(The Center Square) – The head of the Georgia Republican Party said he was deeply disappointed and shocked at the arrest of state Sen. Colton Moore before Gov. Brian Kemp’s State of the State address.
House Speaker Jon Burns, also a Republican, banned Moore from the chambers for what Burns called “vile” comments about late House Speaker David Ralston in March 2024, according to reports. Burns said Moore, a Republican from Trenton, could return if he apologized for his comments.
Moore said he was going to attend Thursday’s address in a series of social media posts. A video from Moore’s X page shows him being arrested by Georgia State Troopers while trying to enter the House Chamber.
“No duly elected member of the State House or State Senate, regardless of party or position on an issue of the day, should be denied the opportunity to represent the people who elected them at any such joint session, wherever it is taking place,” said Georgia GOP Chairman Josh McKoon in a statement. “I am deeply disappointed that Senator Moore was denied admission and shocked that he was apparently subjected to arrest for attempting to attend the joint session today, after being physically manhandled. It was not only legally appropriate to admit him to today’s proceedings – it was simply the right thing to do.”
The Center Square was unsuccessful have a message to Burns’ office returned before publication.
