Brandon Beach (R-Alpharetta) believes he still has a lot of work to do in the Senate for the state and the constituents of District 21. That, he says, was the deciding factor in his decision Thursday to end his campaign for the U.S. Congress. Only minutes after making the announcement, Beach gave an exclusive interview to InsiderAdvantage.
State Sen. Brandon Beach
Beach was one of a host of candidates in the 6th Congressional District campaign for Congress. The district was home to the most expensive House race in congressional history in 2017, when Karen Handel and Jon Ossoff faced off to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Tom Price. Handel won, but was defeated by Democratic gun control activist Lucy McBath a year later.
Beach says he has “struggled with the decision” the past few weeks. But finally came to the conclusion that he could better serve Georgia and his constituents from his Senator’s role.
“During this campaign, I have come to realize that a calling to public service does not always mean running for higher office,” said Beach. “After speaking with Governor Kemp this weekend, I believe that, at this time, I can help more Georgians in the position I currently hold and be more effective in the State Senate than in Congress.”
Beach pointed to his work with the Freight and Logistics Commission, Gaming Commission and E-Scooters study committee as areas of focus for him. “There is a lot going on in these areas, and I feel like I still have a lot of work to do right here in the State Senate. I believe I can make more of a difference right here.”
“I still feel strongly that we must elect bold candidates to federal office who can go beyond the rhetoric and advance common-sense conservative policies and practical solutions to the many challenges facing people across the 6th district and our State,” Beach said in a press release that went out Thursday.
Beach said, with that in mind he will qualify to run for re-election for Senate District 21 next year. “If I have the honor to be re-elected, I will continue to work tirelessly for the citizens of North Fulton and Cherokee County to ensure a better quality of life and ensure Georgia continues to be the No. 1 state to do business in,” he said.
“Elected office was not my life’s desire, but a calling. I first entered the public service arena as President of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, where I reversed years of mismanagement and debt to create one of Georgia’s most preeminent and well-run business organizations,” Beach said. “That experience fueled my desire to serve in the State Senate, where I demonstrated a commitment to conservative principles by cutting taxes, reducing regulations, investing in education and infrastructure. We put politics aside and were able to accomplish great things for Georgia.
Beach said Governor Brian Kemp supports his decision and included a statement from the Governor in his release:
“I applaud Senator Beach for his willingness to serve in Congress but respect his decision to remain in the State Senate. Quite honestly, we need bold leadership under the Gold Dome to continue our success and keep Georgia the best place to live, work, and raise a family. At the State Capitol, Senator Beach has led efforts to cut red tape and eliminate burdensome regulations on job creators. He has championed crucial infrastructure projects and reforms and worked to protect our conservative Georgia values. I look forward to partnering with Senator Beach in the years to come to lower healthcare costs, protect our families from gangs, enhance our educational outcomes and put hardworking Georgians first.”
Beach’s District 21 was among the targets of Advance Georgia, a new non-profit organization in Georgia, strongly supported by Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, created “to preserve and protect the Republican majority in the State Senate.”
Advance Georgia, Inc. kicked off its efforts in September with a fundraiser at SunTrust Park. Organizers have already raised over $300,000 in their efforts to “focus on protecting potentially vulnerable districts and looking for ways to build the caucus. All of the funds raised through this initiative will go to efforts to defend four Republican incumbents, to hold two seats currently held by Republicans who are resigning to run for the U.S. House, and to win back two seats recently flipped by Democrats.
Beach is expected to endorse former Congresswoman Karen Handel who is in the Primary.
