Burt Jones, Republican nominee for lieutenant governor of Georgia, took exception to the assertion by Stacey Abrams that Governor Kemp is more concerned with “protecting dangerous people” than the economy of the state by affirming the right for Peach State citizens to bear arms with the signing of the constitutional carry law.
“Music Midtown is the new All Star Game. It’s still illegal for criminals to carry guns, and Georgia continues to see record voter turnout. Notice a trend? Her name is Stacey Abrams–and she’s still being dishonest with Georgia voters,” Jones tweeted on Tuesday.
The music festival company announced on Monday that they had cancelled the event and would issue refunds to all customers who had already paid for tickets.
“Hey Midtown fans – due to circumstances beyond our control, Music Midtown will no longer be taking place this year,” the company said on Twitter.
Abrams made the assertion that the cancellation of the music festival will cost the Peach State millions.
“The cancellation of Music Midtown will cost Georgia’s economy $50 million,” the DNC establishment-backed Wisconsinite said.
However, a Georgia-based economist pointed out that the $50 million figure sources back to Music Midtown itself.
“Where does the $50 million Music Midtown impact come from? Oh, it’s self-provided by Music Midtown. [It] took me two minutes to track it down. Reporters, you have to do better than this. Stop reporting garbage economic impact numbers without vetting them,” economist J.C. Bradbury said.
Georgia-based talk radio show host Erick Erickson said that the cancellation was due to a down year for the festival.
“Ticket sales were down. They’re offering an in-kind contribution to Abrams with their excuse-making to distract from low sales,” Erick Erickson said.
The governor of North Carolina took the opportunity to recruit the music festival company to the Tarheel state.
“Hey @musicmidtown! Come on up to North Carolina. We’re ready to welcome you to one of our amazing outdoor spaces to help you host a fun and safe festival,” Governor Roy Cooper, a Democrat, posted on Twitter.
Kemp signed Senate Bill 319 (SB319) and House Bill 218 (HB 218), which is a license reciprocity measure, into law on April 13th.
“They have tried to boycott, sue, and threaten all of us into making our state look more like New York or California,” Gov. Kemp said at the time.
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Addison Basurto is a reporter at The Georgia Star News and The Star News Network. Follow Addy on Twitter and GETTR. Email tips to [email protected]
Photo “Burt Jones” by Burt Jones. Photo “Stacey Abrams” by Stacey Abrams. Background Photo “Music Midtown” by Music Midtown.
