Friday March 29th, 2024 4:29AM

Hice says he'll challenge Secretary of State Raffensparger in 2022

U.S. Rep. Jody Hice said Monday morning he will mount a primary challenge to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger in 2020, leaving Congress after eight years.

Hice, R-Greensboro, has been critical of the way Raffensperger handled the 2020 elections in Georgia, charging Raffensperger destroyed the integrity of the state's elections.

"We have all watched the absolute catastrophe that took place in this last election in right here in Georgia," Hice told WDUN. "Our Secretary of State just destroyed election integrity in our state, opened wide the door for potential fraudulent activity and I believe many people walked through that door."

Hice becomes the second person to announce a challenge to Raffensperger. David Belle Isle, an attorney and former mayor of Alpharetta said Sunday he will enter the primary, too. Isle was the runner-up to Raffensperger in 2018. Raffensperger has previously said he will seek re-election.

Hice is expected to get the endorsement of former President Donald Trump, who phoned Raffensperger after last November's election to discuss possible fraud.

"We'll see," Hice said of a possible endorsement. "The president will do what he's going to do, but in my conversations, he's been very supportive."

Hice made his comments Monday morning during a radio town hall as part of WDUN's "Morning Talk with Martha Zoller."

Hice said he is been concerned about the integrity of Georgia's elections for some time and is particularly troubled that voters may have lost confidence in the system.

"The time has come to take back the integrity of the elections in this state, and I believe it's time or Brad Raffensperger to go," he said. "I believe I'm the most equipped to take over that and restore the confidence of the voters of Georgia."

Hice was perhaps Raffensperger's biggest critic in Congress. Hours after a riot on Capitol Hill failed to stop the counting of electoral college votes, Hice introduced an objection to Georgia's electoral votes. The effort ultimately failed when Sen. Kelly Loeffler chose not to support it.

"Though I am encouraged to see the General Assembly taking it upon themselves to address some glaring issues in our elections, Georgia deserves a Secretary of State who will own the responsibility of the office," Hice said. "If elected I will instill confidence in our election process in our election process by upholding the Georgia Constitution, enforcing meaningful reform and aggressively pursuing those who commit voter fraud."

Hice's departure from the 10th congressional district seat in Washington is likely to attract a large field of contenders, as often happens with open seats.

Former U.S. Rep. Paul Broun endorsed Hice for Secretary of State and said he was considering running for Hice's seat in Congress.

Among other Republicans who might consider a run are trucking executive Mike Collins, who lost to Hice in a 2014 runoff, State Rep. Houston Gaines of Athens and Sen. Bill Cowsert of Athens.

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