Latest news with #R-Vidalia
Yahoo
11-08-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Republican Blake Tillery announces bid for Lt. Gov.; pledges to cut state income tax
A South Georgia state senator announced a bid for lieutenant governor in Savannah Monday morning, pledging to run on what he called "Georgia values." Blake Tillery (R-Vidalia) spoke to a small crowd of supporters at Sheltair Aviation, a private and recreational fixed-base aviation operation at 100 Eddie Jungemann Drive, during his first stop on a seven-city tour around Georgia to launch his campaign. Tillery touted his record of advancing conservative policies in the state Senate while outlining a platform to cut the state income tax and fight illegal immigration. "I have a record of conservative results here in Georgia," Tillery said. "I've stood against woke ideologies; I've stood against DEI mandates and gender extremism." Tillery was elected to the state Senate in 2016 and is also the managing partner at the Tillery Firm law practice in Vidalia, where his work touches on worker's compensation, real estate closings and probate cases, according to his biography. Before being elected to state Senate, Tillery served as the Toombs County Commission chairman. The South Georgia native said he decided to run based on promises kept as a state Senator, where he pledged jobs, expanded broadband access and kept taxes low. Tillery pointed to a 15% reduction in the state income tax during his Senate tenure. "I think that voters judge candidates based on what they have accomplished ... We've accomplished those (priorities)," Tillery said in an interview. In Georgia, the lieutenant governor is the state's number two executive―after the governor. A primary role for the lieutenant governor is presiding over the Senate as Senate president. Tillery said he gained key experience for the role as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Various priorities from "election integrity" to immigration enforcement all have budget line items attached to them, providing a comprehensive view of state government, he said. "I think chairing the budget committee helps you learn every aspect of the state." Tillery joins other high-profile Republicans from the Georgia General Assembly who have entered the 2026 race. Senate Pro-Tempore John Kennedy (R-Macon) and Senate Majority Leader Steve Gooch (R-Dahlonega) have also announced candidacies for lieutenant governor. Democratic State Senator Josh McLaurin is, thus far, the only Democrat to announce a big for the seat. Current Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones is running for Governor, making the race for the state's number two spot an open seat. Tillery's campaign launch day also includes stops in Atlanta, Albany, Augusta, Columbus, Perry and Vidalia. The stops include the Georgia State Capitol and local airports, with each scheduled for roughly 45-minute appearances. "I'm doing this because Georgia is a big state, and every voice in Georgia matters," Tillery said. Evan Lasseter is the city of Savannah and Chatham County government reporter for the Savannah Morning News. You can reach him at ELasseter@ This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Georgia Republican state Sen. Blake Tillery launches Lt. Gov. campaign
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
What is debanking? GA Senator Blake Tillery speaks out for Trump after Capital One lawsuit
Georgia State Senator Blake Tillery (R-Vidalia) has recently spoken about the issue of "debanking" in support of Trump. According to a Georgia Senate press release, a Georgia Senate bill aiming to protect against unjustified bank account closures was recently defeated. According to Wikipedia, debanking, "also known within the banking industry as de-risking, is the closure of people's or organizations' bank accounts by banks that perceive the account holders to pose a financial, legal, regulatory, or reputational risk to the bank." The result of debanking can ultimately lead to significant financial hardship. But, some may wonder, who can be debanked? Anyone can be debanked, including individuals and businesses. Shortly after the defeat in Georgia of Senate Bill 57, the Freedom of Speech and Belief Act, the Trump Organization sued Capital One in Miami-Dade County, Florida, alleging the bank unjustly closed over 300 of its accounts. Sen. Tillery argued in support of Trump on Monday. He claimed that this lawsuit contradicts claims that such closures are rare, highlighting the need for stronger protections against politically motivated debanking. 'I hope no one is accusing The Trump Organization of filing a frivolous lawsuit here,' said Sen. Tillery in his speech on the Senate floor. 'You were told that debanking was a rare occurrence, yet this lawsuit alone details more than 300 instances of it happening in a single case.' According to the lawsuit, 'Capital One did not provide the plaintiffs any recourse, remedy, or alternative – its decision was final.' The filing further alleges that: 'Plaintiffs have reason to believe that Capital One's unilateral decision came about as a result of political and social motivations and Capital One's unsubstantiated, 'woke' beliefs that it needed to distance itself from President Trump and his conservative political views.' According to a First Reader Summary from the Georgia General Assembly: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 15 of Chapter 1 of Title 10 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to deceptive or unfair practices, so as to protect the exercise of constitutional rights; to prohibit discrimination in the provision of essential services; to provide for public and private enforcement; to provide for definitions; to provide a short title; to provide legislative findings and declarations; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Tillery led and was one of 13 Republican sponsors of the Georgia bill. It was defeated on March 6. If an account is debanked, the bank closed the account and refused to open a new one. Therefore, you lose access to banking services. A Republican senator from Vidalia, Tillery represents the 19th Senate District, which includes Appling, Bacon, Jeff Davis, Long, Montgomery, Tattnall, Telfair, Toombs, Wayne and Wheeler counties, as well as a portion of Coffee County. Vanessa Countryman is the Trending Topics Reporter for the the Deep South Connect Team Georgia. Email her at Vcountryman@ This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: What is "DeBanking?" GA Senator Blake Tillery speaks in support of Trump
