Jesse Vaughn, candidate for the District 5 Georgia House set speaks at the Murray County Senior Center. The Murray County Republican Party hosted a meet and greet for candidates running for the District 5 Georgia House Seat on December 20, 2018. The seat was left empty with the death of longtime house member John Meadows. Like any good Baptist, Jesse Vaughn understands the appeal of a good transformation story.
So when he released a campaign ad on New Year’s Day, he addressed his wayward past. The public record tells no lies: He used to be a Democrat. But those days are gone, he promised. He matured, became a father and worked with local business owners, witnessing the scourge of overzealous government regulations. Vaughn believes he is as qualified as any of the five Republicans running for the Georgia House District 5 seat Tuesday.
“I think it will break through,” he said of his message. “Or I hope it will, I guess. I’ve tried to be as straightforward and honest and sincere about it as I can be. I’m not trying to run away from my past. This has been a journey that I’m on.”
Vaughn’s work with the liberal wing – including an unsuccessful state house run as a Democrat in 2002 – has been a frequent topic of conversation on the campaign trail, several candidates say. A lifelong resident of Gordon County, he believes he can clear the hurdle with conservative voters. But his Republican opponents think some in the community don’t trust the switch.
“If Jesse wins the seat,” said Matt Barton, “I truly hope he is a Republican and totally has changed. That is a real concern that I have for him. I’m a pretty strong Republican. I’ve been listening to Rush Limbaugh for 25 years.”