The Columbia County Republican Party host townhall for Georgia House District 131

COLUMBIA COUNTY, Ga. (WJBF) – Columbia County early voting continues in the runoff between two republican Candidates for Georgia House District 131.

The Columbia County Republican Party held a town hall for Georgia House District 131 at New Life Gateway Campus in Grovetown. The audience submitted questions and got to know the candidates.

“My platform is simple. I am a conservative businessman. You know, I really feel like in the government and especially in the state house, we need more business-minded individuals,” said Rob Clifton, a GA House District 131 candidate.

Paul Abbott served in the Army National Guard, was an educator, and worked in federal law enforcement. He says he has always been for the people.

“I’ve been a public servant, and I’m a people person. So, you know I’m going to be available to people,” said Paul Abbott, a GA House District 131 candidate.

Abbott said he is doing this because of opportunity. Once he heard Jodi Lott would no longer run, he decided to because he would not have run against her.

“She’s done a fantastic job for us, and I dearly love her. She’s done a great job. You know, not everybody is going to agree. You know, we got 60,000 people in the district,” said Abbott.

Rob Clifton is the CEO of Clifton Construction and wanted to get more involved in the community and make a difference.

“A lot of people have sat at home on the couch complaining about politics and this, that, and the other. When Jodi announced she wasn’t running anymore, I just decided I felt like I needed to do more,” said Clifton.

He says what sets him apart is that he is not a politician but a businessman.

“Right now, we have been tracking the early voting, and it is very, very low. A lot of people that we are talking to didn’t even realize that we were in a runoff,” said Clifton.

One of the main things they want to get across is to vote in this runoff.

“I’m here tonight because I am an average citizen, just like everybody else. And I believe that if all average citizens in America were to come out and get involved, we could turn this country around,” said Lynda Brown, an attendee.

The winner of the runoff will face Democrat Heather White. The final day for early voting is Friday, and the election day is June 18th.

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