Casey Cagle

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Casey Cagle
Caglelt.jpg
11th Lieutenant Governor of Georgia
Assumed office
January 8, 2007
Governor Sonny Perdue
Nathan Deal
Preceded by Mark Taylor
Member of the Georgia Senate
from the 49th district
In office
January 1995 – January 8, 2007
Preceded by Jane Hemmer
Succeeded by Lee Hawkins
Personal details
Born Lowell S. Casey Cagle
(1966-01-12) January 12, 1966 (age 58)
Gainesville, Georgia, U.S.
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Nita Cagle
Alma mater Gainesville State College
Georgia Southern University
Religion Baptist
Website Campaign website
Government website

Lowell S. "Casey" Cagle (born January 12, 1966) is an American politician currently serving as the 11th Lieutenant Governor of Georgia. He is a member of the Republican Party, a conservative, and a former member of the General Assembly in the U.S. state of Georgia. In 2006, Cagle defeated political activist Ralph Reed in the Republican primary for Lieutenant Governor of Georgia.[1] He later defeated Democrat Jim Martin November 7, 2006, to become the first Republican Lieutenant Governor in Georgia's history.

Early life

Cagle was born Lowell S. Casey Cagle in Gainesville, Georgia and raised by his single mother. He is a seventh generation resident of Hall County, Georgia. According to his legislative biography, he "attended eight different elementary schools by age six, but persevered to graduate from Hall County's public schools."[2] After graduating from Johnson High School, Cagle attended Gainesville State College and Georgia Southern University to play football. After an injury ended his dreams of playing college football, Cagle entered the business world, starting his first venture, a small tuxedo shop in Gainesville, when he was just 20 years old.[3]

Business career

After returning to Gainesville in 1986, Cagle started what would turn into a successful tuxedo rental company. He expanded the retail business into multiple locations throughout North Georgia. He founded Southern Heritage Bank in 1999 and served as its chairman until it merged into Gainesville Bank & Trust in 2004, and later SunTrust Banks in 2008. Cagle joined the board of directors of GB&T in 2005. According to filings, his estimated net worth is $3 million.

State senate

In 1994, at age 28, Cagle ran for the Georgia Senate in Senate District 49 that included Hall County and parts of Dawson County and Forsyth County. He upset the Democratic incumbent, Jane Hemmer, and became the youngest member of the State Senate. He was re-elected five times and served from 1995 to 2006. During this time, Cagle served as Chairman of the State Senate Finance Committee, Vice Chairman of Science and Technology Committee, and as a member of the Natural Resources and the Environment Committee and the powerful Appropriations Committee.

Campaign for lieutenant governor

In early 2005, Cagle declared his candidacy for Lieutenant Governor of Georgia. He was opposed in the Republican primary by nationally known Christian conservative activist Ralph Reed. Initially considered the underdog, Cagle emerged as a serious challenger to Reed. Reed accused Cagle of negative campaigning, blaming Cagle for unfavorable media attention arising from the federal investigation into the Jack Abramoff Indian lobbying scandal.[4] On July 18, 2006, Cagle defeated Reed in the Republican Party primary with Cagle taking 56% of the vote to Reed's 44%.[5] He then went on to successfully face former state representative Jim Martin in the general election and won with 54.1% to Martin's 42.3%.[6]

Work as lieutenant governor

Transportation

According to Cagle's official website, "the time for small ideas and quick fixes on transportation has passed. Instead, we should recognize that our state’s economic future rests on our courage to make real reform." Into 2009, transportation continues to be a major problem for Georgia and Metro Atlanta. According to Forbes, Atlanta is the seventh-worst congestion "traffic trap" in the United States.[7] In February 2009, the Georgia Department of Transportation oversight board removed DOT Commissioner Gena Evans. Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle spoke out against the move to fire Evans and said that "Every Georgian in this state should be outraged at what took place."[8]

2015 Beer Jobs Bill Controversy

In early 2015, Cagle's position was called into queston regarding his stance on Senate Bill 63, the "Beer Jobs Bill".[9] As published by conservative blogger Eric Erickson on February 25, 2015 Lt. Governor Cagle had taken $130,756.57 in campaign contributions from the alcoholic beverage industry.[10] Lt. Gov. Cagle's position regarding his unbiased approach regarding a bill that would allow breweries to sell a limited volume of beer directly from the brewery was called into question due to this connections with beer wholesalers.[11][12]

Campaign for governor

Cagle filed paperwork for the Republican nomination for Governor of Georgia. According to documents filed with the Georgia State Ethics Commission, the Georgians for Cagle campaign raised $1,255,543.45 in the second half of 2008. This was nearly $700,000 more than Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine who raised $564,270.00.[13][14]

Withdrawal

On April 15, 2009, Cagle withdrew from the governor's race, citing a degenerative spinal condition and unspecified nerve and bone problems that required surgical treatment.[15] He ran for and won re-election as lieutenant governor instead.

Family and personal life

Cagle counts his family as his single greatest accomplishment and most important priority in life. He is married to his high school sweetheart Nita, and they are the parents of three sons, Jared, Grant, and Carter. The Cagles live in Chestnut Mountain, Georgia where they are active members of Blackshear Place Baptist Church.[3]

Electoral history

Lieutenant Governor Primary Election Results

Year Election Republican Votes Pct Republican Votes Pct
2006 Primary Casey Cagle 227,968 56% Ralph Reed 178,790 44%
2010 Primary Casey Cagle 525,287 100% (no candidate) 0 0%

Lieutenant Governor General Election Results

Year Election Republican Votes Pct Democrat Votes Pct Libertarian Votes Pct
2006 General Casey Cagle 1,134,517 54.1% Jim Martin 887,506 42.3% Allen Buckley 75,673 3.6%
2010 General Casey Cagle 1,403,977 54.7% Carol Porter 1,074,624 41.9% Dan Barber 88,746 3.5%

See also

References

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  2. ↑ http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2005_06/senate/cagleprintbio.pdf
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  8. ↑ [1][dead link]
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External links

Georgia Senate
Preceded by
Jane Hemmer
 Member of the Georgia Senate
from the 49th district
1995–2007		 Succeeded by
Lee Hawkins
Political offices
Preceded by Lieutenant Governor of Georgia
2007–present		 Incumbent
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