Josh McKoon, chairman of the Georgia Republican Party (GAGOP), has rejected calls urging him to run for the Peach State’s third congressional district amid current congressman Drew Ferguson’s (R-GA-03) retirement.
“With the news last week about Georgia’s Third Congressional District being an open seat, I received many phone calls, texts, and emails encouraging me to jump back into the elected fray and run for Congress,” McKoon wrote in a social media post on Monday. “While it is flattering and humbling to have the confidence and support of so many fellow Republicans, I will not be a candidate for this office.”
With the news last week about Georgia’s Third Congressional District being an open seat, I received many phone calls, texts, and emails encouraging me to jump back into the elected fray and run for Congress.
While it is flattering and humbling to have the confidence and support…
— Josh McKoon 🇺🇸 🇹🇼 🇮🇱 (@JoshMcKoon) December 18, 2023
“I made a commitment on June 10 for two years to the Georgia Republican Party and I intend to honor it,” McKoon added. “For me, there is no more important political task than putting Georgia in the Republican column for our Presidential candidate next year. So my focus remains devoted to that task!”
Congressman Ferguson announced his retirement from the U.S. House of Representatives last week, effective upon the conclusion of the 118th Congress.
During his time in Congress, Ferguson served on many committees including the House Ways and Means Committee, House Budget Committee, and in House leadership as the Chief Deputy Whip.
Before being elected to the U.S. House, Ferguson served as mayor of West Point, Georgia from 2008 to 2016.
GAGOP’s McKoon released a statement following Ferguson’s retirement announcement last week, saying, “Congressman Ferguson has been a dedicated public servant, tirelessly contributing to Georgia since 2008, initially as the Mayor of West Point and later as the Congressman for CD-3 since 2017. His impending retirement at the year’s end is undoubtedly a loss for both Georgia and the entire nation. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Congressman Ferguson and his family, wishing them nothing but success and fulfillment in their future endeavors.”
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp also commented on Ferguson’s retirement, saying, “Representative Drew Ferguson has served the people of Georgia with distinction and has always been a valued partner in our efforts to keep Georgia the No. 1 state for business. He stood alongside us to attract record jobs and investment while also helping to push back on government overreach. That principled leadership is a valuable asset for both the state and nation, and his contributions in the U.S. House of Representatives will remain impactful even after his departure at the end of this term.”
The Republican primary for U.S. House District 3 in Georgia is scheduled for May 21, 2024.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Georgia Star News and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Photo “Josh McK00n by Josh McKoon and “Rep Drew Ferguson” is by Rep. Jason Smith.
