NW Georgia News

The political contributions made by two leading Republican candidates for Georgia's 9th Congressional District indicate that one will act more independently and conservatively than the other candidate, experts said. 

Funding data from the Center for Responsible Politics revealed that state Rep. Matt Gurtler, who has represented Georgia's 8th House District since 2017, has only made one political contribution. The data shows that Athens business owner Andrew Clyde has contributed to numerous political candidates.

“When you follow the money it tells a lot about the candidate,” Norine Cantor, treasurer of the Georgia Republican Assembly, told NW Georgia News. “With big donations, you are accountable to the donor and they control your vote. If you vote against them, you lose your funding."

Since 2007, Clyde has contributed more than $70,000 to Paul Ryan, Jody Hice, Doug Collins and other political candidates. 

“I do not know Andrew Clyde, but if he supported Paul Ryan, he is not a Donald Trump supporter,” Cantor said. “I will never vote for someone who does not support our great President Donald J. Trump. Paul Ryan was a ‘Never Trumper’ and tried turning others against President Trump and stop him at every turn.”

A "Never Trumper" is a Republican or conservative who does not support President Donald Trump.

“People in the 9th District are very conservative and we will never put a ‘Never Trumper’ in Congress in this race,” Cantor said. “Andrew to me is a 'Never Trumper.' When you donate to people, it tells a lot about the person.”

Gurtler made one contribution to Thomas Massie, a Republican member of the U.S. House in Kentucky for the 4th District. Massie is currently campaigning for re-election in the Republican primary on June 23.

“Massie is a good guy at the Capitol and voted right on some issues,” Cantor said. “I understand Massie is a libertarian."

Gurtler was named Georgia's most conservative legislator by the Georgia Republican Assembly. Like other conservatives in the Georgia House of Representatives, he has had to contend with House Speaker David Ralston, as previously reported in NW Georgia News.

“Matt is a nice friendly guy and did a good job when he was at the Capitol,” Cantor said. “He went against Ralston and when you go against Ralston, you get no money for your district and no committee. Matt really pushed hard to get conceal carry in the state.”

Gurtler’s constitutional carry legislation hasn’t advanced due to his adverse relationship with Ralston, as recently reported in Georgia Business Daily.