In recent days, buzz has surrounded the Democratic primary race between Justin O’Dell and Diana Eckles, both Candidates for State House District 41. Primary races are always contentious, and some more than others. Below is a response from Justin O’Dell that we have agreed to post. We’ve made the same offer to publish either a Q&A or candidate profile for Diana Eckles, which will be up asap. We all have friends on both sides of this contest, so let’s try and deal with this as amicably as possible so we may all remain friends afterwards. This in no way constitutes an endorsement of this candidate on the part of any authors of this site. Thank you.
Q: Let’s get to it, why are you running in the Democratic Primary?
A: First, I am a Democrat. My ideals, views and positions are now and have been aligned with the Democratic Party, particularly on social issues. This is even more true today as these social issues are being pressed to the forefront of the debate. The recent legislative sessions only reinforced my decision. In fact, the past Chair of the Cobb Republican Women called me the other day in reaction to some of this buzz. She stated, “Justin, I don’t know what they are talking about, you have been arguing with me for years.” By way of example, I am strongly opposed to HB 87 (immigration), strongly opposed to the requirement of drug testing for welfare benefits and I believe that HB 954 (restricting a woman’s rights to abortion) was one of the most offensive pieces of legislation promulgated since I came to Georgia.
Q: What about your Votebuilder profile?
A: Voting is an ineffective way to rate someone. I believe that a person should be evaluated on the content of their character, not a piece of paper. People vote in elections for a variety of reasons. Quite often, in Cobb County, there are no Democratic contested primaries. In other instances, it is important to vote for a particular seat in order to effect change. Take July 2010 for example, the most important race that year for me (and most lawyers) was the State Senate. John Wiles, who had become very extremist, hostile and non-responsive, was being challenged by Lindsey Tippins. That race took priority for me over the Governor’s primary, particularly in light of the fact that most polling data had Roy Barnes clearly the primary comfortably. I was actively and openly supporting Gov. Barnes at the time, but my vote in the State Senate, in what was sure to be a close race, took priority. In July 2008, I had a similar situation with no contested primaries. In this presidential year, the only contested choice was in the Republican presidential preference primary. I had no interest in any possible scenario whereby Rick Santorum or Newt Gingrich could ever become president. Perhaps proving the point most dramatically, if Rep. Johnson had run for reelection and not drawn opposition, there would be no Democratic primary races on my ballot even this July. On the Republican side, I would have the ability to elect some of the most important individuals in the County (the County Commission Chairman, the Cobb County District Attorney and the Cobb County Clerk of Superior Court). Even the strongest Democrat and lawyer would find it hard to cast a Democratic ballot with no contested races rather than participate in the election of those key positions.
Q: Speaking of Cobb Republican Women, your name appears on some post on their website?
A: CCRW was kind enough to recognize me when I received the Justice Robert Benham award for Community Service. The award was predicated largely on my work with Reconnecting Families, Inc. which supports the Cobb County Family Drug Treatment Court and Juvenile Drug Court. CCRW has provided extensive charitable support to Reconnecting Families, Inc. CCRW has awarded a scholarship to one of our graduating mothers and one of our graduating juveniles. Those scholarships took individuals battling substance abuse and helped them turn life around. As the Board Chairman of Reconnecting Families, I have tremendous appreciation of CCRW for their support of this program.
Q: What about concerns over your switching parties?
A: Prior to qualifying, I informed individuals within the Democratic party that I would be happy to meet with them so that they could evaluate my character and ask about my positions on various issues. I held those meetings with all of those who were willing to meet with me, including leadership. I answered any questions regarding issue positions and statements about party switching. None of the leadership nor those officials that met with me and examined my character and issue positions have ever stated any objection to my candidacy for this seat. More noteworthy, I am endorsed by Roy Barnes, Buddy Darden, Rob Teilhet and I am employed by a former Democratic State Representative. These are public servants that I hold in high esteem and who also know me and my character. The notion that I would do anything to betray their trust is beyond comprehension to me.
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