Former TV News Anchor To Run For 6th Congressional District Seat

MILTON, GA -- A former television anchor for an Atlanta-based broadcast network has announced his plans to run for Congress. Bobby Kaple, a former anchor for CBS 46, is running as a Democrat for the 6th Congressional District seat held by incumbent Republican Karen Handel. Handel won the seat in the closely watched, hotly contested race against Democrat Jon Ossoff after the post became vacant when President Donald Trump tapped Tom Price to serve as the country's health secretary.

On Monday, Kaple said our nation's capital is "broken," and that career politicians are "more interested in serving the special interests instead of their constituents."

"It’s time for a new generation of leaders ready to get things done," Kaple added. "We can’t end the dysfunction in Washington if we keep sending career politicians and expecting different results.”

Kaple notes he started as a "gofer" in the TV business, and eventually worked his way up to claim the anchor desk in Atlanta. His career has taken him all over this country, but Kaple and wife Rebecca knew they wanted to raise their kids in Milton (SIGN UP: Get Patch's Daily Newsletter and Real Time News Alerts. Or, if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app).

The race to fill the seat drew nationwide attention, as many political and entertainment heavyweights all descended onto metro Atlanta to stump for the candidates. Handel got support from Vice President Mike Pence, and President Trump took to Twitter to encourage voters to cast their ballots for the Alpharetta resident. The president also made an appearance at a fundraiser for the candidate, bringing in $750,000 for Handel. On the other side of the aisle, former Georgia Governor Roy Barnes and actress Alyssa Milano campaigned for Ossoff while in Atlanta. The spotlight on the race also resulted in the battle becoming one of the most expensive races for a U.S. House of Representatives seat.

The 6th Congressional District covers the North Fulton County cities of Roswell, Sandy Springs, Alpharetta, Milton, Mountain Park and Johns Creek. It also includes parts of East Cobb and the parts of the DeKalb County cities of Dunwoody and Brookhaven.

“Healthcare coverage is a big priority for me," Kaple continued. "Growing up, I watched my mother battle breast cancer while building her successful business. Then, I spent the longest two weeks of my life watching my children struggle to learn to breathe on their own.”

Kaple’s twin children were born prematurely and spent the first weeks of their lives in the NICU at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta. The former anchor said he's running for Congress to serve as a voice for his children, mother, family and countless friends and neighbors who, through no fault of their own, all have pre-existing medical conditions.

"In Congress, I’ll fight passionately to make sure every American has access to affordable healthcare," he said. "I will not sit by and let Washington politicians take us back to the days of denying coverage to those who are sick and placing lifetime caps on people’s care. That’s wrong and people here know better.”

Kaple touts himself as a fiscally responsible leader who plans to bring a "new sense of commitment" to the district. He and his wife are raising their toddler twins in Milton, the North Fulton city known for its more rural and tranquil atmosphere.

You can learn more about the candidate by visiting his website.

Image via Bobby Kaple