Second District Republican Party Convention, Leesburg, GA
June 8, 2002  (more pictures)

Darrel Speaking to the Convention

Good morning!!!

I want to discuss a few topics with you, but first let me introduce Linda and my girls, Jo and Susie. Linda, please stand up. This is my business partner and friend. It’s great to have her here with us today.

There are a few folks who say I am not a Lee County resident. Well, those folks are not telling the truth.

Yes, I did move. And yes, I am a resident of Lee County. Linda, the children, and I live in Lee County in a home we have owned since 1988. We first moved to southwest Georgia in 1980.

Now, why did I move? After the redistricting, our house was drawn only a stone’s throw out of the district. The constitution requires that states reapportion voting districts every ten years. As we all know, this year was especially unusual because of the gerrymandering of districts. For folks who desire to serve, they must be willing to move. Moving was a great hardship on Linda, the children, and me. But, we felt strongly that I should offer my services to the community.

We have examples right here in our area where candidates have moved to serve. Saxby Chambliss chose to move to Macon after the lines were re-drawn in 1996. Right here in our District 137, John Bullock from Thomas County was prepared to move from this district in order to run for a state representative seat in Thomasville. He has now decided to run for the state senate.

Darrel with Gary Smith, Dougherty County Republican Party Chairman

I grew up here in the deep-south. I returned in 1980 as a young Marine Captain. Unlike most Marines who come to the Marine Base, we got off the base and got involved in the community. Marines can literally exist on the base and never come out into the community. But, we didn’t. We got involved.

Twenty-two years ago when Linda and I first came, many new residents were coming. Today, Linda, the children, and I live in a home we have owned since 1988. We love Lee County. We are a part of Lee County. We own a business in Lee County.

Linda and I have a commitment to the entire district. We have a business in four of the five counties that make up this new district. Thomas County is the only county where we do not have a business.

We deserve a conservative Republican to represent us in Atlanta. I have shared my conservative ideas all over southwest Georgia. In the 1996 election, I crisscrossed the Second District sharing those conservative ideas. Often I felt like a missionary with a message. Back then, two Republicans were afraid to stand on the same platform together for fear of getting the others political disease. Now, times are changing. Events like the one we had a few weeks ago in Thomasville and Albany are great examples. Republican candidates from all over the state stood on the same platform together.

We only get to elect one representative, and he gets to vote only once. But, if we elect a leader, we get to affect many votes because a leader can share our conservative values throughout all of Georgia.

Darrel with T Gamble of Terrel County and Alton Harp of Albany

We deserve a conservative leader. For twenty years I served our country as a Marine Officer and as a leader. The United States Marine Corps entrusted me with very special leadership responsibilities. I served as a platoon commander and as a company commander. Here at the Marine Base, I was the United States Marine Corps’ representative to the country of Norway. I was the leader that the Marine Corps sent to Norway to preposition the supplies, equipment and ammunition to support a Marine Brigade in combat. This was the first program of it’s type, and I had the honor of standing up that program.

We deserve a conservative businessman to represent us in Atlanta. For twenty years Linda and I have built a family business around our family. We have built a business throughout the district with property in four of the five counties.

We only get to elect one Representative. If we elect a leader, we can have an impact throughout all of Georgia. So, check the resumes. Check the accomplishments. Send a representative who can share our views in Atlanta. Send a leader with the drive, integrity and determination to share our views throughout all of Georgia.

Thank you, and God bless you.