Georgia Freedom Caucus
Georgia Freedom Caucus | |
|---|---|
| Chairman | Greg Dolezal |
| Founded | December 2021 |
| Split from | House Republican Caucus |
| Ideology | |
| Political position | |
| National affiliation | Republican Party |
The Georgia Freedom Caucus is a legislative caucus of Republican members in the Georgia General Assembly that promotes ultra-conservative policies, such as spending and tax reductions, limited government power, and the promotion of a conservative social agenda critical of DEI policies, LGBT+ initiatives, and abortion. It is affiliated with the State Freedom Caucus Network, and modeled after the Freedom Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives.[1]
History
[edit]The Freedom Caucus was created in December 2021 as part of the State Freedom Caucus Network's efforts to create a Freedom Caucus in all state legislatures. President of the Network, Andy Roth, said the Georgia Freedom Caucus would give conservative lawmakers "the resources and the manpower to fight back" against "special interests by the establishment in both parties".[1] The Network provides staffing and political support to its state caucuses.[2]
A key founding member and former Georgia Representative Phillip Singleton said Republican leadership punish "members that don't toe the line" and that the Freedom Caucus will be more willing to bring conservative legislation to the voting floor.[1][3]
After launching the Caucus, the group hosted a gala featuring former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows.[3]
Political positions and involvement
[edit]The Caucus seeks to introduce conservative legislation, while blocking legislation (especially those that "increase the size and scope of government and infringes on personal liberties").[1] It aims to "move outcomes to the political right".[2]
Intra-party relationship
[edit]The Freedom Caucus has a contentious relationship with more moderate House and Senate Republican Caucuses.[1] Two founding members, Singleton and Sen. Burt Jones, claimed the leadership of their respective chambers retaliated against them for dissenting from the party line, calling it a "culture of cancellation".[1][3] The Caucus represents a more Trumpian, populist conservative compared to the traditional conservative represented by the Republican Caucuses.[3]
Another Caucus member, Senator Colton Moore, was banned from the House by Republican leadership after he called the chamber's former Speaker, fellow Republican David Ralston, "one of the most corrupt leaders in Georgia” during an unveiling of Ralston's official portrait.[4] Moore was later arrested for attempting to enter the chamber following his ban. He called his arrest evidence of "tyranny".[4]
Education
[edit]The Caucus wants to keep “dangerous ideology” from being taught in classrooms.[2] In the wake of the 2024 Apalachee High School shooting, the Caucus opposed a bill designed to increase school safety through increased reporting requirements and information sharing between schools and districts, calling it a "school surveillance” bill.[5]
Gun control
[edit]The Caucus supported passing a constitutional carry law, which went into effect in January 2023.[3][6]
Tax policy
[edit]Moore said the Caucus supports eliminating the state's income tax, calling the tax an example of “mafia rule”.[7][3] The Caucus has opposed efforts to provide tax breaks to industrial and manufacturing companies, finding its members aligned with House's only Democratic socialist member.[8]
Members
[edit]The Caucus does not publish its membership, but members are free to disclose their association.[1]
Current members
[edit]- Sen. Greg Dolezal (R–Alpharetta) – Chairman[1]
- Sen. Colton Moore (R–Trenton)[7]
- Rep. Charlice Byrd (R–Cherokee County)[1]
- Rep. Emory Dunahoo (R–Gillsville)[1]
- Rep. Noelle Kahaian (R–Locust Grove)[9]
Former members
[edit]- Sen. Brandon Beach (R–Alpharetta)[1]
- Sen. Burt Jones (R–Jackson)[1]
- Rep. Timothy Barr (R–Lawrenceville)[1]
- Rep. Sheri Gilligan (R–Cumming)[1]
- Rep. Phillip Singleton (R–Sharpsburg)[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Williams, Ross (2021-12-15). "National right-wing state-level freedom caucus launches at Georgia Capitol • Georgia Recorder". Georgia Recorder. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
- ^ a b c Amy, Jeff (2021-12-14). "New Georgia Freedom Caucus seeks right turn in state policy". Associated Press. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
- ^ a b c d e f Bluestein, Greg. "New 'Freedom' caucus aims to pull GOP lawmakers further to right". Political Insider (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution). Retrieved 2025-10-21.
- ^ a b Xu, Meimei (2025-01-17). "Georgia House Speaker partially reverses ban of senator following scuffle and arrest". WABE. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
- ^ Williams, Ross (2025-03-05). "Schools on minds of Georgia lawmakers ahead of this week's key 2025 legislative deadline • Georgia Recorder". Georgia Recorder. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
- ^ Wiggins, Destiny (2023-01-04). "Georgia's Constitutional Carry Law goes into effect; No permit needed to carry". WTGS. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
- ^ a b Jarrett, Kim (2025-09-08). "Moore: State income tax top priority of Freedom Caucus". The Center Square. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
- ^ Baruchman, Michelle (2025-04-23). "After his first session, the only Socialist in the Georgia House beat expectations". ajc. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
- ^ Bluestein, Greg (2025-05-19). "Georgia abortion law questioned as brain-dead pregnant woman is kept on life support". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
