For the first time in eight years, Georgians will elect a new governor in 2018.
Seven Republicans and two Democrats are seeking to replace Gov. Nathan Deal, who cannot run for a third term. Between now and primary day May 22, 11Alive.com will be bringing you a series of Q&A’s with each candidate who answers our questionnaire.
Today's interview is with Clay Tippins, whom you can learn more about at his campaign website.
Also, look for more extensive coverage of this race and others until Election Day, Nov. 6, as Georgia Votes 2018.
What is the No. 1 challenge facing the state?
The number one challenge facing Georgia that will continue to have a profound impact on our state long into the future is our abysmal third grade reading rate. In Georgia, only a third of our third graders read at a third-grade level.
Third grade reading rates are the number one predictive indicator of a child’s future success. If we want to know how many prison beds Georgia will need in 15 years, look at our third-grade reading rates. A child who grows up in a home where their parents don’t read to them will hear 30 million fewer words by the time they enter third grade than a child whose parents do. This begins a crack in that child’s life that will continue to grow as that child reaches adulthood. A child who can’t read won’t be able to write a book report, read a technical manual, or apply for college or a job in the future.
To ensure the success of our state, we must make sure our children can read.
If elected, how would you prioritize Atlanta’s needs compared to other cities and counties in Georgia?
I will be a governor for all Georgians. Rural Georgia presents us with some real challenges as well as some real opportunities. There’s a lot of talk about bringing Amazon to Atlanta, but what Georgia needs are Amazon-caliber opportunities for rural Georgia.
The first step in rural development is providing rural Georgians with access to high speed internet. Beyond internet, we need to consider encouraging our vibrant film industry to go film in our rural communities.
We need to provide rural Georgians with access to quality healthcare. One way we could make healthcare more accessible for rural Georgians is using ambulances, which are emergency rooms on wheels, to diagnose and treat patients in rural areas. All Georgians will thrive when our leaders think outside of Atlanta’s borders.
A central part of your story focuses on your military service and business experience. How do you hope to translate these elements into an electoral success against some much higher-profile and better-funded GOP opponents?
Being an SEAL and technology business executive has provided me with a unique skill set. I have a different way of solving problems. My experience has given me a whatever it takes approach to tackling difficult challenges. To make Georgia the first 21st century state and get results, Georgia needs a governor with my skills and mindset. This is what resonates with the folks I speak to and this is what voters in Georgia are looking for in their next leader. I am the only candidate that offers voters a real alternative to the status quo, career politicians; and that’s how we win.
