Ashley Bell: Momentum Building in Forsyth County

County Leaders Line Up Behind Bell in Race for State School Superintendent

Forsyth County is fast becoming Ashley Bell country.

"The more people get to know him the better they're going to like him," said one former Forsyth County Commissioner.

Forsyth County got to see a lot of the former vice chairman of the Hall County Board of Commissioners last week. Bell left his Gainesville home and crossed Lake Lanier three times in three days to seek support in his campaign for State School Superintendent.

Wednesday he was a featured speaker at the Forsyth County Tea Party meeting. Thursday he turned in an impressive performance at the Forsyth County Republican Party debate. Twelve hours later, he was back in Cumming for a power breakfast with a dozen or more of the county's most influential citizens and he is scheduled for a return trip Friday for a massive luncheon in his honor.

Sheri Gilligan, who has temporarily given up her seat as Chairwoman of the Forsyth County Tea Party to run for State Representative in District 24, said, "He's got my support, I liked him the first time I met him. He is so impressive. He's genuine. How refreshing is that in politics?"

Trilby Leech, Chairwoman of the Forsyth County Tea Party Patriots Alliance, is also an unabashed Bell supporter.

"As chairwoman, I can't endorse anybody, but as an individual, I can and do fully support Ashley Bell and I'm going to vote for him. I've had 18 to 20 people ask me who they should vote for and my answer is always Ashley Bell."

Bob Rorke, another Bell supporter said, "When I think of Ashley, I think of passion, know-how and very qualified for what Georgia needs going forward."

Not surprisingly, Bell has enjoyed his trips to Forsyth County.

"This campaign has been a great opportunity to call on longtime friends from across the lake in Forsyth County to help us take our message of common sense over common core to the voters," Bell said.

"No one has visited Forsyth County more during this election and no one will after I'm elected. I look forward to doing all I can to empower local control to create innovative solutions that place Forsyth students first."

In Forsyth and elsewhere across the state, support for Bell is growing.

He led fundraising during the last quarter. "We’ve been receiving a lot of support financially and even in the polls from across the state. We think we’re in a great position to make the runoff,” he said.

If Forsyth Countians have their way, Bell will not only make the runoff, he will become Georgia's next School Superintendent.