Tripp Foster secured the Republican spot for the County Commission District 3 race in Tuesday’s runoff election.
Foster took the lead with more than 52 percent of the vote against Ellen Gilmore. He tallied 1,361 votes to Gilmore’s 1,250.
Foster, a former Troup County firefighter who left to pursue the commission seat and owns his own tree service, thanked his supporters Tuesday.
“I am so thankful that the good people of Troup County showed their confidence in what I have preached to them faithfully these last few months about positive change,” Foster said. “The people have spoken through their vote, and I can’t explain right now how excited I am to get an opportunity to represent the Troup County Republican Party in the November sixth election.”
Foster also thanked his family and friends for “their unwavering support, and most of all my wife, Staci, who has supported me all the way to tonight. I could not have done this without her and the support of my wonderful family.”
Gilmore congratulated Foster and said that she was celebrating the end of the event Tuesday with her family and friends, and looking forward to taking a deep breathe and relaxing for a bit. She still plans to be involved in Troup County politics.
Foster said he and Gilmore both believe that there needs to be a change in Troup County, and that people said they want positive change. Foster added he is ready to move ahead, uniting both his and Gilmore’s supporters.
Foster will face Democratic candidate DeeDee Williams in the November general election. The winner will take the spot of current District 3 County Commissioner Ken Smith, who did not run for re-election.
The number of contenders vying for the seat was crowded in the primary election, with five Republican candidates. On the primary ticket along with Foster and Gilmore were Lewis Davis Jr., Ashley McCoy and former County Commission Chairman Tim Duffey.
He also plans on setting up a "blog-type" web page online, so he can be easily accessible to Troup residents, keeping them informed of what he and the Commission are doing. Tripp wants to make sure folks have an easy way to check it out, and get answers to THEIR questions and concerns as well.
Right now, other than what is in the paper, we either have to go to city hall or try to contact them by phone generally, which is not just inconvenient, but isn't a particularly accountable way to get information. Privately, officials can pretty much just tell you whatever they feel will satisfy you at the time.
He also wants to hold regular "town hall" meetings too, giving folks the opportunity to ask him questions, and express concerns face to face, and get to know him.
One thing is for sure, Tripp Foster places a LOT of value on open transparency in our governance, something that is severely lacking at present. "Open and Transparent" is NOT just a political buzzword for Tripp Foster.
Yea, I'm voting for him, I guess that's obvious, and I even volunteered for his campaign.