I had a chance to meet Jeff Chapman last night when he came to Albany to speak with me “on his way” back home to Brunswick, and it was a really great conversation.
Chapman is the Republican running for Governor that you’ve probably never heard of – but should. He is most well known for his vocal opposition to a case of attempted eminent domain (legal property theft) regarding a major developer (and Republican donor) and his plans for Jekyll Island.
Chapman is not the Chair of any committee in the Ga Senate, and he was removed from the Transportation committee due to casting the lone nay vote against a bill that Senate Leadership wanted a unanimous recommendation from committee on. His Agreeability Index is 319 – the third lowest among Senate Republicans who are not the President Pro-Tem, behind only John Bulloch and Dan Weber. He is known as a bit of a maverick within the Caucus, and not one who can be strong-armed into voting against his beliefs.
On the three bills that I look at with any candidate who was a member of the General Assembly last year, Chapman voted AGAINST SB 31, the Nuclear Power Financing Act, AGAINST HB 614, the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, and FOR HB 160, Super Speeder. He says that he doesn’t truly make up his mind on a bill until it has been presented on the Floor and its carrier has had a chance to speak on the merits of the bill.
Chapman also spoke of the time he served on his local County Commission, and how he was instrumental in getting live TV coverage of the Commission meetings. He said that transparency in government isn’t just a buzzword with him, he has the record to prove he means it.
Overall, it was a great chance to talk with a sitting State Senator and Governor candidate, and I look forward to seeing more from him.
I’ve known Senator Chapman for many years and was thrilled when he put his hat in the ring for Governor. Many of us talk about finding a politician that will do what is right for the tax payer and the State of Georgia rather than carry the water for the party. We have that man in Jeff Chapman and I encourage everyone to vote for him.