Paul Troop Formally Announces Run For House District 50 Seat

The man who challenged and lost to Lynne Riley in the Nov. 4 general election is on the ballot again in a bid to represent Johns Creek in the Georgia House of Representatives.

Paul M. Troop has formally announced his plans to run in the Jan. 6 special election to fill the State House District 50 seat, which became vacant when Lynne Riley was tapped by Gov. Nathan Deal to serve as the state Department of Revenue commissioner.

Troop ran as a Democrat in the Nov. 4 election, but did not list any party affiliation when he qualified. If elected, Troop said he will not caucus with the Democrats or the Republicans.

“I will be free to vote the consciences of my constituents and myself,” he added. “There will be times when I vote with the Republicans and times when I vote with the Democrats. But whatever way I vote, it will be for the best interests of the people of Johns Creek.”

Troop, a 16 year resident of Johns Creek and 44 year resident of Georgia, is a retired journalist and public relations executive.

“I came here as a business writer for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. I learned how the Georgia economy works; how vital transportation is to job growth in this state. That’s why transportation will be another high priority of mine in the State House.”

Other priority for Troop includes taxes, adding that under a proposed Fair Tax, “there will be far more losers than winners.”

“And counted in those losers will be upper middle class families like those here in Johns Creeks,” he added. “They will be angry at anyone who even suggests such an idea. I want a full debate on the Fair Tax.”

Troop also encouraged voters to turn the Jan. 6 special election into a referendum on the state’s cuts to education, noting parents “should demand the return to full funding for a full cirriculum.”

“I will fight to put the money back,” he added.

The candidate noted that while he ran as a Democrat in the general election, he said he had “deep reservations” about several positions taken by the party. While he said he agreed with the full restoration of funding for the HOPE Scholarship, he said he opposed “means testing.” The scholarship, he added, should be awarded to any qualifying student.

Troop is running in a crowded field, which includes Republicans Kelly Leigh Stewart, Royce M. Reinecke and Bradford Jay Raffensperger and Libertarian Christine A. Austin.

Citizens who are not registered to vote and who desire to vote in the special election must register to vote before the close of business on Dec. 8, 2014.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan, 6, 2015.

Photo credit: Paul Troop.