North Georgia Congressman Doug Collins, who is now making a run for U.S. Senate, spent part of his day Thursday on the campaign trail with the man he hopes will replace him in Washington.
Collins, a Gainesville Republican, and Andrew Clyde, an Athens Republican, toured the King's Hawaiian facility in the South Hall area.
"I really wanted to bring him here to what is the heart of manufacturing in this part of the district," Collins said. "King's Hawaiian is a true success story. When they came here almost 10 years ago, they were able to select the site, buy the land, build the building before they could have even gotten the permitting in California."
Collins thought Clyde, a small business owner, would appreciate the King's Hawaiian story.
"This facility has stayed fully operational during the entire pandemic, which is a tribute to the management and the employees here," Clyde said, noting that the company plans to hire additional workers in the next year. "I applaud them. I applaud King's Hawaiian."
Collins, who has represented Georgia's Ninth District since 2013, is currently running in a special election for U.S. Senate to fill the unexpired term of longtime Georgia Senator Johnny Isakson. The post is currently occupied by Republican Kelly Loeffler, who was appointed to the job in December by Gov. Brian Kemp. Clyde has endorsed Collins in the special election.
"This Senate race is about being conservative and not being conservative," Collins told reporters. "For those of us who have a proven track record with local businesses like this...we don't have to reinvent ourselves and Sen. Loeffler has to reinvent herself every day."
Collins said he was glad to have Clyde's support and told reporters Clyde's election to office would make for a smooth transition for individuals and businesses in the district. That was one reason, Collins said, the two were traveling the district together.
"This is how the Ninth District can have continuity of leadership...so that come January, he hits the ground running without any hiccups," said Collins.
Clyde has Democratic opposition in November in Devin Pandy of Commerce.
