Rep. Mickey Channell Joins the GOP

GREENSBORO, GA (April 12, 2006) – State Representative Mickey Channell, a 14 year veteran of the Georgia House of Representatives, announced that he is running for re-election as a Republican. The announcement was made at the Yesterday Café on Main Street in downtown Greensboro, which once housed his father Melvin’s grocery store and his Uncle Ernest’s hardware store.

“I did not go to Atlanta in 1992 to represent the Democratic Party. As the first State Representative from this area since the early ‘60s, I went to represent the people of my district,” said Representative Channell. “Over the years my district number and the Democratic Party have changed but my values and my beliefs have not. I still believe public service is a high calling and my constituents still come first.

“The question today is whose legislative agenda comes closest to the view of the majority of the folks that I represent in Greene, Putnam, Wilkes and Oglethorpe counties. I concluded that to effectively represent my constituents’ needs in healthcare, education, economic development and quality of life issues it is time for me to join the Republican team.”

Representative Channell was joined at the podium by many distinguished members of the Georgia GOP. Constituents and local leaders from across the district were in attendance.

“I am pleased that Representative Mickey Channell will be joining the Republican team when he qualifies to run for re-election in his district,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “Mickey has served his constituents as a conservative voice in the General Assembly for many years, and we appreciate his 100 percent voting record on my legislative agenda during the 2006 session. We look forward to embracing his legislative experience and knowledge as a valued member of our team.”

Speaker of the House Glenn Richardson spoke in support of Representative Channell’s decision.

“Mickey Channell is a good man, a great Georgian and a dedicated public servant,” Speaker Richardson said. “He has been a valuable member of the Georgia House and I look forward to developing a closer working relationship with him in the coming years. He will be an asset to the Republican caucus and I know that he will continue working hard to make Georgia a better place to live.”

Mickey has worked closely with the Senate Leadership during his tenure in the House, as evidenced by President Pro Tempore Eric Johnson’s comment, “I served with Mickey in the House. I have worked with him as the Republican Leader and as the President Pro Tem of the State Senate. I have leaned on his expertise in healthcare and on his understanding of the needs of small business in rural Georgia. He is a man of integrity and wisdom. It takes courage to change parties. It also takes a respect for the people you represent. Mickey Channell has both.”

Locally, Rep. Channell’s announcement was received with great enthusiasm from the Greene County GOP.

“In 2001, we embarked on an extremely ambitious goal, and that goal was to have the conservative nature of our county reflected in local, state and national politics. Today, with Mickey Channell joining the Republican Party, our goal has finally been reached. This is a victory for everyone in Greene County, the roster is complete, the party is united and the future could not be brighter,” according to Brian Burdette, chair of the Greene County Republican Party.

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