I am enthusiastically endorsing Brian Cochran in the Republican run-off for the Georgia House District 47 seat.  This is only my fourth endorsement in 10+ years of community advocacy; I set a high bar for endorsements.

In my previous post, I described the single issue that has been defining the District 47 run-off:  Gambling Dark Money intended to subvert the integrity of our local elections.  I will not say more (at this time) about this issue.  Belatedly, this issue is now being properly addressed.  That is good for everyone: citizens and the candidates.  (See Note 1.)

This post’s focus is on Brian Cochran.  Over the past few weeks, I have had the pleasure of re-acquainting myself with Brian, who was my neighbor many years ago.  Brian is an impressive young man.  A Georgia Tech graduate, he currently works as robotics engineer.  He has deep AI expertise and his campaign pitch for prudently regulating AI is resonating with voters.  Brian is self-managing and (mostly) self-financing his own campaign.  He has enthusiastic, young, unpaid volunteers pounding the pavement for him.  No campaign consultant intermediaries; no wealthy donors; no PAC-purchased canvassers.  He is running an amazing DIY campaign.  There is an appealing authenticity and infectious fervor infusing Brian’s campaign.  You can feel the enthusiasm.  Brian is the Train-That-Could chugging uphill against the political establishment. 

What I most like about Brian Cochran is his focus on liberty and his courage and tenacity in fighting for our rights.  While a student, Brian filed a free-speech lawsuit against Georgia Tech . . . and against all odds, he won.  GIT settled the case for $50,000, but more importantly GIT agreed to fundamentally change its rules for student organizations.  No longer would GIT distribute money based on whether the university agreed or disagreed with an organization’s political, religious, or ideological views.  Henceforth, GIT would maintain viewpoint-neutrality in distributing funds.  Although his lawsuit focused on the First Amendment right to free speech, Brian also scored victories for freedom of religion, freedom to protest, and freedom of assembly . . . three other First Amendment Rights. Impressive!  (See Note 2.)

Through his actions, Brian demonstrated admirable bravery.  Brian is a fighter and a man of integrity.  He is comfortable being an outsider and a scrappy underdog.  Americans love an underdog.  Brian has the courage of his convictions.  That is critically important.  Through his lawsuit, Brian had to navigate state government and often experienced indifference, obstruction, and sometimes even hostility.  He wants to change that.  He has an understanding—that can only be gained through experience in the trenches—of the ever-present threats (e.g., Gambling Dark Money) to our republican democracy and our basic civil liberties.  Brian understands the most important role of government, as articulated in the Declaration of Independence, is to “secure” our “inalienable rights.”  We need a champion for our rights like Brian Cochran in the Georgia Assembly.

Brian has not received any support from gambling PACs nor are any PACs conducting campaigns on his behalf.  Brian has made his position on gambling clear:  he will actively oppose expansion of gambling in Georgia, including past-the-buck referenda being proposed by cowardly elected representatives that want to shirk their legislative responsibilities.  Brian is beholden to no one, except the citizens of District 47.  I am confident Brian will represent citizens with competence, compassion, and integrity.

As always, thanks to my readers, voters, and sentient citizens. Thanks to both candidates, Jack and Brian, for running to represent the worthy citizens of District 47; both are fine young men.

Advocating For Citizens,

Tim

Note 1: There is an opportunity to reset the election once the run-off has passed. So far, the Dark Money issue has eclipsed all other issues in this election. However, the Gambling issue’s importance in the general election can be dramatically diminished; both Miller and Cochran are taking appropriate steps to do so. Both have categorically stated their opposition to gambling expansion, including through referenda. The Gambling PAC issue needs to be put behind us; there are other important issues that need vetting.

Note 2:  Since 2018, most of my consulting work has been in higher education.  Based on my higher education experience and expertise, I can tell you that Mr. Cochran’s victory against GIT and the state of Georgia is astonishing.  To take on the professoriate (and its acolytes) and win is quite a feat of daring and courage.  Cochran outsmarted the self-annointed intelligentsia.