NE Atlanta News

Nathaniel Darnell strongly believes Matt Gurtler is the best choice to be the Republican candidate to represent Georgia's Ninth Congressional District.

Gurtler, in his second term representing District 8 in the state House of Representatives, will face armory owner Andrew Clyde in an Aug. 11 runoff.

Darnell, the third vice president of the Georgia Republican Assembly and chairman of the Cobb County Republican Assembly, has been impressed working with Gurtler on past campaigns.

Nathaniel Darnell | Submitted

“I’ve known Matt since he first ran for state House, and helped campaign for him. Then we campaigned for him again each time he ran for re-election, especially after seeing how true he was to his word in how he voted in office,” he told NE Atlanta News. “In both of those elections, even though Speaker David Ralston and Governor Nathan Deal helped his primary opponents, he won with around 60 percent of the primary vote. The people in his district love him!”

Gurtler, who lives in Tiger with his wife Marissa and their infant daughter Olivia, was only 27 when elected to represent House District 8 in 2016. The district includes Union, Towns, Rabun and White counties.

He has made a name for himself with consistent conservative positions and votes, and proudly accepts the nickname “Dr. No” for his opposition to spending bills.

“Matt’s been someone we can really count on to stand up against government spending,” Darnell said. “He’s been a champion for constitutional carry, is opposed to omnibus spending and fights for the preborn. He’s not one of those guys to get along to go along. So, we’re very proud of him.”

That’s why the Georgia Republican Assembly ranked Gurtler at the top of its 2017 conservative Elected State Legislators with a legislative score of 96.

His work in the legislature has been popular with constituents as well, winning a second term with 60 percent of the vote even as the current speaker of the House and a former Republican governor campaigned for his opponent.

“He’s had a pretty overwhelming re-election despite opposition from the swamp in Atlanta,” Darnell said.

Gurtler has attracted attention from some prominent conservatives, being endorsed by U.S. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) and U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY). The Club for Growth and Gun Owners of America have also endorsed him.

“He’s more interested in doing the right thing than being popular,” Darnell said. “That’s why he’s the right guy to send to Congress.”

Gurtler’s opponent in the runoff is Andrew Clyde, a Navy veteran and owner of Clyde Armory.

Gurtler finished first in a crowded field in the June 9 primary, garnering 27,943 votes, or 21.3 percent. Clyde was second with 24,410 votes, or 18.6 percent.

District 9 state Rep. Kevin Tanner was third with 20,364 votes, good for 15.5 percent; Paul Broun collected 17,488, or 13.3 percent; and John Wilkinson had 15,816 votes, or 12.1 percent.

Four other candidates divided the rest of the votes.

Clyde has made news in the last decade, not for his political stances, but for a series of lawsuits, including at least a pair tied to violations of intellectual property rights, a study of court records shows. The lawsuits claimed he committed trademark infringement, dilution under federal law, deceptive trade practices, unfair competition and unjust enrichment under Georgia law.

The Democrats also face a runoff, with Brooke Siskin, who finished first on June 9 with 11,546 votes, or 41.5 percent, facing Army veteran Devin Pandy, who collected 9,150 votes, or 32.9 percent. Dan Wilson was third with 7,136, or 25.6 percent.

Siskin, who lost a 2012 legislative race, made headlines when jailed on July 9 for a contempt of court charge, her second arrest this year.

The 9th District, located in northeastern Georgia, includes Banks, Dawson, Elbert, Fannin, Franklin, Gilmer, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Jackson, Lumpkin, Madison, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union, and White counties, as well as sections of Clarke, Forsyth and Pickens counties.

The seat is being vacated by Rep. Doug Collins, who is running in a special election on Nov. 3 to complete Sen. Johnny Isakson' term which began in 2016. Isakson retired at the end of 2019, citing health concerns.

Gov. Brian Kemp appointed Kelly Loeffler to serve until the special election, in which Loeffler also is a candidate. The special election has all Senate hopefuls competing against other regardless of party.

Because of the high number of candidates, a January runoff seems likely. The winner will serve until the 2022 general election determines a full six-year term representative.

Darnell, 38, has not sought political office but has been very active in the Georgia GOP since 1996 as an aide in eight legislative sessions.

He was elected vice chair of communications for the Cobb County Republican Party in 2019 and had previously been executive director for three years. Darnell also served as a state committee member for the Georgia Republican Party in the 11th Congressional District for seven years.

He earned a juris doctorate from the Oak Brook College of Law and works as a licensed financial advisor and insurance professional. He and his wife Abigail live in Cobb County near Atlanta.