Public Service Commissioner Tim Echols endorsed Kelly Loeffler’s bid for U.S. Senate, choosing the former financial executive over fellow Republican Doug Collins in the heated November special election for the seat.
Echols called Loeffler a “political outsider and conservative businesswoman” who offers Republicans the “complete package” as she campaigns to fill out the remaining two years on retired U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson’s term.
"There is no substitute for a strong female voice in championing life, waging war against human traffickers, promoting family values, and modeling financial generosity,” he said.
He's among a handful of statewide officials who have backed Loeffler's campaign, a group that includes Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, Attorney General Chris Carr and Insurance Commissioner John King.
All have close ties with Gov. Brian Kemp, who appointed Loeffler to the seat last year and has urged his political network to rally behind the political newcomer.
She’s facing a robust challenge in the wild race from Collins, a four-term U.S. congressman who has accused her of profiting from the pandemic through a series of stock transactions as the coronavirus outbreak worsened.
He's picked up a series of prominent supporters, including U.S. Rep. Drew Ferguson, former U.S. Rep. Karen Handel and Bubba McDonald, another public service commissioner.
Two recent Republican polls paint sharply different scenarios. One pegs Collins to a wide lead over Loeffler in the November race, while the other shows a deadlocked contest between the two Republicans and their closest Democratic rival. No recently available public polling can confirm either result.
Among the Democrats in the 21-candidate field are businessman Matt Lieberman, former prosecutor Ed Tarver and the Rev. Raphael Warnock, who is backed by Stacey Abrams and the political arm of Senate Democrats.
