April 29, 2009--Gary Horlacher Formally Launches Campaign

    This morning, Gary Horlacher officially launched his campaign for Georgia Secretary of State, delivering a brief speech to members of the press:
    "Let me begin by telling you why I am running for Secretary of State. Being responsible for overseeing our state’s election process in a fair, diligent and completely nonpartisan manner is among the most important functions of our government. The partisan shenanigans of the current Secretary of State are very clear illustrations of how this office should not be administered. In addition to overseeing our elections, this office is also responsible for issuing licenses to over 400,000 Georgians in various professions, and administering 36 State Licensing Boards. The Secretary of State is also responsible for making sure that corporate registrations and annual renewals are streamlined, efficient and utilizing modern technology techniques as much as possible. The fourth area of responsibility is safeguarding and regulating the sale of securities in Georgia including stocks, bonds, derivatives, as well as regulating perpetual care cemeteries, and registering and regulating charitable organizations. Given the scams that have been revealed recently in our sinking economy, this function of the office is crucial. The fifth area is preserving and promoting the State’s archives. I really believe we could do a much better job at making this a citizen-friendly adventure.
    "Throughout my entire career, I have acquired a terrific blend of qualifications for this office.  While this is my first run for office, I have as much campaign and “Gold Dome” experience as anyone on this ballot. If you dial the clock all the way back to my college days, I was awarded a legislative internship by the person who, back then, had just taken over the intern program at UGA, but, who today has now become the political-analysis-guru of all Georgia politics, Dr. Charles Bulloch. Since Dr. Bulloch first infected me with this political virus, I have worked under the Dome for 31 Sessions. While I have never formally cast that yea-or-nay vote, I am as versed in how the system works as anyone should ever be. And here’s why: Upon graduating from law school, I was chosen to be the Legal Aide for the House Judiciary Committee where I actually had the opportunity to work with the Legislative Counsels office to actually draft legislation. After that, I became an Assistant Commissioner of Labor and oversaw the Legislative issues, and the safety inspection, labor statistics, and business development divisions. I also worked as The Manager of Government Relations for Oglethorpe Power and the EMCs. 
    "Throughout my career, I have always remained deeply immersed in politics. I have literally worked on campaigns as a staffer or advisor at every level of government. For example, in the 1982 Governor’s Race, I got to travel with my candidate, Norman Underwood, to every single county in this state. How many candidates in this cycle will be able to claim that? In 1986 I managed the successful campaign of Joe Tanner for Labor Commissioner, in 1990 I managed the campaign of George Berry for Lt. Governor, and in 1998 I worked on Roy Barnes’ successful campaign for Governor as his Press Secretary. In 2001, I was one of the first to volunteer for this woman running to be Atlanta’s first female Mayor, Shirley Franklin.
    "For the last nine years, I have been practicing law and representing clients on a wide array of policy issues which has also provided me two additional qualifications for this office. I have provided clients with legal advice on Georgia’s Election Laws and on the compliance requirements of the Ethics in Government Act. I have also lobbied on behalf of clients at the Dome on issues involving technology, healthcare, environmental, transportation, land use, labor & employment, and many other areas. This diverse set of issues has provided me with an extraordinary opportunity for understanding the wide array of very serious issues confronting our state. This diversity is particularly applicable to the Licensing Boards functions of the Secretary’s office. 
    "Bottom-line, thirty plus years of campaign experience at every level of government, thirty plus years under the Gold Dome with legislative and executive experience from drafting legislation, managing budgets and departmental policy decisions, along with nine years of formal legal practice involving election law and ethics compliance has provided me the tools to do this job. This career path has nurtured my passion for public service. The primary factor that has made me step up now and cross over to this side of the microphone is the very serious comatose condition that has set in on our government when it comes to solving the very real and severe problems we face. This dereliction of duty has resulted in a significant erosion of the public’s trust in their government. Which brings me to what I believe must be the first and most important step in beginning to get our government functioning again, rebuilding the bridge of trust between the citizens of Georgia and their elected officials."