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Some in Georgia GOP fear harm from ‘religious freedom’ issue

FILE- In this March 17, 2015 file photo, protestors hold up signs during a rally against a contentious "religious freedom" bill in Atlanta. The divide within the Georgia Republican Party on a religious free measure came into clear focus at the March rally opposing the bill. “I will not let a small minority of vocal legislators hijack my state,” David Bachman told the crowd outside the Georgia Capitol. Bachman is a 26-year-old gay man who owns a tie-making company and has been involved with Republican campaigns since high school, personifying the split between his party’s business wing and religious backers. The bill failed to get a House vote on Thursday as lawmakers adjourned for the year. It is likely to return in 2016. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)
FILE- In this March 17, 2015 file photo, protestors hold up signs during a rally against a contentious "religious freedom" bill in Atlanta. The divide within the Georgia Republican Party on a religious free measure came into clear focus at the March rally opposing the bill. “I will not let a small minority of vocal legislators hijack my state,” David Bachman told the crowd outside the Georgia Capitol. Bachman is a 26-year-old gay man who owns a tie-making company and has been involved with Republican campaigns since high school, personifying the split between his party’s business wing and religious backers. The bill failed to get a House vote on Thursday as lawmakers adjourned for the year. It is likely to return in 2016. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)

By Associated Press 3 min read

ATLANTA (AP) – The divide within the Georgia Republican Party on a religious free measure came into clear focus at a March rally opposing the bill.

“I will not let a small minority of vocal legislators hijack my state,” David Bachman told the crowd outside the Georgia Capitol.

Bachman is a 26-year-old gay man who owns a tie-making company and has been involved with Republican campaigns since high school, personifying the split between his party’s business wing and religious backers. The bill failed to get a House vote on Thursday as lawmakers adjourned for the year.

It is likely to return in 2016.

The stalemate lets Georgia avoid backlash following passage of laws with similar goals in Indiana and Arkansas. Meanwhile, supporters plan to raise the issue at the state party’s convention in May as Georgia Republicans lead a push for more Southern state influence in selecting the 2016 presidential nominee.