Fresh off the heels of Mark’s primary victory in PA, I want to turn your attention to a State primary race for Lt. Governor here in Georgia. State Senator Casey Cagle is fighting an uphill battle against Christian Coalition founder and lobbyist Ralph Reed. On name recognition alone Reed should win in a wash but because of Ralph’s tendency for the seedier side of politics this race is going down to the wire.

Why should you care about the Lt. Governor’s race down in Georgia? Well it’s simple. Ralph Reed represents the establishment wing of the GOP that works more for increasing power instead of pushing the conservative agenda. From his dealings with Jack Abramoff using Indian Casino money to stifle competition for his client, to his long history of dirty politics to elect moderate Republicans over their more conservative opponents. Most noticeably Ralph Reed worked for Mitch Skandalakis over the more conservative Clint Day in the 1998 Lt. Governor’s race in Georgia. Skandalakis lost the general election and dragged the GOP ticket down with him. The loss is attributed to the slash and burn campaigning spearheaded by Reed. Skandalakis later plead guilty to corruption charges and spent 6 months in jail. Reed has even gone so far as to lease a red pickup truck for this election. I can’t help but point out that Janet Reno tried the same thing in her bid for the governorship of Florida.

I am tired of Ralph Reed’s win at all costs type of politics. I want something better. That is why I support Casey Cagle. Casey Cagle is not a firebrand like Tancredo or Coburn, but he is a solid conservative with a proven conservative record. As the State Senate finance chairman, Cagle has sponsored legislation lowering taxes, and fought against eminent domain abuse by helping pass the Private Property Protection Act which essentially negates the disastrous Kelo Supreme Court decision here in Georgia. Casey Cagle also helped to pass the toughest illegal immigration laws of any state in the country. He is the leader we need for Georgia.

I hope what happened in last weeks primary in PA is a predictor of what’s to come around the country. Conservatives need to send a message: Republicans need to start acting like Republicans. Georgians can send a message July 18th by voting for Casey Cagle.