Valdosta Fundraiser

Bill's coming to Lowndes County next Saturday. The Saegers are hosting a fundraiser at their house, Park @ Williams, 7-9PM, 27 September. Contact Cameron Brenchley for more information, chbrenchley@hotmail.com.

Come meet Bill, ask him about helping as a statesman to end the war in Iraq and to prevent wars using soft power.

This event is not just for Valdosta: Lowndes County, Brooks, Echols, Lanier, Berrien, Cook, etc.; all are invited.

Glynn County Meet and Greet

Bill's a travelling candidate. Tomorrow, Thursday 18 September 2008, he'll be in Glynn County on St. Simon's Island.

You are invited to meet Bill Gillespie at a fundraising party at the home of David and Audrey Stewart. Co-hosts are Joan and Jack Ross. Wine and other beverages and finger foods will available.

Details here. Go, meet Bill, ask about his South Georgia Energy Initiative. Don't be late; be ready to donate.

ALERT: Gen. Wesley Clark Endorses Gillespie

SAVANNAH, Ga. (September 12, 2008) – Gen. Wesley Clark and his political action committee, WesPAC-Securing America’s Future, have endorsed Democrat Bill Gillespie in Georgia’s First Congressional District election.

Gillespie served 23 years in the Army, working in various leadership positions while stationed in places such as Korea, Germany and the Middle East. He served in Iraq as Senior Logistician for the Third Infantry Division, earning a Bronze Star. Gillespie retired last year as a Lt. Colonel and disabled veteran.

Clark said, “I am proud to endorse Lt. Col. (ret.) Bill Gillespie for Congress. America has reached a critical point, and we need strong leaders in Washington with the courage, knowledge and integrity to overcome our many challenges at home and abroad. Bill’s ideas to develop alternative energy, lower taxes for families and small businesses and recruit manufacturing back to America are just what the ailing economy needs. I also support Bill because he’ll fight hard to increase healthcare, education and other benefits for our brave veterans. Bill represents a hope for change in southeast Georgia - a change to government that represents the people not just special interests with lots of money.”

Clark, who was a 2004 candidate for President, spent 34 years in the Army and the Department of Defense, receiving many military decorations. He commanded Operation Allied Force in the Kosovo War during his term as NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe from 1997 to 2000.

Gillespie said, “I am honored by the endorsement of Gen. Wesley Clark, one of our country’s finest military and political leaders. We share many goals, especially making sure our country honors the sacrifices of our troops and their families by taking good care of them when they return home. Last year the Democratic-majority in Congress passed the largest ever funding increase in the 77-year history of the Veterans’ Administration. It is still not enough. The toll of the War on Terror on our military has been large, and I will seek even more increases in funding for veterans benefits.”

Press Release: Gillespie Attends DNCC

DENVER, Colo. (August 26, 2008) - First Congressional District Democratic candidate Bill Gillespie of Chatham County is attending this week's Democratic National Committee Convention in Denver. Gillespie is participating in several events during the week, including speaking at a Press Conference on Tuesday, August 26 at 6:30 p.m. (MT) at Coors Field featuring the Democratic Party's military veteran Congressional candidates. The Press Conference is part of the Future Leaders of America Reception, an event Tuesday night honoring Gillespie and other veteran candidates. Hosts include veteran organizations and Congressman John Salazar (D-CO), Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Congressman Joe Sestak (D- PA), Congressman Phil Hare (D-IL), and Congressman Tim Walz (D-MN). C-SPAN will broadcast the event.

"Our country has a duty to honor the sacrifices by our troops, their families and veterans by making sure we take care of them when they come home. Last year the Democratic-majority in Congress passed the largest ever funding increase in the 77-year history of the Veterans' Administration. It is still not enough. The toll of the War on Terror on our military has been large, and I will seek even more increases in funding for veterans benefits as Congressman," said the 44-year-old Gillespie, who has also proposed that all veterans get a healthcare card that allows them to seek care outside the VA system at whatever facility they prefer.

Gillespie, a retired Lt. Colonel who served with the Third Infantry Division and earned a Bronze Star in Iraq, launched his candidacy for Congress in October 2007. Since then, he has traveled throughout southeast Georgia talking with citizens and building a campaign organization. In a strong showing of base support in the primary election, Gillespie received more votes in the Democratic Primary than incumbent Jack Kingston received in the Republican Primary, each running unopposed.

Happy 73rd Birthday Social Security

Press Conference: Save Social Security

SAVANNAH, Ga. - Leaders from the Democratic Party of Georgia and Chatham County Democratic Party, as well as First Congressional District Democratic candidate Bill Gillespie are holding a Press Conference Thursday, August 7, to discuss a report released yesterday by the Institute For America's Future that analyzes the impact on Georgia of privatizing Social Security. The Press Conference starts at 11:00 a.m. in Savannah's Johnson Square off Bull Street. Media and the public are invited to attend. Speakers include Gillespie, Democratic Party of Georgia 12th Congressional District Chair Tony Center, and Chatham County Democratic Party Chair Karen Arms.

The report from the Institute For America's Future says there'll be dire consequences for Georgians if plans to privatize Social Security become law. It says privatization would cut lifetime benefits by as much as $229,019 per person, and make 217,000 senior citizens vulnerable to poverty in Georgia. The report also says that 1,305,000 people in Georgia depend on their earned Social Security benefit every month, according to the Social Security Administration. Thousands of businesses and the state government also depend on the program. More than $15.1 billion flows into the Georgia economy from Social Security each year, says the report.

To read the report click here.

At the Press Conference, Democratic Party leaders will detail the report's findings, and discuss the importance of saving Social Security from being privatized by Republican Presidential candidate John McCain and others. 'Privatizing' Social Security is the process of diverting payroll taxes from the Social Security fund into private stock market accounts.

Featured Event: Atlanta Reception August 16

You are cordially invited by these Hosts to attend a reception in support of Lt. Col. (ret.) Bill Gillespie:

Page Gleason & Richard Campbell
Shana & Scott Sutton
Catherine Smith & Jerry Tyler
Amanda Zbinden & Beth Keller
Kyle Bailey & many others*

Saturday, August 16, 2008
4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

JCT Kitchen
1198 Howell Mill Rd., Suite 18
(Inside Westside Urban Market)
Atlanta, Georgia

Come enjoy great food, fellowship and politics
RSVP (912) 507-8278 or natalie@billforgeorgia.com
Host Committee $100 / Minimum Suggested Donation $40.00
*Host Committee at time of invitation printing

Press Release: Gillespie wins more votes than Kingston in First District Primary elections

TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. (July 18, 2008) – First Congressional District Democratic candidate Bill Gillespie of Chatham County has won more votes in his primary election than incumbent Republican Jack Kingston.

With 97 percent of the precincts reporting, challenger Gillespie has received 32,734 votes in the Democratic Primary while incumbent Jack Kingston has only 32,430 votes in the Republican Primary. Click Here For Official Results.

The 32,734 votes Gillespie received in the 2008 Democratic Primary is 12,000 more votes than Democratic nominee Jim Nelson (20,722 votes) received in the last primary in 2006. (See page 6)

Gillespie, a retired Lt. Colonel who served with the Third Infantry Division and earned a Bronze Star in Iraq, launched his candidacy for Congress in October 2007. Since then, he has traveled throughout southeast Georgia talking with citizens and building a campaign organization.

“The results of the primary election show that Democratic support for my campaign is very strong and that the Democratic Party is alive and well in southeast Georgia,” said the 44-year-old Gillespie, who has launched a website, www.BillForGeorgia.com.

Gillespie also said he believes his background, message and vision for southeast Georgia will appeal to General Election voters too, no matter if they’re Democrat, Republican or independent.

“People are frustrated that Washington and its insiders are not meeting the important challenges of our time,” Gillespie said. “I understand how to lead southeast Georgia to prosperity in the global economy and to safety in an unstable world. I pledge to offer strong leadership that puts people first.”

Gillespie says his 23-year Army career, including time in Iraq as the Third Infantry Division’s Senior Logistician, prepared him well to be a Congressman who can defend America from terrorism and lead the United States toward winning the peace in Iraq.

His top domestic issue is creating the South Georgia Alternative Energy Initiative, making the region the center of American research and production of agri-fuel, solar, wind, methane and other alternative energies. “This initiative will bring high-paying jobs to southeast Georgia, which we desperately need,” Gillespie said.

Gillespie’s other top issues include: stopping illegal immigration, reforming the healthcare and insurance industries, improving benefits for veterans, lowering taxes for families and small businesses, repealing the No Child Left Behind Act, balancing the federal budget, and promoting ‘sustainable development.’

Vote tomorrow in the Democratic Primary!

I ask for your vote tomorrow in the Democratic Primary. I want to bring good jobs to our region, be a part of forming a smart foreign policy for America, and lead the effort to clean up Congress from the corruption of monied special interests. Even though I am running unopposed for the party's First District nomination, I want to win more votes than the incumbent Republican to show my base is strong. Polls are open in your community from 7am-7pm. Click here to locate your poll. Thank you for your support. Together, we can make our community a better place.