Latest news with #AtlantaJournal-Constitution
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Big money floods Georgia campaigns ahead of 2026 midterm battle
ATLANTA – A tidal wave of campaign cash is already inundating Georgia politics - long before most voters are paying attention to next year's high-stakes midterm elections. An Atlanta Journal-Constitution analysis of newly filed state and federal disclosures shows tens of millions of dollars in contributions and loans are rapidly restocking campaign accounts - the grist for the waves of TV ads, digital messaging and staffers that will soon blanket Georgia. The early surge is only a taste of the massive spending expected to define Georgia's 2026 election cycle, when Democrats aim to retake the Governor's Mansion for the first time in nearly three decades and defend U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff's seat. But the cash infusion is already reshaping the playing field. With millions pouring in, candidates are building out their infrastructure months ahead of the traditional campaign season. The race for campaign cash is also supercharged by a 2021 state law that allows nominees for governor, lieutenant governor and other legislative leaders raise unlimited funds through leadership committees - a tool that helped Gov. Brian Kemp and Democrat Stacey Abrams shatter fundraising records in their 2022 rematch. The law is under fire by a top candidate for governor. Attorney General Chris Carr filed an ethics complaint on Thursday arguing it gives his GOP rival, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, an unfair advantage by allowing Jones to stockpile millions while Carr and others can only raise a maximum of $26,400 from each donor. Senate Ossoff is a fundraising juggernaut. And so far, there's no runaway Republican favorite to challenge him. A review of second-quarter disclosures covering April to June shows he didn't just close the quarter with more than $15 million in his campaign account. Federal records show the Democratic incumbent has raised more money since 2021 than any other member of Congress facing voters in 2026. His total haul: nearly $42 million since his 2021 runoff victory - about $15 million more than the next closest U.S. senator on the list, Democrat Cory Booker of New Jersey, who built a national fundraising base during his 2020 presidential campaign. The two most prominent Republicans in the race, by contrast, raised a fraction of Ossoff's haul. U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter reported $4 million on hand, aided by a $2 million personal loan. Insurance Commissioner John King disclosed about $450,000 in the bank. That financial gap could encourage other Republicans to jump in. Former football coach Derek Dooley has met with key donors in Atlanta and Washington as he readies a potential bid. And U.S. Rep. Mike Collins of Jackson has repeatedly teased a run. Governor Jones is one of the wealthiest politicians in Georgia - and he's willing to put his money where his mouth is. Jones, who confirmed the worst kept secret in state politics by officially entering the race for governor this month, reported roughly $14.3 million cash on hand - including a $10 million personal loan. That ratchets up the pressure on Carr, who jumped into the race in November to get a fundraising head start. He has stockpiled about $2.7 million in the bank, with former U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss and ex-U. S. Rep. Tom Graves among his donors. Also looming are two other Republicans who could marshal giant donor networks: Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Rome. The two most prominent Democratic contenders were on roughly equal financial footing, with both reporting about $1 million in the bank. Democratic state Sen. Jason Esteves is drawing a chunk of his seven-figure haul from state party heavyweights, including former Gov. Roy Barnes, former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin and Jason Carter, the party's 2014 nominee for governor. Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms' donor list underscores her reach into national political and entertainment circles. The former Biden administration official reported contributions from Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer, U.S. Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester, rapper Clifford "T.I." Harris and media mogul Tyler Perry. Bottoms raised $900,000 and lent herself an additional $200,000. Congress In races for Congress, some embattled incumbents are already facing financial pressure from would-be opponents. Gainesville Mayor Sam Couvillon ended the quarter with nearly $300,000 in his campaign account - almost double the $170,000 raised by U.S. Rep. Andrew Clyde, the Republican incumbent he's challenging in next year's GOP primary. And Democratic U.S. Rep. David Scott, who is facing several prominent primary challengers, ended the quarter with roughly $212,000 on hand, including a $45,000 loan to his own campaign. Much of his haul came from PACs; he raised just $141 from individual donors. As for Carter's open Savannah-area seat, Republican Jim Kingston emerged as the early fundraising leader with more than $850,000 in the bank. Activist Kandiss Taylor, who ran for governor in 2022 on a far-right "Jesus, Guns and Babies" platform, reported only $3,000 on hand. Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
San Francisco Chronicle
3 days ago
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Rushing to save swimmers, a former baseball player and police officer loses his life
PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C. (AP) — Chase Childers, a former minor league baseball player and ex-police officer, has died after rushing into the ocean to save swimmers in a rip current, according to police in South Carolina and a GoFundMe page for his family. Trying to help a family of five, Childers paid 'the highest sacrifice with his life in front of his three children and wife,' according to the fundraiser. Childers died Sunday, the police department for Pawleys Island, which is south of Myrtle Beach, stated in a post on X. Police said he and another person 'entered the water to help 4 - 5 individuals who were in distress. Sadly, Mr. Childers was caught in the rip current, as well. He died trying to save others.' When the family and the other man came back to shore, police, firefighters and the Coast Guard searched for Childers, WCBD-TV in Charleston reported. His body was recovered about 90 minutes later. WCBD-TV reported that Childers, 38, lived in Dallas with his family, but they were vacationing on Pawleys Island. The island's police chief, Michael Fanning, said he believes Childers' 'first responder instincts kicked in' when he saw the family in distress. A rip current is a fast-moving column of water that flows away from the shore toward open water. Officials say swimmers caught in one should remain calm and then swim parallel to the shore to escape the current. Childers grew up in Georgia's Cobb County, which is northeast of Atlanta, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. Childers helped lead the North Cobb Christian School to a state baseball championship in 2003 and continued his baseball career at Georgia State University. Childers signed with the Baltimore Orioles in 2009 and played two seasons in the minor leagues for teams in Florida and West Virginia, according to Childers served as a police officer in Cobb County from 2011 to 2014, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. WCBD-TV reported that he received the Cobb County Police Department Life Saving award in 2012, while the GoFundMe page said he had saved several lives. 'Most importantly, he was a loving son, a dedicated brother, a treasured friend, an exceptional father to his three wonderful children, and the husband of his beautiful wife, Nataley, who had been his soulmate and best friend since they were teenagers,' the GoFundMe page stated.
Winnipeg Free Press
3 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Rushing to save swimmers, a former baseball player and police officer loses his life
PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C. (AP) — Chase Childers, a former minor league baseball player and ex-police officer, has died after rushing into the ocean to save swimmers in a rip current, according to police in South Carolina and a GoFundMe page for his family. Trying to help a family of five, Childers paid 'the highest sacrifice with his life in front of his three children and wife,' according to the fundraiser. Childers died Sunday, the police department for Pawleys Island, which is south of Myrtle Beach, stated in a post on X. Police said he and another person 'entered the water to help 4 – 5 individuals who were in distress. Sadly, Mr. Childers was caught in the rip current, as well. He died trying to save others.' When the family and the other man came back to shore, police, firefighters and the Coast Guard searched for Childers, WCBD-TV in Charleston reported. His body was recovered about 90 minutes later. WCBD-TV reported that Childers, 38, lived in Dallas with his family, but they were vacationing on Pawleys Island. The island's police chief, Michael Fanning, said he believes Childers' 'first responder instincts kicked in' when he saw the family in distress. A rip current is a fast-moving column of water that flows away from the shore toward open water. Officials say swimmers caught in one should remain calm and then swim parallel to the shore to escape the current. Childers grew up in Georgia's Cobb County, which is northeast of Atlanta, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. Childers helped lead the North Cobb Christian School to a state baseball championship in 2003 and continued his baseball career at Georgia State University. Childers signed with the Baltimore Orioles in 2009 and played two seasons in the minor leagues for teams in Florida and West Virginia, according to Childers served as a police officer in Cobb County from 2011 to 2014, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. WCBD-TV reported that he received the Cobb County Police Department Life Saving award in 2012, while the GoFundMe page said he had saved several lives. 'Most importantly, he was a loving son, a dedicated brother, a treasured friend, an exceptional father to his three wonderful children, and the husband of his beautiful wife, Nataley, who had been his soulmate and best friend since they were teenagers,' the GoFundMe page stated.
Hamilton Spectator
3 days ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Rushing to save swimmers, a former baseball player and police officer loses his life
PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C. (AP) — Chase Childers, a former minor league baseball player and ex-police officer, has died after rushing into the ocean to save swimmers in a rip current, according to police in South Carolina and a GoFundMe page for his family. Trying to help a family of five, Childers paid 'the highest sacrifice with his life in front of his three children and wife,' according to the fundraiser. Childers died Sunday, the police department for Pawleys Island, which is south of Myrtle Beach, stated in a post on X. Police said he and another person 'entered the water to help 4 - 5 individuals who were in distress. Sadly, Mr. Childers was caught in the rip current, as well. He died trying to save others.' When the family and the other man came back to shore, police, firefighters and the Coast Guard searched for Childers, WCBD-TV in Charleston reported. His body was recovered about 90 minutes later. WCBD-TV reported that Childers, 38, lived in Dallas with his family, but they were vacationing on Pawleys Island. The island's police chief, Michael Fanning, said he believes Childers' 'first responder instincts kicked in' when he saw the family in distress. A rip current is a fast-moving column of water that flows away from the shore toward open water. Officials say swimmers caught in one should remain calm and then swim parallel to the shore to escape the current. Childers grew up in Georgia's Cobb County, which is northeast of Atlanta, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported . Childers helped lead the North Cobb Christian School to a state baseball championship in 2003 and continued his baseball career at Georgia State University. Childers signed with the Baltimore Orioles in 2009 and played two seasons in the minor leagues for teams in Florida and West Virginia, according to . Childers served as a police officer in Cobb County from 2011 to 2014, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. WCBD-TV reported that he received the Cobb County Police Department Life Saving award in 2012, while the GoFundMe page said he had saved several lives. 'Most importantly, he was a loving son, a dedicated brother, a treasured friend, an exceptional father to his three wonderful children, and the husband of his beautiful wife, Nataley, who had been his soulmate and best friend since they were teenagers,' the GoFundMe page stated. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
3 days ago
- Sport
Rushing to save swimmers, a former baseball player and police officer loses his life
PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C. -- Chase Childers, a former minor league baseball player and ex-police officer, has died after rushing into the ocean to save swimmers in a rip current, according to police in South Carolina and a GoFundMe page for his family. Trying to help a family of five, Childers paid 'the highest sacrifice with his life in front of his three children and wife,' according to the fundraiser. Childers died Sunday, the police department for Pawleys Island, which is south of Myrtle Beach, stated in a post on X. Police said he and another person 'entered the water to help 4 - 5 individuals who were in distress. Sadly, Mr. Childers was caught in the rip current, as well. He died trying to save others.' When the family and the other man came back to shore, police, firefighters and the Coast Guard searched for Childers, WCBD-TV in Charleston reported. His body was recovered about 90 minutes later. WCBD-TV reported that Childers, 38, lived in Dallas with his family, but they were vacationing on Pawleys Island. The island's police chief, Michael Fanning, said he believes Childers' 'first responder instincts kicked in' when he saw the family in distress. A rip current is a fast-moving column of water that flows away from the shore toward open water. Officials say swimmers caught in one should remain calm and then swim parallel to the shore to escape the current. Childers grew up in Georgia's Cobb County, which is northeast of Atlanta, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. Childers helped lead the North Cobb Christian School to a state baseball championship in 2003 and continued his baseball career at Georgia State University. Childers signed with the Baltimore Orioles in 2009 and played two seasons in the minor leagues for teams in Florida and West Virginia, according to Childers served as a police officer in Cobb County from 2011 to 2014, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. WCBD-TV reported that he received the Cobb County Police Department Life Saving award in 2012, while the GoFundMe page said he had saved several lives. 'Most importantly, he was a loving son, a dedicated brother, a treasured friend, an exceptional father to his three wonderful children, and the husband of his beautiful wife, Nataley, who had been his soulmate and best friend since they were teenagers,' the GoFundMe page stated.
