Candidates Rob Clifton and Paul Abbott speak out ahead of State House District 131 runoff
COLUMBIA COUNTY, Ga. (WJBF) – The runoff for State House District 131 in Columbia County is Tuesday.
Republicans Rob Clifton and Paul Abbott are vying for the seat to replace Jodi Lott who chose not to re-run.
Clifton and Abbott share many similar beliefs and campaign values.
Both have conservative platforms, but aren’t traditional candidates.
“I’m not a politician,” Abbott said.
“I’m not a politician. I’ll fight being called a politician till they day I’m done serving,” Clifton said.
Clifton is a construction business owner who is focused on issues like limiting the federal government’s power on businesses and investing in infrastructure.
“The amount of growth that we’ve had has been tremendous, but the focus on growth and making sure that as we grow we’re keeping these very conservative and traditional values and that we have what is almost the old school of living, we’re still keeping that here today,” he said.
He also wants to improve childcare in the area.
“We have facilities that have the ability to take more children in but the reality of it is they don’t have the teachers,” Clifton said. “So creating incentives, working with the state.”
Abbott is a veterans and former educator who is focused on helping teachers and parents, and keeping students safe.
“Some of the rural counties and urban districts are really feeling the teacher shortage. We need to make teaching appealing again and part of that is teachers feeling like they’re heard in the classroom and they’re supported,” he said.
He also said he wants to support small businesses in the county and protect women’s sports.
“If you want to make a transgender, you know group to compete I don’t have a problem with that, but boys should not compete against girls, period,” Abbott said. “It’s not fair, it’s unethical.”
Both candidates want to lower taxes, support law enforcement, bolster education, and help the county thrive.
“Who goes up to the state and who serves under this is going to be a big person in who’s fighting for the benefits of our county,” Clifton said. “I think we need someone again who is conservative, has a business mind, and is passionate about as we work through this, is willing to fight for stuff.”
“As your state representative I want to work to make sure we maintain our quality of life here. That we keep backing law enforcement because that’s what keeps our streets safe, and a great part of what makes Columbia County a great place to live, great schools. And I want to maintain that,” Abbott said.
Precincts will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday. It is not a countywide election. If you voted on a democratic ballot in the primary election or you don’t live in the district, you won’t be able to vote.
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