Casey Cagle
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Lowell S. "Casey" Cagle (born January 12, 1966 in Gainesville, Georgia) is an American politician, a member of the Republican Party, a conservative, and a former member of the General Assembly in the U.S. state of Georgia. He is best known as the underdog candidate who, on July 18, 2006, defeated conservative political activist Ralph Reed in the 2006 Republican primary for Lieutenant Governor of Georgia.
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[edit] High school and college education
According to his legislative biography, Cagle was raised by a single mother and "attended eight different elementary schools by age six but persevered to graduate from Hall County's public schools." He attended Georgia Southern University and Gainesville College but did not earn a degree at either institution.
[edit] Business career
His legislative biography describes Cagle as a "self-made business leader in the real estate and banking industries." At age 20, Cagle bought his first business, a retail clothing store which he later expanded to multiple locations. He founded Southern Heritage Bank in 1999 and served as its Chairman until 2004 when it merged into Gainesville Bank & Trust (GB&T) in 2004. Cagle joined the Board of Directors of GB&T in 2005. According to filings, his estimated net worth is $3 million.
[edit] Legislative career
In 1994, at age 28, Cagle ran for the Georgia State Senate in a district that included Hall County and parts of Dawson County and Forsyth County. He upset the Democratic incumbent, Jane Hemmer, and became the youngest member of the State Senate. He was re-elected five times. He currently serves as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.
[edit] Campaign for Lieutenant Governor
In early 2005, Cagle declared his candidacy for Lieutenant Governor of Georgia. He was opposed in the Republican primary by nationally known Christian conservative activist Ralph Reed. Initially considered the underdog, Cagle emerged as a serious challenger to Reed. Reed accused Cagle of negative campaigning, blaming Cagle for unfavorable media attention arising from the federal investigation into the Jack Abramoff Indian lobbying scandal. On July 18, 2006, Cagle decisively defeated Reed in the Republican Party. Cagle won 56% of the vote Reed's 44%, according to final results. He then went on to face former state legislator Jim Martin, who he beat comfortably.
