CANTON — Attorney General Chris Carr visited Queenie’s in downtown Canton Wednesday morning to meet and talk with supporters of his gubernatorial campaign.
Carr is running in the May 19 Republican primary for governor in a race that includes Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. The GOP nominee will face off against the Democratic primary winner in November.
Incumbent Gov. Brian Kemp cannot seek reelection due to term limits.
Carr told the Tribune Wednesday that he is running for governor because he feels that his knowledge and experience will help keep the state safe and prosperous.
“I think Georgia is the model for the nation as it relates to jobs and safety. Having been chief of staff to former U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, and serving as the commissioner of economic development, and now the attorney general for 10 years, I know those issues and have the relationships that I think are critically important moving forward,” he said. “That’s focusing on education, workforce, on infrastructure, making sure we have the lowest tax burden of any state in the southeast and making sure we have a good and fair legal and regulatory business environment.”
Carr said he wants to continue to keep Georgians safe through the continued use of the Attorney General’s Office specialized units on human trafficking, gangs and organized retail theft. He said he also wants to put more focus on mental health and foster care, and create a public corruption unit in the AG’s office.
Carr also said that housing affordability is “a big issue” and a multifaceted problem.
“What we’ve seen across the state is assessments have risen just beyond anything that’s reasonable. I think property taxes should be capped, limited and transparent,” he said. “Affordability is top of mind, but you also have to look at jobs, taxes, healthcare, education and energy when discussing it.”
Asked about Kemp’s plans for a $325 million investment to expand the University of Georgia Foundation’s DREAMS Scholarship Carr said he “absolutely” supports it. The scholarship, which stands for “Dedicating Resources to Educationally Advance More Students,” is need-based, rather than merit-based like the HOPE Scholarship.
“We’ve got to focus on workforce, whether it’s in our higher education or technical college system. I think both are critically important. As we go off into the future, we are going to need more people that understand how to use their hands — electricians, plumbers, welders, truck drivers,” Carr said. “It’s important that everyone has access and the ability to participate in higher education and technical colleges.”
