Latest news with #Cowsert
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
State Senator says he's ‘proud to run on my reputation' in bid for attorney general
Another Republican state lawmaker has announced that he is running to be the next attorney general of Georgia. State Sen. Brian Strickland announced Tuesday that he'll run against state Sen. Bill Cowsert for the nomination. The post is being left open because the current attorney general, Chris Carr, is running for governor. 'I'm very excited about this and we're proud to run on my reputation and on my record as a Conservative fighter that knows how to win,' Strickland told Channel 2's Richard Elliot. Strickland is a lawyer who said he supports a more aggressive AG's office, going after organized crime and human trafficking. TRENDING STORIES: Chase in DeKalb ends in serious crash, blocks traffic on Peachtree Ind Blvd by I-285 ramp Man sentenced for kidnapping, raping woman in DeKalb nearly 40 years ago Atlanta Public Schools approves new $1.3 billion budget, will cut 135 positions He also said he's a big supporter of criminal justice reform since, he said, it can give help to those who deserve a second chance. 'Being smart about how we go after crime in our state, being tough on those who need to be locked up. But also helps people get out of the system and back on the taxpayer rolls who can work and can come out of the system,' Strickland said. Elliot also spoke virtually with Cowsert on Tuesday, who announced his candidacy in April. 'I think I'm uniquely qualified for the role from my many years of experience in the legal profession,' Cowsert said. Cowsert is also the chair of the Senate committee investigating Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and her prosecution of President Donald Trump. He's also expanded it to now including looking into Stacey Abrams and her organizations. He said he's concerned about what he claims are rogue DAs. 'I've been concerned and worried about prosecutors that are weaponizing the criminal justice system. The effect is they're making it a more partisan process that undermines the public confidence,' Cowsert said. Even though there are currently no Democratic candidates running for attorney general, Elliot did reach out to the Georgia Democratic Party for comment on this story. So far, he has not heard back.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Georgia Attorney General race: Sen. Bill Cowsert announces campaign
ATLANTA - A high-profile state lawmaker with deep ties to Georgia politics is making a bid for the state's top legal post, signaling a contentious Republican primary ahead, according to The Associated Press. What we know Georgia state Sen. Bill Cowsert of Athens officially announced Wednesday that he's running for state attorney general in 2026. The long-serving Republican becomes the second in his party to jump into the race, following state Sen. Brian Strickland of McDonough, who filed campaign paperwork earlier this year. The seat is opening up because current Attorney General Chris Carr plans to run for governor. RELATED: Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr launches Republican bid in 2026 governor's race Cowsert, a fixture in the state Senate since 2007, represents parts of Athens-Clarke, Oconee, Walton, Barrow, and Gwinnett counties. He previously served four years as Senate majority leader and is the brother-in-law of Gov. Brian Kemp. His announcement marks another step in a growing field of state lawmakers eyeing higher office—at least nine of Georgia's 56 senators are said to be considering such moves ahead of the 2026 election. What they're saying In a sharply worded campaign announcement, Cowsert positioned himself as a law-and-order candidate focused on high-profile issues such as immigration and drug trafficking. "I envision a Georgia where our families are safe, and illegal immigrants, sex traffickers, violent gangs and fentanyl pushers are too afraid to cross the state line," he said. Cowsert also said, "Let me be clear. I will use every power allowed by law to slam the door shut on sanctuary cities like my hometown of Athens." Dig deeper Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student, was killed in February 2024 while jogging at the University of Georgia in Athens. A Venezuelan immigrant – Jose Ibarra -- who entered the United States illegally was sentenced to life in prison last year for her muder. Riley's murder by Ibarra became a flashpoint in the national debate over immigration during the 2024 presidential election. Cowsert also highlighted his leadership role on a Senate committee investigating Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and her prosecution of President Donald Trump. The inquiry, which has garnered considerable attention, has so far produced little new information about Willis or her decision to appoint Nathan Wade—who was in a personal relationship with her—as a special prosecutor. Willis was disqualified last year from prosecuting the case against Trump and his co-defendants because of misconduct. She has appealed that ruling. A bill sponsored by Cowsert this year expanded the Senate committee's scope so that it can examine groups affiliated with Stacey Abrams and the New Georgia Project, which settled long-running ethics allegations in January. RELATED STORIES Georgia Senate committee to reissue subpoena for DA Fani Willis in Trump election probe Georgia Senate probes Stacey Abrams' New Georgia Project Georgia Senate committee investigating Fani Willis probes use of special purpose juries The backstory Traditionally, the attorney general's office has focused on representing the state in legal matters, but in recent years its scope has expanded to include greater powers in criminal prosecution. That shift has redefined the political appeal of the position and drawn interest from lawmakers with more aggressive agendas. Cowsert's campaign leans into this evolution, framing the office as a platform to take on what he describes as threats to public safety and state sovereignty. By the numbers 2 Republicans now in the race for Georgia attorney general 9 state senators reportedly exploring bids for higher office in 2026 1 open attorney general seat, as Chris Carr pivots to a gubernatorial run What we don't know No Democrats have announced a run for attorney general, leaving the potential for a lopsided or uncontested Democratic primary. It also remains unclear how Cowsert's close relationship with Gov. Kemp might influence voter perception or intra-party dynamics. What's next With more than a year to go before the 2026 election, the attorney general's race is just beginning to take shape. As campaigns ramp up, more candidates—particularly from the Democratic side—are expected to enter the race. The early Republican competition sets the stage for a high-stakes primary battle centered on law enforcement and state authority.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bill Cowsert to enter 2026 race for Georgia attorney general
Georgia state Sen. Bill Cowsert of Athens announced Wednesday that he would run for state attorney general, becoming the second Republican to join the race. Current Republican Attorney General Chris Carr is running for governor in 2026, meaning the seat will be open. State Sen. Brian Strickland of McDonough has also filed papers to run. No Democrats have yet announced they will seek the office. Cowsert has served in the Senate since 2007 and now represents parts of Athens-Clarke, Oconee, Walton, Barrow and Gwinnett counties. The brother-in-law of Gov. Brian Kemp, he served four years as Senate majority leader from 2014 to 2018. TRENDING STORIES: 'Whites only,' 'colored only' signs posted in Rockdale elementary school Atlanta police investigating 'swatting call' at home owned by TV attorney Nancy Grace Caregiver accused of buying Shein outfits, paying bills with Alzheimer's patient's credit card He took a tough partisan line in his announcement. While attorney general has traditionally been an office that represented the state in lawsuits, the office has acquired increasing criminal prosecution powers in recent years, and Cowsert pledged to fight gangs and human trafficking if elected. 'I envision a Georgia where our families are safe, and illegal immigrants, sex traffickers, violent gangs and fentanyl pushers are too afraid to cross the state line,' Cowsert said in a statement. He also touted his leadership of a state Senate committee that has been seeking to force Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to testify about whether she did anything wrong in her investigation and prosecution of President Donald Trump and others. That committee's efforts thus far have disclosed little that wasn't already known about Willis and her hiring of special prosecutor Nathan Wade, with whom she had a romantic relationship, to lead the prosecution against Trump and others. At least nine of Georgia's 56 state senators are considering a run for higher office in 2026.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Republican state Sen. Bill Cowsert enters race to become Georgia's next attorney general
Sen. Bill Cowsert, an Athens Republican, has launched a campaign for attorney general. He's the second GOP candidate to enter the race, joining McDonough Republican Sen. Brian Strickland. No Democrats announced a bid for the seat yet. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder Long-time Athens GOP state Sen. Bill Cowsert has jumped into the race for Georgia's next attorney general. The seat is being vacated by sitting Republican Attorney General Chris Carr, who launched his campaign for governor late last year. Carr has been the state's top law enforcement official for nearly a decade. Cowsert, who was first elected to the Senate in 2006, touted his work on a special investigative committee focused on Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, whose office indicted President Donald Trump and 18 others in the 2020 election interference case. Willis was disqualified last year by the Georgia's Court of Appeals for misconduct because of a relationship she had with the special prosecutor in the case, and that case has largely stalled. Willis has appealed the ruling. A controversial bill sponsored by Cowsert this year expands that committee's scope to also examine groups affiliated with Stacey Abrams after the New Georgia Project, a left-leaning voter engagement organization she founded, settled long-running ethics allegations in January. If elected, Cowsert said he would work to make sure 'illegal immigrants, sex traffickers, violent gangs and fentanyl pushers are too afraid to cross the state line.' He also took a swipe at his hometown. 'Let me be clear. I will use every power allowed by law to slam the door shut on sanctuary cities like my hometown of Athens,' he said. 'Our Georgia will no longer tolerate the musings of extremist liberals more concerned with hurting the feelings of Venezuelan gang members in our country illegally than they are with keeping young women from being brutally murdered and raped. Her name was Laken Riley. We will say her name, and we will not allow this to happen again in Georgia.' Riley was a 22-year-old nursing student who was killed in February 2024 while jogging at the University of Georgia. A Venezuelan immigrant authorities say crossed into the U.S. illegally, Jose Ibarra, was sentenced to life in prison last year. Riley's murder became a flashpoint in the national debate over immigration. Cowsert, who grew up in Macon, is the founding partner of Cowsert Heath LLP in Athens, a 'small town' law firm that handles cases from northeast Georgia down to Macon, according to its website. He also chairs the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee. Cowsert will face fellow Sen. Brian Strickland in the GOP primary for the seat. Strickland, a McDonough Republican and attorney who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, became the first candidate for attorney general when he filed his paperwork early this month just before lawmakers wrapped up the 2025 legislative session. No Democrats have announced a bid for the office yet. Qualifying for the 2026 election is still a year away, but the prospect of open seats in a competitive state has prompted many candidates to get a jumpstart on the campaign trail. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Associated Press
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Bill Cowsert becomes second Republican to enter 2026 race for Georgia attorney general
ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia state Sen. Bill Cowsert of Athens announced Wednesday that he would run for state attorney general, becoming the second Republican to join the race. Current Republican Attorney General Chris Carr is running for governor in 2026, meaning the seat will be open. State Sen. Brian Strickland of McDonough has also filed papers to run. No Democrats have yet announced they will seek the office. Cowsert has served in the Senate since 2007 and now represents parts of Athens-Clarke, Oconee, Walton, Barrow and Gwinnett counties. The brother-in-law of Gov. Brian Kemp, he served four years as Senate majority leader from 2014 to 2018. He took a tough partisan line in his announcement. While attorney general has traditionally been an office that represented the state in lawsuits, the office has acquired increasing criminal prosecution powers in recent years, and Cowsert pledged to fight gangs and human trafficking if elected. 'I envision a Georgia where our families are safe, and illegal immigrants, sex traffickers, violent gangs and fentanyl pushers are too afraid to cross the state line,' Cowsert said in a statement. He also touted his leadership of a state Senate committee that has been seeking to force Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to testify about whether she did anything wrong in her investigation and prosecution of President Donald Trump and others. That committee's efforts thus far have disclosed little that wasn't already known about Willis and her hiring of special prosecutor Nathan Wade, with whom she had a romantic relationship, to lead the prosecution against Trump and others. At least nine of Georgia's 56 state senators are considering a run for higher office in 2026.
