Statement in Response to Election Threats & Raffensperger calls for Firing
Fulton County Commission Candidate Maggie Goldman Expresses Support for Fulton's Election Workers Amidst Campaign of Threats and Harassment by Trump Supporters
Recent news reports (Reuters) have highlighted a vile campaign of violent threats, aggressive harassment, and abusive bullying against Fulton County election workers (among others in Georgia and nationwide). Since the November 2020 Presidential election, and continuing to this day, Fulton County election workers and leaders at the Fulton County Board of Elections have faced unacceptable treatment by some supporters of former President Trump that is meant to intimidate them and cause harm. This behavior, which includes death threats, and the use of race and gender based threats and hatred, is unacceptable, and is incumbent upon leaders in our community to express their support and appreciation for our election's workers and do whatever we can to protect them from this campaign of harassment, abuse, and hate by a group of bullies who are angry because the votes in Fulton County were counted completely, accurately, and with a result that did not favor their preferred candidate(s).
A coordinated effort by former President Trump and his allies in the Republican party and the media have resulted in widespread rumors and lies about what happened with the count in Fulton County in both the Presidential election and the Senate runoffs. While many have rightfully refuted these lies and are focused on making elections in Fulton County and across Georgia fair, and more accessible in a bipartisan manner, others have chosen to pursue a vindictive campaign to punish Fulton County elections, and are choosing to either look the other way or actively support the bullying that Fulton County elections workers are enduring. Elections workers are public servants, and they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Losing a close election is never an excuse to spread lies or engage in a campaign of hate.
Most recently Republicans on the Fulton County Commission voted to reject adequate funding for upcoming municipal elections in Fulton's cities including John's Creek, Alpharetta, Sandy Springs, and Roswell, in part because of their support of a fraudulent conspiracy theory spread by supporters of former President Trump regarding the staffing agency used to provide elections workers to the county.
Last week, (USAToday) Secretary of State Raffensperger also continues to disparage Fulton County elections in public, rather than working with them to improve elections in our county. Republican embrace of these baseless attacks on the integrity of our elections, and on our civil servants who work in Fulton County elections must stop.
As a candidate for Fulton County Commission I have the confidence in the integrity and professionalism of Fulton County elections workers to conduct our elections fairly and within the laws of our state, county, and nation, and if elected to the Fulton County Commission I will continue to advocate for elections that are free, accessible, accurate, and take place as efficiently as possible. Those who have concerns about our elections should be working with Fulton County elections to make the process better instead of indulging in baseless conspiracy theories.
At this time, I call on my opponent Commissioner Liz Hausmann to also express her support for our elections workers, condemn the hate and threats they continue to face and join me in expressing support for free and accessible elections in Fulton County. While Commissioner Hausmann has voted in support of firing Elections Director Richard Barron, certainly she is against the vile and racists threats Mr. Barron, Ralph Jones and other elections staff have been receiving.
It's time to show that we are better than this, and hold those responsible for spreading lies about Fulton County elections, and threatening election workers and officials accountable. Our elections workers need our support.
The learn more about Maggie Goldman’s campaign for Fulton County Commission District 1, please visit www.maggie4fulton.com