Graves Signs Repeal It! Pledge

Becomes 1st Candidate in GA-09 to agree to repeal Obama Care

State Representative and Republican 9th District congressional candidate Tom Graves (R-Ranger) announced today that he signed the Club for Growth’s Repeal It! pledge agreeing, once elected, to sponsor and support legislation to repeal the Obama health care reform bill.

The Club for Growth launched the Repeal It! pledge program today and Graves’ became one of the first candidates in the nation to sign the pledge and the first candidate in Georgia’s 9th Congressional District.

“President Obama’s and congressional Democrats’ plan for the federal government’s takeover of our health care system will lead to higher taxes on small businesses, higher premiums for families, opens the door for taxpayer-funded abortions and will do nothing to make health care more affordable,” said Graves. “By becoming one of the first candidates in the nation to sign this pledge, Georgians know that I am the conservative who is committed to turning back these liberal policies that are driving this country to the brink of bankruptcy.”

The Repeal It! pledge states:

“I, Tom Graves, hereby pledge to the people of my district (GA-09) upon my election to the U.S. House of Representatives, to sponsor and support legislation to repeal any federal health care takeover passed in 2010, and replace it with real reforms that lower health care costs without growing government.”

Graves has been outspoken in his opposition to the Democrats’ health plans that passed the House and Senate last year. He has said health care reforms should be Patient-Centered and Patient-Driven to make health care more affordable, portable and accessible and implemented through the free-market, not by expanding and growing government.

Graves released his Patient Centered Patient Driven health care reform principles last year.

The Club for Growth is the nation’s premier free-market, free enterprise group of conservatives and the Club for Growth PAC endorsed Graves’ candidacy last September.

Graves announced earlier this year he would seek the 9th District Congressional seat, which is currently held by Congressman n Deal who is running for Governor.

Graves was the first candidate to be certified 100 percent pro-life by the Georgia Right to Life PAC. He has earned the endorsement of Miss United States 2009 Erin Grizzle, Can-Do Conservatives and conservative author Jonathan Krohn. The Graves campaign is earning the support of conservatives throughout the 9th District, overwhelmingly won the only two straw polls and leads all candidates in fundraising for the election cycle from over 1,110 contributors. The campaign continues to have the largest online presence of any candidate in the congressional race, has over 400 grassroots volunteers and is organized in all 15 counties of the district.

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Graves, who is in his fourth term representing House District 12, was first elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 2002. He has chaired numerous subcommittees, served in several leadership positions and been recognized statewide as a conservative leader. He received a 2009 “National Legislator of the Year” from the American Legislative Exchange Council, a 2009 “Guardian of Small Business” Award from the National Federation of Independent Business, the 2009 “Legislator of the Year” Award from the Georgia Retail Association, the 2009 “Legislator of the Year” from the 9th Congressional District of Georgia and was nationally recognized as the “Legislative Entrepreneur of the Year Award” by the Freedom Works Foundation for his tireless effort to stem the tide of expansive government and reduce the tax burden on Georgians. Georgia Trend named Graves to its 2009 “40 under 40, Georgia’s Best and the Brightest.”

Graves grew up in White, Georgia and graduated from the University of Georgia, where he earned a Bachelors of Business Administration in Finance. Graves is a small businessman, past member of the Gordon County Board of Elections and an active member of the Gordon County Chamber of Commerce. He is married to Julie, a native of Marietta, and the couple has three children, JoAnn, John and Janey. They attend the Belmont Baptist Church in Calhoun where Graves is an ordained Deacon.
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Graves Address Taxpayer March on Washington

State Rep. Tom Graves (R-Ranger), Republican candidate for Georgia’s 9th District, spoke to an estimated 1.5 million individuals and a nation-wide television audience at today’s Taxpayer March on Washington. Graves was one of a handful of elected officials to address the Tea Party on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol.

“We must take back America, the Republic. And we must push back this over reaching, over taxing, over burdensome, money hungry government that seeks to preserve itself at our liberty,” said Graves.

“We will demand from Washington…we will demand less spending, not deficit spending…we will demand a balanced-budget, not a pork-filled budget…we will demand personal responsibility, not the bureaucratic nanny…and yes, yes we will demand empower the patriots and not the politicians anymore,” said Graves.

“Here at this capitol on this high ground, we are bound together. Here together united and we will be steadfast and resolved in preserving America and her liberty. And, may today be forever known as the day that we stood together and said in one voice, ‘Don’t Tread on Me!’” added Graves.

Prior to the Tea Party, Graves led hundreds of Georgians in the March from Freedom Plaza in downtown Washington, D.C., down Pennsylvania Avenue to the U.S. Capitol building.

Graves joined other notable conservatives at the U.S. Capitol, including Georgia Congressman and Chairman of the conservative Republican Study Committee Tom Price, Chairman of the House Republican Conference Mike Pence, Tennessee Congressman Marsha Blackburn and South Carolina U.S. Senator Jim DeMint.

Graves was invited to speak because of his conservative leadership in the Georgia House of Representatives and for authoring the Jobs, Opportunity and Business Success Act, HB 481 and 482, last session. The JOBS Act received national attention and was focused on helping small businesses and creating, expanding and attracting jobs through a series of tax credits, cuts, and incentives for businesses to hire Georgians.

Organizers of the Taxpayer March on Washington and Tea Party Rally said the purpose of the March was to send a “clear message that governments at all levels have been spending way too much money. The federal government is especially guilty of this, as they pile up the debt, deficits and unfunded liabilities. They are taxing, borrowing or printing money with no end in sight. This madness has to stop, and that is why we are demanding that they stop the wasteful spending and stop burdening taxpayers with more debt. This protest is about defending our liberty, and about restoring our Constitution by reducing the size and scope of the federal government,” according the group’s website.

Graves was also a speaker at the Atlanta Tea Party at the Georgia State Capitol last April.
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Graves To Speak AT Georgia March On Washington Rendezvous Rally

State Rep. Tom Graves (R-Ranger), Republican candidate for Congress in Georgia’s 9th District, will attend tomorrow’s Georgia March on Washington Rendezvous Rally in Roswell. Georgians from across the state will gather before departing for Washington to attend Saturday’s Taxpayer March on Washington and Tea Party. Graves will be a featured speaker at the rendezvous rally, which begins at 10:00 am at the Georgia-Killer Creek Harley-Davidson.

Graves will also attend the Taxpayer March and Tea Party in Washington, D.C. where he will be a speaker on the West Front Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Graves was invited by organizers of the March and Tea Party and is one of a handful of elected officials speaking. Georgia Congressman Tom Price, MD will also join Graves as a speaker. Graves announced he was invited to speak in a video to GA-9 Freedom Fighters yesterday. Click here to view the video.

WHO: State Rep. Tom Graves, Republican candidate for Congress in Georgia’s 9th District

WHAT: Georgia March on Washington Rendezvous Rally

WHEN: Thursday, September 10, 2009 ~ 10:00 a.m.

WHERE: Georgia- Killer Creek Harley-Davidson11480 Alpharetta HwyRoswell, GA 30076
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Americans for Prosperity Applauds U.S. Congressional Candidate Tom Graves

-Signs No Climate Tax Pledge-

The Georgia chapter of the grassroots free-market organization Americans for Prosperity (AFP-GA) today applauded U.S. Congressional Candidate Tom Graves (9th District) for signing the group’s “No Climate Tax Pledge.” Graves joins over 240 lawmakers on the federal, state and local levels pledging to “oppose legislation relating to climate change that includes a net increase in federal revenue.”

“The one thing elected officials should all be able to agree on is that global warming shouldn’t be used as an excuse to hike taxes on citizens and businesses,” said AFP-GA State Director Virginia Galloway. “We encourage all of Georgia’s elected officials and candidates for elected office to sign the pledge.”

Georgia pledge signers include: U.S. Reps. Lynn Westmoreland, Tom Price, Paul Broun, and Phil Gingrey; gubernatorial candidate John Oxendine; State Senate President Pro Tempore Eric Johnson; and State Reps. Martin Scott and Tim Bearden.

Cap-and-trade took its first step toward enactment when the U.S. House narrowly passed the Waxman-Markey energy bill, which escaped the lower chamber by a scant seven votes despite significant bipartisan opposition. However, key Democratic senators have expressed opposition to attempting to pass cap-and-trade this year. President Obama has made no secret of his support for the bill, which would be the largest tax increase in American history. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office has scored the plan as an $846 billion increase in federal revenue, a burden that will be borne by taxpayers and consumers for decades to come.

“Using the guise of climate change to transfer dollars from hard-working citizens to bureaucratic big government is unacceptable,” said Galloway. “Regardless of their stance on global warming, this should be common ground for all of our elected officials at all levels of government.”

The pledge is available online at www.NoClimateTax.com. AFP does not endorse candidates. All elected officials and candidates are encouraged to sign the pledge and go on the record in opposition to using the climate change issue to increase taxes and grow the size of government.

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is a nationwide organization of citizen leaders committed to advancing every individual’s right to economic freedom and opportunity. AFP believes reducing the size and scope of government is the best safeguard to ensuring individual productivity and prosperity for all Americans. AFP educates and engages citizens in support of restraining state and federal government growth, and returning government to its constitutional limits. AFP has more than 700,000 members, including members in all 50 states, and 25 state chapters. For more information, visit www.americansforprosperity.org
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Graves To Host 4th Annual Corn Roast AND FREEDOM RALLY

Georgia State Representative and Republican 9th Congressional District candidate Tom Graves (R-Ranger) will hold his campaign’s annual corn roast this Saturday, August 29th at Sandy Bottom Farm in Tate, Georgia. This will be the 4th corn roast Graves has hosted for friends, families and supporters and the event begins at 11:00 a.m. and ends at 2:00 p.m. Roast corn, bbq and all the sides will be served and speeches by Graves and other supporters will be given. The public and press are invited to attend.

WHO: Georgia State Representative and Republican 9th District congressional candidate Tom Graves
State Senator Chip Pearson
State Representative Stephen Allison
State Representative Jay Neal
State Representative Martin Scott

WHAT: 4th Annual Corn Roast and Freedom Rally

WHEN: Saturday, August 29, 2009 ~ 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

WHERE: Sandy Bottom Farm Tate, GA

Family $25 – Individual $10

Directions: (From Tate, GA) Go east on HWY 53; once you pass the Tate Historic House go approximately 2 miles and take a left on Sandy Bottom Farm Rd. East. There will be "Graves for Congress" signs marking the entrance.

annemarie@gravesforcongress.org

Contributions are not tax deductable as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. Contributions are prohibited from corporations and foreign nationals. Federal law requires Graves for Congress to use its best efforts to collect and report the name, mailing address and occupation and employer of individuals whose contributions exceed $200 in an election cycle.

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Graves Launches New Campaign Website

Site enhances largest presence on the web of any of the candidates

Republican State Representative Tom Graves (R-Ranger), candidate for the 9th Congressional District of Georgia, announced today that his new campaign website www.GravesForCongress.org is live on the internet and brings a fresh style of campaign website design online for the 2010 election cycle in Georgia.

“My new site allows 9th District voters to become more involved in our campaign by staying up-to-date on our activities and learn more about how I’ll represent them in Congress,” said Graves. “We’ll use this website to spread our message of protecting liberty and empowering people.”

At the site, voters are able to get campaign updates through Twitter and Tom’s Blog, view videos and pictures from the campaign trail and learn more about the four-term State Representative and his positions, as well as have access to important information regarding voting in the 2010 election.

Graves said the site will be updated frequently and voters should visit often to get current information regarding the campaign and his travels around Georgia’s 9th District.

The new website only enhances Graves’ online campaign, which is the largest among the candidates in the race. Now with the website, multiple Facebook pages and a massive email distribution list, Graves has the ability to instantly reach out to voters across the North Georgia district.

The site also incorporates a petition 9th District voters may sign calling on President Obama and Congressional leaders to make health care reforms “Patient Centered and Patient Driven”. Graves is traveling the district advocating for free market reforms that make health care choices more affordable, portable and accessible.

“These functions will be extremely helpful in getting our message out to the communities throughout the district," added Graves.

Click here for a direct link to the new site: www.GravesForCongress.org.
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Graves Raises $116,540 in 35 Days For Congressional Campaign

Republican State Representative Tom Graves (R-Ranger), candidate for the 9th Congressional District of Georgia, revealed that his campaign for Congress raised $116,540 from 183 contributors in just 35 days. Graves made the disclosure today when filing his campaign’s first fundraising report with the Federal Election Commission, which also showed he had $115,897 remaining cash-on-hand.

Graves received contributions from 14 counties in the 9th Congressional District.

“Julie and I are humbled by the tremendous support we’ve received from Georgians across the district. We are excited about the enthusiasm our campaign has received over the past weeks and we look forward to continuing our message across the district as we focus on taking a little North Georgia common sense to Washington during these challenging days.” said Graves.

Key Facts About Graves’ Disclosure
Dates $ Raised
May 27 - June 30, 2009
Total Raised
$116,540
Total # of Contributors
183
% from Georgia
98.4%
Cash-on-hand
$115,897

Graves also announced his campaign’s initial Finance Committee, which includes Jim Walters of Gainesville, Paul Maney of Oakwood, Gary Copeland of Jasper, Phil Neff of Dalton, Ardis and Charles McCain of Big Canoe, Craig Brock of Chatsworth, and Tony Farrell and Randall Fox of Calhoun. The campaign’s Finance Committee is enhanced by the generous support of other business and community leaders such as Bill Hammock of C.W. Matthews Contracting Company, Dahlonega’s Mike Cottrell of Cottrell, Inc., Joe Hatfield of Fieldcrest Farms, WSB radio talk show host Herman Cain, Rob Robinson and Joe Reed of Gainesville and Wes Hixon of Wildwood.

The Graves campaign is organized with grassroots leaders in all 15 counties of the 9th District.

“Now more than ever, North Georgians need a leader in Washington who’s not afraid to buck the status quo. I’ve been tested and you can always count on me to fight for sound economic policies, less government and more personal freedom. This campaign will be about the right values, the right solutions and what is right for Georgia,” added Graves.

The FEC requires candidates for federal office to periodically file campaign finance reports. While the reports due today cover the period April 1 through June 30, 2009, Graves’ report only included activity after May 27 when he received his first contribution.