Farmer defeats long-time Georgia representative

photo Jason Ridley

A farmer defeated a 12-year veteran to join the Georgia House of Representatives on Tuesday night.

Jason Ridley beat Tom Dickson for the 6th District seat with about 54 percent of 3,400 votes. Dickson, a retired educator representing Whitfield and Murray counties, was the chairman of the House Appropriations Education subcommittee. He had been in office since 2005.

Dickson received about $185,000 during this election cycle, campaign contribution reports show. By comparison, Ridley received about $1,800, though his disclosures are one month behind Dickson's on the Campaign Finance Commission website.

Ridley, 39, believes he won because of a more conservative stance on gun rights, Georgia's "religious freedom" bill and education reform.

"People needed someone to stand up for them and knock the establishment," Ridley said Wednesday. "That's what being a representative is about. That's the reason I ran. That's the reason people elected me."

Dickson did not return a call seeking comment.

A native of the region, Ridley spent 12 years issuing loans for Gilmer County Bank, First Bank of Dalton and AgGeorgia Farm Bank. He said he got burned out doing that work, though, and in 2012 he quit to start a 30-acre vegetable farm in Chatsworth. He also raises cattle on his friend's property.

In the May 24 Republican primary, a three-candidate race, Ridley finished second to Dickson with 32 percent of 5,563 voters. Dickson received 49 percent and was only 31 votes shy of winning the race without a necessary runoff. More than 50 percent of the vote is needed to clinch in a race with more than two candidates.

Tuesday's election had a lower turnout, with 3,403 voters.

Ridley believes he overtook Dickson's lead because he came out stronger on conservative issues. He announced he will not support any bills that would curtail someone's rights to own a gun.

"I will not back up," he said. "I will not compromise. It is what it is, laid out by our forefathers. I will not discuss any restrictions."

Ridley also criticized Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal's decision in April to veto a "Religious Freedom" bill, which would allow faith-based organizations to deny services to those who violate the organization's religious beliefs. It would also allow the organizations to fire employees for similar reasons.

Ridley also is opposed to state and federal governments taking control of local school boards, citing the experience of his wife, Andrea Ridley, a former assistant principal at Northwest Elementary School in Chatsworth. She will be a lecturer in the education program at Dalton State College this school year, Jason Ridley said.

Minter wins Superior Court race

Scott Minter, the chief assistant district attorney in the Conasauga Judicial Circuit, will be the area's next Superior Court judge. He defeated Dalton attorney Steve Farrow with about 56 percent of 8,600 votes. The circuit covers Murray and Whitfield counties.

Minter believes he won because his wife, two daughters and church friends knocked on thousands of doors and attended community events, hoping to introduce themselves to voters in person. Minter has lived in the circuit his entire life and began working in the district attorney's office as an intern in 1996, during which time he tried cases while still attending the University of Georgia law school.

He said he tried to tailor his courtroom demeanor to that of Andy Griffith's fictional sheriff, and some local attorneys suggested he had the right personality to be a judge.

"I've always strived to live my life that way, in the district attorney's office," he said. "I've always tried to treat defense attorneys and defendants with respect, with dignity."

Contact staff writer Tyler Jett at 423-757-6476 or tjett@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @LetsJett.

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