A fourth Republican candidate for the newly created 9th Congressional District has announced that he will run for the seat.
Roger Fitzpatrick, a lifelong resident of White County, has announced his candidacy for the new Congressional district — which serves most of Northeast Georgia, including Jackson, Banks and Madison counties.
Radio host Martha Zoller, State Rep. Doug Collins, Jackson County Board of Commissioners chairman Hunter Bicknell and former Hall County chamber of commerce executive Clifton McDuffie have also announced their candidacy. Qualifying will be held in May.
“I am running for Congress because I love this country and I see it going in the wrong direction,” Fitzpatrick said in a statement. “I want to play a role in turning this great country around and making it greater than it’s ever been. We have so many issues facing us, and we need to deal with them head-on. I do not want our children and grandchildren bearing the ever-increasing burden created by the foolish decisions of our leaders. I want to be part of the solution that returns this nation to the foundational truths upon which it was established.”
Fitzpatrick, who will retire from his position as principal of Mossy Creek Elementary in White County at the end of this school year, will run as a Republican.
“I’m running as a Republican because it is the party that most closely aligns with my conservative views on how government is supposed to function,” he said. “However, as I look at those currently serving in Congress, what I see is a lot of blaming. The Democrats blame the Republicans, and the Republicans blame the Democrats. It’s time to stop blaming ‘the other side’ and realize we are all Americans first, and we all need to work together to solve the problems facing us.”
Fitzpatrick and his wife, Linda, who is a Christian author, have been married 26 years and have two sons. Ryan Hulsey is married to Ginger Vandiver Hulsey, and they have a daughter named Avery. Their other son, Zach Hulsey has a son named Cameron. They attend church at Fellowship of Living Praise in Clermont.
For more information, e-mail rogerfitzpatrick4congress@gmail.com or visit www.fitzpatrick4congress.com.
