Why did State Rep Matt Gurtler miss the vote on Peace Officers’ Bill of Rights? Was he in Franklin County or the Capitol at the time of the vote?
Featured, Featured Stories, News July 26, 2020
When a Georgia State House member casts its vote and the vote board locks, a screen shot is automatically taken with the time of the vote on the picture. Also the Georgia House sends out a tweet with the date and time a bill passes.
On June 23rd there appeared to be 2 hours and 18 minutes between SB 474 and HB 426, The Hate Crimes Bill. Between the two bills was HB 838 the Peace Officers’ Bill of Rights. State Representative Matt Gurtler voted YES on SB 474, he was ABSENT for the vote on HB 838 Peace Officers’ Bill of Rights, and Gurtler voted NO on HB 426 the Hate Crimes Bill.
Article continues below pictures.
SB 474 Gurtler voted yes
HB 838 Peace Officers Bill of Rights Gurtler was absent
Matt Gurtler voted NO on HB 426 the Hate Crimes Bill.
Tweet shows HB 838 vote at 3:04. Picture shows Matt Gurtler standing at Capitol elevator doors at 3;15
Google maps says it takes an hour and twenty one minutes from the State Capitol to Carnesville, the Franklin County county seat. Round trip would have been 2 hours and 42 minutes not counting time to get to and from your car at the Capitol. So how did Matt Gurtler get to Franklin and back in two hours and eighteen minutes? Then there is the photo which he claims is not real, taken at the Capitol elevator door with a timestamp of 3:15. The House Tweet vote time for HB 838 shows the vote was taken at 3:04.
After hearing that a photo may have been altered I felt it was necessary to dig deeper. This is a serious accusation. Was the Clyde campaign trying to make Gurtler look like he doesn’t support law enforcement? Was Gurtler being unfairly smeared by his opponent?
Or is he really Dr. No or No Show Gurtler? At a time when we are hearing “defund the cops” Law Enforcement in Georgia want to know which Lawmakers have their backs. On June 23rd the Georgia State House at approximately 3:05 passed 92-74 the Peace Officers’ Bill of Rights and Standards for Punishing Individuals Who Commit Offenses Against Peace Officers.
Absent during the vote was Georgia State Representative Matt Gurtler. Gurtler is in a runoff against Andrew Clyde to be the Republician candidate on the ballot for the 9th Congressional District in November. The seat is currently held by Doug Collins.
When Gurtler was asked where he was that caused him to miss the vote on HB 838 and does he support law enforcement his answers were “sure I support law enforcement” and I’m running for office and had some campaign issues to take care of.
Missing this important vote has many in law enforcement in the 9th district asking what was more important at that time than showing support for our peace officers? What campaign business? Where was he at the time of the vote? Then the photo appears. One that shows Gurtler at the doors of the elevator at the Capitol.
Immediately the Gurtler campaign goes into damage control claiming the photo is photoshopped and he was in Franklin county at the time of the vote on HB 838.
(Below is the clip from the debate Friday, July 17th.)
In a debate on July 17th in Jackson County, Gurtler claims the photo was photoshopped, that he was in Franklin county.[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqf-XzeX8m8[/embedyt]
Moderator: House Bill 838 known as the Peace Officers’ Bill of Rights you did not vote on that, you were not present when that bill came to the floor, why not?
Matt: I support law enforcement, what I think is disgusting is photoshopping pictures of me when I am not at the Capitol, we recessed at noon. I went to go talk to people in Franklin county. To understand their needs and return back to the Capitol. I support any Bill that upholds life, liberty and the constitution. To say I walked on the vote, I have never walked on a vote.
Moderator: You’re saying the photo that shows you at the Capitol is photoshopped?
Matt: Yes, I left at noon and got back around three hours later back to the chamber to make it in time for the Hate Crimes Bill.
Moderator: Would you like to respond to that Mr. Clyde?
Andrew Clyde: Sure, it is not a photoshopped photo at all. It’s an I-phone live photo and it has a timestamp Matt. I think the people of Georgia need to know how you would have voted on the bill, Yay or nay?
Matt: Yes, I would support any bill that supports the constitution and supports our law enforcement.
Several of Gurtler’s votes in his career as a state representative that he voted NO on, he would say although he found many things in the bill he liked he had to vote NO because a specific part he found unconstitutional.
The question that remains unanswered is whether Gurtler thought HB838 is constitutional?
In Atlanta Press Club Debate Sunday July 19th during the candid question segment Clyde chose to ask Gurtler again about his whereabouts at the time of the vote on HB838.
Clyde: You missed this vote but I think voters would still like to know do you believe that HB838 also known as the Peace Officers’ Bill of Rights is constitutional and would you have voted yay or nay on this specific bill as it is written?
Matt: I said yes. That I would support any bill that upholds the constitution and upholds life, liberty and the property. I think it’s very disingenuous to attack me on something and photoshop photos when I’m not even in the Capitol. We had recess that day. I retired after talking to constituents in Franklin county. ‘
Gurtler again makes the claim the photo is photoshopped and he was in Franklin County at the time of the vote. He dodges Clyde’s direct question “Do you believe HB 838 is constitutional?” and “would you have voted YAY or NAY as it is written?”
So on Monday night, July 20th at the Fannin County Republican party meeting I asked Mr. Gurtler if he would be on my show Tuesday morning? He agreed to be on at 9am Tuesday morning. Late Monday night I received the following message from him cancelling due to a scheduling conflict.
Message from Gurtler: “Hey Brian, I thought I could do it. But my schedule won’t allow it. Was good to see you tonight.”
Message from Banks Wise, Gurtler’s campaign manager: “Hey Brian, good to see you. Matt spoke too soon and wasn’t aware of his schedule. He had a full day and can’t make it on the show.”
I attempted to get him to reschedule but received no answer to my text. I wanted to give Gurtler a chance to say with whom he was meeting in Franklin County at the time of the vote. Provide some hard facts. Surely someone took pictures of his visit.
I sent Gurtler a message last Friday night, July 24th, telling him I wanted to talk to him Saturday at the Stephens County Republican Party BBQ. He knew I planned to ask him questions. After Gurtler finished speaking at the event I watched him sneaking out to avoid me speaking with me. While I don’t like ambush journalism there are some questions that need cleared up. If he makes a serious claim that the photo showing him at the Capitol is photoshopped and he was in Franklin County at the time of the vote on HB838, who was he meeting with and how did he make it to Franklin county and back to the Capitol to vote on the Hate Crimes Bill in 2 hours and eighteen minutes? His campaign manager Banks Wise maintains he was not at the Capitol June 23rd at the time of the HB 838 vote.
I think the voters in the 9th Congressional District along with all the Peace Officers in the Ninth District would like to know what could possibly be more important in Franklin County in this time of strife and turmoil than showing total and unanimous support for law enforcement.
I am still open to the answers and Matt Gurtler is welcome on my show anytime.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QASajxQ7iz4[/embedyt]
Gurtler leaves 8th District voters hanging in limbo
Election, News February 11, 2020
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – With candidate qualification just three weeks away, House Representative Matt Gurtler continues to leave 8th District voters in the dark regarding which office he will pursue. Whether Gurtler will choose to remain the incumbent in the State House race or move toward a bid in the 50th State Senate or 9th Congressional districts remains a mystery.
As constituents question the elected official’s delay, it begs the question: What exactly is Gurtler waiting on?
Gurtler alluded to a potential State Senate, or U.S. Congressional House run, in a Feb. 4 social media post. “With the announcement of Congressman Doug Collins seeking the U.S. Senate seat, as well as our State Senator John Wilkinson’s seat opening up, I wanted to answer all your questions about whether I’m considering a run for either seat, the 9th Congressional or the 50th State Senate,” Gurtler stated, adding that he was “weighing my options.”
Last month, the second-term representative received substantial backlash on social media following a controversial “no” vote proclaimed to honor President Trump and the U.S. military. Challenging candidate Stan Gunter took aim at the self-professed conservative’s history of opposing Republican-backed bills at the State Capitol.
In turn, Towns County Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw weighed in on the matter at the Towns County Republican Party meeting on Jan. 16, shining a spotlight on Gurtler’s unpopular position with conservative officials in the State House. “This isn’t the first time that a vote like this occurred,” Gunter publicly reminded. “You can imagine what he does to his relationships with other Republicans because this bill went down the party line. The Democrats all voted against it, and he joined the Democrats.”
In response, Representative Gurtler issued a Feb. 6 rebuttal reminiscent of his 2018 campaign rhetoric. “The establishment, lead by (House Speaker David) Ralston himself, never give up, and unfortunately, because they’ve been in power for so long (back when many of them were Democrats), they have endless resources….” Gurtler stated in part. “Unfortunately, my opponent has decided to carry on the establishment torch.”
In a Feb. 6 statement to FYN, Gunter said that he is focused solely on the 8th District House. “I’m running my campaign as if (Gurtler) is still in it, which he is,” Gunter said. Gunter issued the statement following the news that Gurtler confirmed a low-profile visit to Washington D.C.
With time narrowing in, the elected official will have to reveal his hand sooner than later, announcing whether he wishes to continue representing the citizens of the 8th House District or attempt to secure a seat elsewhere.
Additional information can be found by clicking the highlighted links above.
Continue to follow FYN for campaign developments as Election 2020 approaches.
Rep. Gurtler Kicks-off 2020 Campaign and Addresses Criticisms
Election, Featured November 21, 2019
BLAIRSVILLE, GA – Incumbent Georgia District Eight State Representative Matt Gurtler officially kicked-off his 2020 campaign on Nov. 19 and addressed comments made by his opponent about the representative’s effectiveness in the state capitol.
Gurtler spoke to a crowd of supporters at the Pat Haralson Civic Center and fielded questions about Georgia’s General Assembly, the Republican Party, and his goals while in office.
The state representative and establishment Republicans have a contentious relationship. They continually butt-heads over bills due to government or budget growth.
“If a bill grows government, you vote no. If it violates the constitution, you vote no,” stated Gurtler, who originally ran in 2016 to bring principles back to politics.
According to Gurtler, his position to follow the ideas of limited government earned him a lot of heat within the capitol.
He called out fellow Republicans during his speech saying, “The largest tax increase, in Georgia’s history, passed under a Republican regime.”
The budget receives a lot of attention from Gurtler. When he started as an aide, he saw it growing every year. Originally, it was $19B, and now it is $30B. One reason for the ever-expanding budget is the movie industry in Georgia. Hollywood receives massive tax incentives to come to the state. The influx of the film industry into the state also threatens to flip it from Red to Blue, which can be seen in every election cycle. Most notably in the 2018 Governor’s race, where Democrat Stacy Abrams only lost by 1.4 percentage points.
District Eight Representative believes those elected to the General Assembly should stop cow-towing to Hollywood and start looking into how to aid local Georgians.
Rep. Gurtler hosted supporters at Pat Haralson Civic Center.
“I do vote no a lot,” explained Gurtler, “That first year was pretty tough, a lot of threats and intimidation, all kinds of tactics from leadership and establishment, used against me to get me to falter and come to their side.”
After the first three months of alleged intimidation, leadership left Gurtler alone, and he gained some respect from his colleagues for not changing his position.
However, his tendency to vote no serves as a point of contention with his 2020 opponent retired judge Stan Gunter. Fetch Your News asked Gurtler to respond to Gunter’s challenge that Gurtler is hard to work with, causing constituents to seek out Senator Steve Gooch for assistance.
“This is the same tactic that was used last time against me. It’s a falsehood,” admonished Gurtler, “If what my opponent says is true, that you’re voting off principle, and district money is being taken away, wouldn’t that prove we have a corrupt government?”
Gunter previously stated he has better connections in the capitol and that Gurtler’s positions have hurt the overall welfare of District Eight.
“Of course, my opponent is the establishment candidate because the establishment is going to behind him. The same people who supported my last opponent will be supporting him…The culture of the capitol, in my experience, is pretty corrupt. People come in with the greatest intentions and through fear and intimidation falter to the establishment,” said Gurtler.
He’s very open about establishment Republicans corrupting the party’s ideals, citing Speaker Ralston’s continuances scandal from the past legislative session as part of the problem. The District Eight Representative is one of ten who signed the resolution stating that the multiple continuances issued by Ralston reflected poorly on the Georgia government and the Republican Party.
Previously, Governor Nathan Deal and Ralston campaigned against Gurtler in 2018 – a move typically unprecedented in Georgia politics. Still, he has faith in his constituents, “The people have spoken twice now, overwhelmingly, winning by 20 points the last two elections, so we’re going to continue doing that, continue to lead by example, and that’s why we’re here.”
State Rep. Matt Gurtler: District election gained National attention
News, Politics July 25, 2018
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Local State House Represenative Matt Gurtler plans to reintroduce his departmental budget bill in Atlanta, pressing for an accountable budget process to curb what he considers imprudent spending, by stipulating that each of the 49 government agencies involved should function on their own respective merits.
“With so much at stake, we must always be conservative with our money and the budget is the heart of where wasteful spending lies,” Gurtler explained, “Currently, Georgia’s budget process is much like what we see in Washington D.C. with an omnibus budget where everything is lumped together, and members are pressured to vote ‘yes’ regardless of all the bad subsidies or handouts in the budget. My department budget bill is the common sense solution to bring real conservative change to Georgia’s tax and spending problem.”
Representative Matt Gurtler
In addition, Gurtler asserted his view on government policies, stating that American values and principles are compromised as a result of the growing size, scope, and intrusiveness of government. “Not enough statesmen are saying ‘no’ to the federal government when we have the perfect right to refuse big goverment polices,” Gurtler expressed, “The 13 states, through a constitutional convention, came together and created the federal government, and delegated how the government should operate in a free society. A Constitutional Republic with democratically elected leaders was the platform. A Republic was the solution, ‘if we can keep it’ as Benjamin Franklin stated at the close of the Constitutional Convention in 1787. Not a monarchy, not a theocracy, not a democracy, but a republic of law and order. Since the states created the United States, their powers supercede that of the federal government, and they made sure to codify this arrangement in our tenth amendment in regard to reserved powers.”
In reference to upcoming speaking engagements at the Young Americans for Liberty National Convention, and before the National Liberty Coalition in Washington D.C., Gurtler says he looks forward to sharing his values and principles with like-minded patriots, and discussing the obstacles conquered during his recent re-election campaign. State leaders heavily funded and heartily rallied for Gurtler’s challenger in a foiled attempt to oust the ultra-conservative representative from District 8.
“Our election gained national attention, and now it’s becoming a national case study of how and what the establishment will do in the hopes of defeating real conservatives,” Gurtler stated, “I couldn’t be more proud of our community for standing beside me, and it just shows what kind of politician the people are seeking to represent them.”
Gurtler represents the citizens of Towns, Rabun, Union, and White County at the State Capitol.
State House Rep. Matt Gurler explains special session votes
News, Politics November 19, 2018
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – District 8 House Represenative Matt Gurtler traveled to the Gold Dome in Atlanta last week, voting on three separate issues during a special state session. The second-term representative rejected the amended 2019 Georgia budget, along with a tax credit bill for timber producers, while approving a tax exemption for jet fuel sales.
Concerning the budget, while Gurtler expressed that he supports affected individuals residing in the counties impacted by Hurricane Michael, the state representative explained that the manner that allocated funds were not in sync with his conservative principles, prompting Gurtler to vote against the measure.
State House Rep. Matt Gurtler
Gurtler additionally disapproved of the amended budget due to what he considers wasteful spending.
“Out of the $270 million allocated, $40 million of those taxpayers dollars went to departments that directly interfere in the free market by subsidizing private businesses through the One Georgia Authority and REBA (Regional Economic Business Assistance), ” Gurtler explained, “This shouldn’t have been part of the discussion during the special session and these departments actually hurt Georgians and the Georgia economy. But nonetheless, subsidies and handouts always seem to find their way back on our desks.
“On top of that, we could have used our rainy day fund ($2.5 Billion) to allocate funds OR the fiscal affairs committee could have simply voted to approve these funds without calling a special session, which costs you, the taxpayers, $40,000 a day. Not only do we waste tax dollars on bureaucracy with every action, but we also waste tax dollars on the debate on how much of those tax dollars we can spend. This should not be happening and I believe would be worse if there was not a small contingency pushing back.”
Likewise, Gurtler voted against House Bill (HB) 4EX, which would provide tax credits for timber producers.
“I voted NO to this measure because this is a subsidy for a portion of the industry, for a limited area, under specific circumstances, and with a whole lot of expensive bureaucracy,” Gurtler stated, “While it was brought to us with the greatest of intentions, subsidies given to individuals and businesses are simply not the proper role of government, and they harm Georgians and the Georgia economy in the long run. For those reasons, I voted NO.”
Although Gurtler stated that while he does not believe that the jet fuel tax exemption measure is without flaw, the representative voted in favor of the bill.
“I voted YES to this measure because this fundamentally decreases the size of government through the lowering of tax thus reducing the size of government, burden, and power of government through revenue. This is not just for Delta as you would hear from the Atlanta media, but a lowering of taxes across the board for an entire industry on a specific commodity used in that industry,” Gurtler concluded.
Rep. Matt Gurtler plans round-two in “Atlanta Swamp”
News, Politics June 22, 2018
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – A month has passed since Georgia State House Representative Matt Gurtler was reelected to serve a second term, and Gurtler says a “no nonsense, limited government, conservative message” was heard “loud and clear.”
State House District 8 – which is composed of Towns, Rabuns, Union, and White Counties – received the highest voter turnout in Georgia during the 2018 General Primary, with nearly ten thousand ballots cast. The 29-year-old contractor from Tiger, Georgia, retained his seat under the Gold Dome, earning 60 percent of the vote on May 22, 2018.
In what the Republican representative referred to as an “historic election,” Gurtler reiterated that prior to this year’s primary, it was unprecedented for a sitting governor or state speaker to actively campaign against an incumbent within their own party. Gurtler’s challenger was heavily funded, and rally-endorsed by state-level GOP leadership.
“The entrenched, big government, establishment politicians showed their true colors, and opposition to real conservatives,” Gurtler expressed, “They don’t want limited conservative conservatives at the State Capitol, and will oust dissenters who question the process and their crony capitalist agendas.”
Gurtler went on to say that by exercising independent legislative judgement, and adhering to what he considers the true principles of the Republican Party, political opposition outside of the district ensued. “There is a swamp in Atlanta too, and they are afraid of losing their power, and of anyone who says no,” Gurtler claims, “Because I stand for limited government, less taxes, fiscal responsibility, individual liberty, and free markets, I threaten the establishment.
“For the last two years, I’ve stood up to the establishment, even when it had a political cost, or public perception was counter-intuitive,” Gurtler continued, “Our no nonsense, limited government, conservative message has been heard loud and clear in this election, and I will continue to lead by example, and be the conscience of the party.”
The representative says that in the coming months, he will draft and perfect previously-introduced legislation, and continue to push forth House Bill 156, Constitutional Carry, which was initially introduced by Gurtler in early 2017. “Fifteen states have passed Constitutional Carry, and I will be working hard to ensure it passes this coming session, and with the new governor’s help, we have a real chance to have Constitutional Carry in Georgia next year,” Gurtler explained, “Constitutional Carry will make the Georgia Licence Permit optional for law-abiding citizens. We shouldn’t have to pay the government, or be treated like a criminal in order to exercise a natural right.”
Gurtler states he plans to hold a series of local town hall meetings prior to the commencement of the 2019 legislative session.
“The people simply want honest politicians, and government to get out of their lives,” Gurtler asserted, “They want people to call out the establishment, call out the corruption, the waste, and the handouts. For far too long, politicians have been counting on you to not pay attention, but as Thomas Jefferson said, ‘Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.’ We must always be fighting, and that is the charge I will continue to take at the Capitol these next two years.”