As a veteran with decades of service, including overseas deployments, I’ve witnessed the resilience of democracies in the face of adversity and the strength it takes to protect the freedoms we often take for granted here at home.
In other countries, elections have been marred by violence, intimidation, and manipulation, often putting voters at great risk simply for showing up to the polls. These experiences have given me an unwavering appreciation for the stability and security of our own election systems here in the United States.
This past Election Day, however, our own Georgia faced challenges more reminiscent of the dangers seen abroad. In multiple counties across our state, bomb threats, reportedly emanating from Russia, disrupted the peace and threatened to upend the election process.
These threats were intended to scare voters, undermine confidence, and, ultimately, disenfranchise Georgians.
Yet, thanks to the swift, coordinated response from election workers and first responders, public safety was preserved, and the right to vote was upheld. It was a true testament to the strength of our election system and the people who protect it.
As a law enforcement officer and veteran, I want to express my deep gratitude to Georgia’s election workers and first responders who came together seamlessly to ensure voters could exercise their rights safely. These dedicated individuals – our neighbors, friends, and family members – worked tirelessly under intense pressure. Despite the attempts to spread fear, they stood resolute, upholding the security and transparency that are the cornerstones of our democracy.
With Georgia as a “must-win” battleground, we all know how crucial election integrity is, not just to our state but to the entire nation. That’s why I partnered with RightCount, to emphasize the fact that Georgia has implemented some of the most secure voting measures in the country, from stringent Voter ID requirements to absentee ballot tracking.
The assertions by Stacy Abrams, the ACLU, and others from the Left that these actions would reduce voter turnout never materialized. A record 5.28 million Georgia voters turned out in this year’s election, shattering the previous high set four years ago.
I will tell you what these safeguards have done: earned Georgia top ratings for election integrity from the Heritage Foundation and the Bipartisan Policy Center, reinforcing voters’ confidence in a system designed to be secure, fair and transparent.
The recent political rhetoric aimed at undermining election legitimacy is troubling. There is no place for threats, intimidation, or violence in our democracy. We cannot allow baseless attacks to overshadow the tireless work of our election officials and community members. Those who try to shake the foundations of our democracy with threats and violence must be held accountable.
As a veteran who has dedicated my life to protecting this country’s values, I was also proud to join the many veteran service organizations that encouraged veterans to serve as poll workers and condemning violence against election workers.
But our work doesn’t end with Election Day.
Moving forward, RightCount will continue to advocate for transparency and accountability in our elections. Public trust in election outcomes is strengthened when people understand the care and dedication that go into every step of the process. Together, we will build on the success of this election, supporting initiatives that keep our election process strong, safe, and open to all.
America remains a beacon of democracy around the world, and Georgia has proven once again that we stand ready to protect it. Together, let’s ensure our state remains a model of effective governance and a place where voters can exercise their rights free from intimidation.
