ATL Standard

Erick Erickson, a popular conservative radio show host and Georgia General Assembly watchdog, believes Matt Gurtler will succeed in the United States Congress.

Andrew Clyde, 56, and Gurtler, 31, will face each other in the Aug. 11 runoff for the U.S. House 9th District Republican nomination. Clyde, a gun store owner, and Gurtler, a home builder, recently held an online debate to discuss the issues.

Erickson is a seasoned political pundit who served as editor of RedState.com for a decade and now serves as editor of The Resurgent. He also hosts a radio show in Georgia with a morning show covering the entire state and broadcasts the evening news hour on WSB Radio in Atlanta, the nation’s most listened to news-talk station.

He does not mince words when it comes down to who he supports in the August 11 GOP runoff.

"Matt Gurtler is the best choice because he has a record that can be measured against his rhetoric. Matt has defied his own Republican leaders to vote against tax increases the leaders demanded and big spending packages," Erickson explained. "They tried to defeat him several times and his voters had his back. I’m supporting Matt because I know there are lots of people who are bold in their rhetoric without a record to measure it against.  Matt has the record to prove he is not just a conservative, but is willing to stand up to Republican leaders when they decide to violate their conservative promises."

Erickson believes that Gurtler's Georgia legislative voting history establishes him as a solid candidate.

"Matt was often the lone vote against spending money. He is being attacked for his votes right now because he just simply refused to vote for feel good measures that accomplished nothing other than putting Georgia in debt," Erickson said. "He was often referred to as 'Dr.No,' an homage to the late Sen. Tom Coburn, for his willingness to vote 'no' when no one else would."

Gurtler gets the edge over Clyde, according to Erickson, because of his ability to not be bullied in the often rough-and-tumble world of politics.

"Andrew Clyde is a fine guy and has some great gun stores, but Matt has a record of defying his own side, standing up to his own side, and refusing to compromise his principles in the legislature when bullied," Erickson said. "I know Matt will go to Washington and stand up for what’s right even when it is not popular."

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