A pair of former suburban congressmen with national profiles endorsed U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler over Rep. Doug Collins in the free-for-all November special election that’s divided Republicans.
Tom Price, who was briefly President Donald Trump's health secretary, and Bob Barr, who ran for president as a Libertarian in 2008, both said Wednesday they were backing the incumbent's campaign.
“At a time when radical liberals are attacking our values and unhinged progressives are bringing chaos to our communities, America simply cannot afford another career politician,” said Barr, who represented a Cobb-based district from 1995 to 2003.
Price, a six-term congressman appointed by Trump shortly after his election, cited Loeffler’s work on the president’s coronavirus task force and her conservative stances on abortion, gun rights and other flashpoints.
"In her short time in Washington, she's been a champion for our conservative cause by sponsoring legislation to defend the sanctity of life, protect our 2nd Amendment rights, and secure our borders," said Price, who resigned in September 2017 amid a charter flight controversy.
Collins and Loeffler have raced to lock up supporters in a scrap for endorsements that has fractured Georgia Republicans at a time when Democrats are aiming to upend GOP control of the state.
Loeffler has captured the support of many of Gov. Brian Kemp’s top allies, as well as national figures such as former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and ex-U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley.
A handful of Republicans have broken ranks with Kemp, who appointed Loeffler to the seat in December over Collins and other applicants.
His backers include former U.S. Rep. Karen Handel, who succeeded Price, and U.S. Rep. Drew Ferguson, the first Republican member of Georgia's congressional delegation to take sides.
About the Author
