Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024
Good morning! We start today with last night’s forum for the candidates in Chatham County’s district attorney race, Democratic incumbent Shalena Cook Jones and Republican challenger Andre Pretorious. We then look at reactions to the weekend visit to Savannah by South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, stumping for GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump. Finally, we note some important stories you may have missed and offer some things for your radar. Questions, comments, or story ideas? You can reach me at craig.thecurrent@gmail.com
NEWS: POLITICS
Chatham DA candidates defend actions
The candidates for Chatham County district attorney, one of Coastal Georgia’s most watched political races this fall, last night defended their actions in highly publicized cases that critics said cast doubts on their professional and ethical judgement.
Speaking at a candidate forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Coastal Georgia and broadcast live on WJCL-TV, Andre Pretorius described as “baseless” and “shameful” allegations that he improperly intervened in an ongoing drug-trafficking case that eventually cost county taxpayers $100,000.
The allegations were detailed in documents distributed by incumbent Democratic district attorney Shalena Cook Jones earlier this month to members of the Chatham County Commission and news organizations, including The Current.
The accusations are “a political ploy to attack someone who has never committed an ethical violation,” said Pretorius, a former assistant district attorney in Cook Jones’ office.
For her part, Cook Jones responded to accusations last month by Savannah Mayor Van Johnson — notably, a fellow Democrat — that she was playing politics and failing victims when she dismissed murder cases against six defendants due to what she said was police misconduct.
Cook Jones said “no district attorney in their right mind” wants to dismiss a murder case. In this case, however, the quality of evidence required it, she said.
Look for continued coverage of the candidate forum and the DA’s race from The Current’s public security reporter, Jake Shore.
NEWS: POLITICS
Mission: The undecideds
“Team Trump’s Agenda 47 Policy Tour” came to Savannah on Saturday, led by South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, once considered Trump’s possible running mate.
Joined on stage by 1st District U.S. Rep. Earl “Buddy” Carter and his 10th District counterpart, Mike Collins, the governor urged more than 300 ardent Trump supporters gathered at a ballroom at the Charles H. Morris Center to win over undecided voters in a presidential election that most polls indicate couldn’t be much closer.
“We’re talking about the ones in the middle that have no idea what they’re thinking,” said Noem, in urging the Trump faithful to step up their efforts to get waffling Republicans to the polls. “Those are the ones we’re gonna go find.”
Interviews with some Republicans who attended the rally show the issues currently propelling the 45th president’s campaign for another four-year term, as well as the misgivings by one begrudging Trump voter, The Current’s Craig Nelson reports.
ICYMI
- “Brunswick DA Keith Higgins to stop representing state in Juvenile Court” (The Current, Sept. 11, 2024) “Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney Keith Higgins will stop assigning prosecutors for Glynn County Juvenile Court cases starting Oct. 1 due to a lack of budget for his overworked and understaffed office.”
- “Georgia lawmakers about to focus on private water systems” (Capitol Beat, Sept. 14, 2024) “Private water systems became an issue earlier this year when the Republican-controlled General Assembly voted largely along party lines to allow private utilities to provide water in areas where no public service can be provided within 18 months.”
- “McIntosh begins voting on Sapelo referendum” (The Current, Sept. 10, 2024) “The new zoning allows bigger, taller houses, which residents fear will force out Sapelo descendants in favor of wealthy developers.”
- “Policy gaps, lack of housing options force mother, daughter to consider living apart” (The Current, Sept. 7, 2024) “The lack of services and affordable housing has been an urgent policy topic for years in Brunswick and the county, a gap that private donors, charities and religious organizations are trying to fill amidst pushback from local officials.”
4 things for your radar
- The State Election Board will hold its next meeting on Friday, September 20, at 9 a.m. in Room 341 in the Georgia State Capitol. To link to the livestream, click https://www.youtube.com/@GAStateElectionBoard/streams.
- The Chatham County Democratic Party has rescheduled its voter empowerment party and meet-the-candidates gathering on Saturday, Sept. 21, between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. at Savannah’s Forsyth Park.
- The Skidaway Island Republican Club will hold a fundraising reception for 1st District U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter and Ohio Congressman Jim Jordan starting at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21, at the Palmetto Club Ballroom at The Landings. For more information, click here.
- Party in the Pines for state Rep. Jesse Petrea (R-Savannah) will be held on Oct. 6 at 6 p.m. at the Forest City Gun Club, 9203 Ferguson Ave. in Savannah. Guests include Gov. Brian Kemp and House Speaker Jon Burns. For more information, contact cnewman@alcovepropertiesllc.com.
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GA Supreme Court to hear appeal for man convicted of killing 3 in Savannah car chase
GA justices will hear oral arguments Tuesday in an appeal stemming from a deadly chase through downtown Savannah in 2017, killing a pedestrian who was the former general manager of The Grey.
South Georgia Republicans crowd pro-Trump rally in Savannah
More than 300 of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s most ardent fans crowded a ballroom to hear one of his most enthusiastic surrogates: South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem.
Georgia lawmakers about to focus on private water systems
Private water systems became an issue earlier this year when the Republican-controlled General Assembly voted largely along party lines to allow private utilities to provide water in areas where no public service can be provided within 18 months.
State auditors flag Georgia’s driver’s ed program for outdated lessons, lack of rigor
Georgia’s 40 hours of supervised driving time is below both the national median and recommended standard of 50 hours.
Georgia state senators assert power to subpoena after Fulton DA skips investigative hearing
Willis was subpoenaed to turn over documents and testify before the committee on Friday. Instead, her attorney asked a judge to block the subpoena pending a ruling whether state lawmakers can force her to appear before their committee.
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