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Brian Kemp made campaign stop in Covington Monday
Kemp addressing crowd.jpg

COVINGTON, Ga. - Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp brought his campaign to Covington Monday afternoon, stopping at Martin’s Crossing Shopping Center for a rally with an enthusiastic group of supporters.  He was joined by U.S. Rep. Jody Hice and outgoing Governor Nathan Deal, along with several GOP local and statewide elected officials.

Kemp told The Covington News his top priority is putting Georgians first.

“That delves into my whole four-point plan when you think about making Georgia number one for small business,” he said. “Reforming state government, implementing a spending cap so we can cut taxes, strengthen rural Georgia and keep out families safe.

“I’ve got two plans to stop and dismantle street gangs and go after drug cartels. But it’s really having a governor that will put Georgians first - ahead of special interests. And you know the strings are attached to the socialist billionaires' big checks they’re writing in California and New York. They don’t have an interest in what’s made Georgia great or what will keep it great. They want to go a completely different direction.

The Georgia Secretary of State also dismissed a suggestion from former President Jimmy Carter that he “step aside and hand over to a neutral authority the responsibility of overseeing the governor’s election.”

”That’s just a political stunt,” Kemp told The News. "He’s already endorsed Stacey Abrams. I think he’s just trying to distract from her extreme agenda- higher taxes, bigger government, radical takeover of healthcare, giving government benefits – welfare and free college- to illegals. Getting illegals to vote for her. I think all of that is just to drive their turnout.

“They’re pushing that narrative at the same time we’re having record turnout.  As of 3:30 p.m., there have been 112,000 people that have voted today (Monday). That’s as many as voted on the first day. It’s never been easier to vote in Georgia than it is right now.”

Early voting continues through Friday. Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 6.

Early voting, municipal & special called election: what to know
Election coverage

As advanced voting for the municipal and countywide special called election is underway, here are some things to know about what is being voted for, when to vote, how to vote and polling locations.

MUNICIPAL ELECTION CANDIDATES

Mayor of Covington:

Fleeta Baggett

Kenneth Morgan

Felton Hudson

Eric Threets

James “Tim” Walden


Covington City Council:

Dania Bernard (E Post 3)

Jared Rutberg (E Post 3)

Travis Moore (E Post 2)

Carla Ferry (E Post 2)

Kim Johnson (W Post 1)


Mayor of Porterdale:

Kay Piper

Michael Patterson


Porterdale City Council:

Eric Russell (Post 1)

Rebekah Sewell (Post 1)

Linda Finger (Post 2) 

Halima Najah Muhammad (Post 2)


SPECIAL CALLED ELECTION

The countywide, special called election pertains to an increase in the homestead exemption for elderly taxpayers from the school tax portion of their tax bill.


WHEN TO VOTE

Early voting: Monday, Oct. 16 - Friday, Nov. 3

General election: Nov. 7


WAYS TO VOTE

  • Vote early in-person (Oct. 16 - Nov. 3)

Polls are open Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at two locations:

  1. Turner Lake Recreation Center - Banquet Room: 6185 Turner Lake Rd NW Covington, GA 30014
  2. Prospect Church at Oak Hill: 6752 GA 212 Covington, GA 30016

Early voting on Saturday is only available at the Turner Lake polling location on Saturday, Oct. 21 and 28 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.


  • Absentee ballot

Visit co.newton.ga.us/ways-to-vote or request an absentee ballot from the Board of Elections office at 1113 Usher Street, Ste. 103, Covington, GA 30014


  • Vote in-person on election day (Nov. 7)

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.


Those living in a city can vote for mayoral and city council candidates as well as the countywide, special called election at the same polling location.

Those living in an unincorporated area can only vote for the homestead tax exemption for those 65 and older. 


NEW POLLING LOCATION UPDATES (No changes made to voting districts)

  • Cedar Shoals Precinct – the polling location will be changed from Porterdale Baptist Church to Turner Lake Recreation Center (Banquet Room) 6185 Turner Lake Road NW Covington, Ga 30014
  • City Pond Precinct – the polling location will be changed from Central Community Church to Newton County Library 7116 Floyd Street NE, Covington, Ga 30014
  • Newborn Precinct – the polling location will be changed from Newborn Methodist Church to Mansfield Community Center, 3158 S Main Hwy 11, Mansfield, Ga 30055
  • Almon Precinct – the polling location will be changed from Newton Baptist Church to Shiloh United Methodist Church, located at 10 Almon Church Road, Covington, Ga 30014
  • Beaverdam Precinct – the polling location will be changed from Gateway Community Church to Voice of Pentecost, located at 4648 Salem Road, Covington, Ga 30016
  • Stansells Precinct – the polling location will be changed from Voice of Pentecost to St Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, located at 13108 Brown Bridge Road, Covington, Ga 30016

POLLING LOCATIONS CURRENTLY INACTIVE

  • Central Community Church
  • Gateway Community Church
  • Newborn United Methodist Church 
  • Newborn Baptist Church
  • Porterdale Baptist Church
For questions regarding the election and polling locations, visit the Newton County Board of Elections and Registration website, contact the board’s office at (770) 784-2055 and elections@co.newton.ga.us or check out the My Voter Page on the Secretary of State’s website.