Mike Keown Reaches ‘Contender’ Status
Georgia Republican Takes Critical Second Step in ‘Young Guns’ Program
Washington- The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) has officially announced that Republican Mike Keown (GA-02) has reached ‘Contender’ status as part of its Young Guns program. ‘Contender’ status is the second step in the three-level program. Keown now faces a new set of benchmarks to reach ‘Young Gun’ status in his bid to represent Georgia’s Second Congressional District, a swing district carried by President Bush in 2004. His opponent is incumbent Democrat Rep. Sanford Bishop, a longtime Washington politician who has rubber-stamped nearly every one of President Obama’s job-killing initiatives, including the stimulus, cap-and-trade and healthcare.
Founded in the 2007-2008 election cycle by Reps. Eric Cantor (R-VA), Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Paul Ryan (R-WI), the Young Guns program is a member-driven organization dedicated to electing open-seat and challenger candidates nationwide. By achieving ‘Contender’ status, Keown has already demonstrated his ability to build a successful campaign structure and achieve vital fundraising goals.
“Mike Keown has met a series of rigorous fundraising and campaign goals that will go a long way in helping to put this seat in the Republican column,” said NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions (R-TX). “Mike is part of a strong and growing pool of candidates who are frustrated with the Democrat majority’s big-government ways and aren’t willing to stand by any longer. The success of his campaign has put congressional Democrats on notice that Americans are ready to turn the page on the failed experiment known as the Obama-Pelosi agenda.”
Mike Keown has dedicated his life to serving the people of southwest Georgia. After earning his doctorate in ministry, Keown went on to complete the State of Georgia’s Management Development Training Program in 1993 and earned a Certified Public Managers Certificate from the University of Georgia in 1994. Having previously been elected Mayor of Coolidge, Mike has also served as Chairman of the Thomas County Board of Education and Georgia state representative. In addition to his public service, Mike is a preacher by training and worked in Georgia’s correctional facilities as a superintendent, deputy warden and chaplain.
Keown raised eyebrows by outraising Bishop in the 2nd Quarter and posting just $168,000 cash-on-hand less than the incumbent. He also won his three-way primary last week with a resounding 81% of the vote. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report responded by downgrading Bishop’s re-election prospects, from “Safe Democrat” to the more competitive “Likely Democrat.”
Mike Keown now faces a new set of rigorous goals that will elevate him to the top level of the Young Guns program and help him build a competitive, effective and winning campaign.
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