to have state leaders push discrimination under the guise of religion” and pledging her support as a LGBT ally.

Dunwoody resident — and previous presidential candidate — Marc Alan Urbach also entered the gubernatorial race for the GOP, but had not yet made it known whether he would sign such a pledge or not.

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