DAHLONEGA, Ga. — Editor's note: The following segment was recorded before the assassination attempt on former President Trump. Watch our Voice of the Voter segment during The Georgia Vote Sundays at 11 a.m. on 11Alive.
Peak politics season has arrived and that means even more attention than usual will be paid to the politicians seeking headlines.
Despite the noise, 11Alive's Sunday politics show, The Georgia Vote, is committed to making sure the focus remains on the real Georgians who will cast their ballots in November.
Meet Tad Murdock, owner and head fly fishing guide at Georgia Wild Trout
The small business owner says educating future generations of anglers is his passion.
"The closer I get, the more I hear the water, the calmer I get," said Murdock. "Then it's time to go to work."
When asked what a perfect day on the water looks like when he's guiding, he said "it's not 'catch 100 fish.'"
"I like to see the growth," said Murdock. "I like my repeat customers. But I feel like after a day on the water with me if they can't get out and be fully confident and efficient out on their own I didn't do my job."
It's part practical education and part evangelism for a hobby he says has taken him all over the world.
"The river speaks my language," said the fisherman.
Issues he cares about
Foreign affairs
Murdock says he frequently goes on international fishing trips and pays close attention to geopolitics.
"If someone comes and has a clear plan on what they're going to do, what they want to do, I would like to see that," said Murdock as he reflected on the state of the 2024 election.
"That would probably entertain my vote more than anything else," he added.
The economy
A prominent "secondary" issue for him is inflation.
"I know for the guys that work for me and all that, it gouges them really hard," said Murdock. "Just gas prices alone, it's not a short drive to get anywhere here in north Georgia for the most part."
His biggest worry
According to Murdock, he's most concerned right now about who will be on the ballot in November.
"The ballot's the biggest question mark," said the angler. "Will Biden make it there? What happens with Trump's legal stuff?"
His questions follow months of challenging developments for the two major party presidential candidates.
In late May, former President Donald Trump was convicted in a New York hush money trial.
More recently, President Biden has worked to fend off questions about the continued viability of his re-election candidacy following a politically damaging performance on the debate stage in Atlanta in late June.
What he's optimistic about
"I like the fact that more people are questioning just the narratives they're told," said Murdock. "It leads into a healthier system overall."
Watch our Voice of the Voter segment during The Georgia Vote Sundays at 11 a.m. on 11Alive.