Clay Tippins

Clay Tippins was a 2018 Republican candidate for Governor of Georgia.

Biography

Tippins' four years in the Navy included time spent as a member of SEAL Team One. After his honorable discharge from the Navy in 2000, Tippins briefly worked as a program manager at WebVan before joining Manugistics as a director. In 2002, Tippins left Manugistics to found Roi Group, working there as a managing partner for three years before joining Adjoined Consulting as its vice president in 2005. The next year, Tippins left Adjoined Consulting for Capgemini, serving as that firm's vice president. In 2009, Tippins moved on to Brightstar Corporation, where he was a managing director. Two years later, he rejoined Capgemini as an executive vice president.^[1] In 2015, Tippins deployed to Afghanistan as a lieutenant commander in Seal Team 14, where he conducted counterterrorism operations targeting ISIS cells.^[2]

Education

Bachelor's in political science - Stanford University (1995)

Elections

2018

See also: Georgia gubernatorial election, 2018

General election

General election for Governor of Georgia

Brian Kemp defeated Stacey Abrams and Ted Metz in the general election for Governor of Georgia on November 6, 2018.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Brian Kemp (R)	50.2	1,978,408
	Stacey Abrams (D)	48.8	1,923,685
	Ted Metz (L)	0.9	37,235

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 3,939,328 (100.00% precincts reporting)
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Larry Odom (Independent)

Republican primary runoff election

Republican primary runoff for Governor of Georgia

Brian Kemp defeated Casey Cagle in the Republican primary runoff for Governor of Georgia on July 24, 2018.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Brian Kemp	69.5	406,703
	Casey Cagle	30.5	178,893

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 585,596
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Governor of Georgia

Stacey Abrams defeated Stacey Evans in the Democratic primary for Governor of Georgia on May 22, 2018.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Stacey Abrams	76.4	424,305
	Stacey Evans	23.6	130,784

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 555,089
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Governor of Georgia

Casey Cagle and Brian Kemp advanced to a runoff. They defeated Hunter Hill, Clay Tippins, and Michael Williams in the Republican primary for Governor of Georgia on May 22, 2018.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Casey Cagle	39.0	236,987
✔	Brian Kemp	25.5	155,189
	Hunter Hill	18.3	111,464
	Clay Tippins	12.2	74,182
	Michael Williams	4.9	29,619

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 607,441
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Eddie Hayes (R)
Marc Alan Urbach (R)

Campaign advertisements

Tippins released "Air" on May 1.

"Air," released May 1, 2018

Tippins began running "Bang" in April 2018 as part of a $500,000 buy.^[3]

"Bang," released April 19, 2018

Tippins first aired "Georgia Clay" during the 2018 Super Bowl.^[4]

"Georgia Clay," released February 3, 2018

Endorsements

Click here to see a list of endorsements in the Republican primary

Republican candidate endorsements
Endorsement	Date	Cagle	Hill	Kemp	Tippins	Williams
National figures
Former U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.)^[5]	May 18, 2018	✔
Former U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Ga.)^[6]	May 18, 2018	✔
Former U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-Ga.)^[7]	May 17, 2018	✔
Former U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (R-Ga.)^[8]	May 16, 2018	✔
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas)^[9]	May 7, 2018		✔
Haley Barbour, former Mississippi governor and former RNC chairman^[10]	March 8, 2018				✔
Bob Barr, former U.S. representative from GA-07 and 2008 Libertarian presidential candidate^[11]	August 25, 2017			✔
State and local figures
Former candidate Marc Alan Urbach^[12]	May 2, 2018					✔
Cobby County District Attorney Vic Reynolds^[13]	April 13, 2018			✔
State Rep. Allen Peake (R)^[14]	March 8, 2018				✔
State Rep. Susan Holmes (R)^[15]	September 27, 2017			✔
Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens (R)^[11]	August 25, 2017			✔
State Rep. Ron Stephens (R)^[16]	August 1, 2017	✔
State Sen. Jesse Stone (R)^[16]	August 1, 2017	✔
State Sen. Ellis Black (R)^[16]	August 1, 2017	✔
State Sen. Jack Hill (R)^[16]	August 1, 2017	✔
State Sen. Ben Watson (R)^[16]	August 1, 2017	✔
State Rep. Dewayne Hill (R)^[17]	June 21, 2017	✔
State Rep. John Deffenbaugh (R)^[17]	June 21, 2017	✔
State Sen. Chuck Hufstetler (R)^[17]	June 21, 2017	✔
State Sen. Jeff Mullis (R)^[17]	June 21, 2017	✔
State Rep. Sam Teasley^[9]	Unknown		✔
State Rep. Michael Caldwell^[9]	Unknown		✔
State Rep. Wes Cantrell^[9]	Unknown		✔
Organizations
Georgia Realtors^[18]	April 11, 2018	✔
National Rifle Association^[19]	April 12, 2018	✔
Educators First^[20]	April 10, 2018	✔
Media figures
Barbara Dooley, Athens media figure^[11]	August 25, 2017			✔
Roger Stone, former advisor to Donald Trump^[21]	August 11, 2017					✔
Duane Chapman AKA Dog the Bounty Hunter^[22]	July 4, 2017					✔
Business figures
Jim Brady, COO of Grant Thorton^[15]	September 28, 2017			✔

Campaign finance reports^[23]
Candidate	Filing deadline	Contributions	Expenditures	Cash on Hand
Casey Cagle
	June 30, 2017	$2,659,061.92	$143,866.36	$2,515,195.56
	January 31, 2018	$4,111,046.90	$893,864.10	$5,732,378.36
	March 31, 2018	$20,206.50	$1,217,073.86	$4,535,511.00
Total	-	$6,790,315.32	$2,254,804.32	$4,535,511.00
Hunter Hill
	June 30, 2017	$1,148,529.59	$220,084.67	$928,444.92
	January 31, 2018	$1,110,632.05	$553,039.87	$1,486,037.10
	March 31, 2018	$442,891.90	$808,064.52	$1,120,864.48
Total	-	$2,702,053.54	$1,581,189.06	$1,120,864.48
Brian Kemp
	June 30, 2017	$1,710,592.00	$186,691.20	$1,523,900.80
	January 31, 2018	$1,174,546.48	$574,857.74	$2,123,589.54
	March 31, 2018	$34,970.26	$527,038.52	$1,631,521.28
Total	-	$2,920,108.74	$1,288,587.46	$1,631,521.28
Clay Tippins
	January 31, 2018	$2,139,341.28	$413,252.35	$1,726,088.93
	March 31, 2018	$405,177.00	$539,747.10	$1,591,518.83
Total	-	$2,544,518.28	$952,999.45	$1,591,518.83
Michael Williams
	June 30, 2017	$1,051,831.12	$107,806.65	$944,024.47
	January 31, 2018	$729,671.29	$330,948.55	$1,342,747.21
	March 31, 2018	$4,501.45	$78,430.43	$1,268,818.23
Total	-	$1,786,003.86	$517,185.63	$1,268,818.23

Polls

Georgia Governor, Republican Primary 2018
Poll	Casey Cagle	Brian Kemp	Hunter Hill	Michael Williams	Clay Tippins	Undecided	Margin of error	Sample size

Fox 5 Atlanta/Opinion Savvy (May 15-16)	31%	20%	14%	5%	12%	15%	+/-4.3	515
11Alive/SurveyUSA (May 10-15)	35%	17%	10%	3%	8%	27%	+/-5.1	558
University of Georgia (April 19-26)	41%	10%	9%	3%	4%	33%	+/-4.4	507
Clarion Research (paid for by Hill campaign) (March 2-3)	33%	9%	17%	3%	3%	36%	+/-4.5	547
Meeting Street Research on behalf of the pro-Cagle Citizens for Georgia’s Future (March 1-4)	38%	10%	10%	2%	3%	35%	+/-4.38	500
Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy (February 2018)	27%	13%	11%	5%	12%	31%	+/-4.5	500
The Wickers Group (Ocotber 21-24, 2017)	34%	13%	1%	1%	0%	48%	+/-4.5	400
Landmark Communications/RosettaStone (October 16-17, 2017)	35%	7%	9%	4%	1%	44%	+/-3.5	800
McLaughlin & Associates (September 28 - October 1, 2017)	41%	12%	4%	3%	2%	39%	+/-4.0	600
AVERAGES	35%	12.33%	9.44%	3.22%	5%	34.22%	+/-4.35	547.44
Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org.

Campaign themes

2018

Tippins' campaign website stated the following:

“

SEX TRAFFICKING
It’s a dirty little secret that Atlanta is the No. 1 city in the country for sex trafficking. This is a $300 million business in Atlanta alone. I have helped take down some of the worst networks of people in the world. I will roll up my sleeves, bring the same relentless mission focus, and work directly with law enforcement to hunt down these gangs and sex-trafficking rings and put them out of business for good.

EVERY 3RD GRADER READS
I have a bold vision: Every third grader reads. Third grade reading rates are the number one indicator of a child’s future success and how many folks we’ll have in prison in the future. It’s time we draw a line in the sand and lead.

STATE SPENDING
It’s time we start living within our means. Right now, the state of Georgia looks to be in pretty good shape on paper; but with the federal debt so large it’s like having a $20 bill in your left pocket and a $200 IOU in your right. Every Georgian owes $1 million dollars in government debt* on top of their credit card, car, and house. If we don’t start rethinking how we run our government, we won’t have the money we’ve had in previous years to fight crime, build roads, or educate our children.

2ND AMENDMENT
I am an unabashed supporter of the Second Amendment. It is our constitutional right to keep and bear arms. I will defend that right as Governor.

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
There is no place in Georgia for sanctuary cities and I will prevent them from receiving state funds. Our law enforcement agencies must collaborate with each other – not against each other – to fight illegal immigration. That process begins by stopping the release of illegals from county jails and sharing intelligence like I did to take down ISIS.

CBD
I’m against any step down a slippery slope towards recreational Marijuana but Georgia law already permits the use of cannabidiol (CBD) oil to assist patients who suffer from a variety of illnesses and diseases, including multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s and seizures. Patients should be able to access valid treatments that are already legal for use, especially those that have strong potential to combat the current opioid crisis in Georgia.

RFRA
I strongly support religious freedom, but I won’t take the RFRA pledge. From what I can tell the two aren’t even related. I will continue to fight for our religious liberty with the same fervor with which I defended our country as a Navy SEAL. I’m a Christian, a man of faith, and believe the government should not trample on our beliefs. I will not sign any pledge regarding future undrafted legislation – including the RFRA pledge – but promise to veto any bill that enables lawsuits against people of faith.

PRO-LIFE
I will be an ardent pro-life champion for Georgia. As governor, I will work to protect the lives of unborn children.

OPIOID CRISIS
Our state’s opioid problem must be dealt with immediately. In a state with 10 million people, there were over 541 million opium pills prescribed last year alone. Opioid addiction and the crime that result from it have touched the lives of Gun Rights: Constitutional Carry Ensure this important legislation is signed into law. This will further protect our second amendment rights. too many of us. Enough is enough.

^[24]

”

—Clay Tippins' campaign website (2018)^[25]

External links

Suggest a link

Footnotes

[1] LinkedIn, "Clay Tippins," accessed November 19, 2017

[2] Clay Tippins for Governor, "Home," accessed November 19, 2017

[bang-3] Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "Tippins targets ‘strip club’ Cagle and ‘Benedict’ Hill," April 19, 2018

[4] Atlanta Journal Constitution, "Clay Tippins makes a Super Bowl-sized splash in Georgia gov race," February 3, 2018

[5] Casey Cagle for Governor, "Cagle announces 500 endorsements," May 19, 2018

[6] Casey Cagle for Governor, "Congressman Jack Kingston endorses Cagle for Governor," May 18, 2018

[7] Casey Cagle for Governor, "Congressman Phil Gingrey endorses Cagle for Governor," May 17, 2018

[8] Casey Cagle for Governor, "Congressman Lynn Westmoreland endorses Cagle for Governor," May 16, 2018

[hillendorse-9] 9.0 ^9.1 ^9.2 ^9.3 The Maven, "Ted Cruz Endorses Hunter Hill in Georgia Gubernatorial Primary," May 8, 2018

[10] Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "Georgia 2018: Barbour raises cash for Tippins," March 8, 2018

[augustbk-11] 11.0 ^11.1 ^11.2 Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "Georgia 2018: Hudgens, Dooley and Barr back Kemp in gov race," August 25, 2017

[urbach-12] Red and Black, "Georgia gubernatorial candidate Marc Urbach withdraws from race," May 2, 2018

[13] Marietta Daily Journal, "AROUND TOWN: Cobb DA backs Kemp, Educators First for Cagle," April 13, 2018

[14] Twitter, "Allen Peake on March 8, 2018

[KempYT-15] 15.0 ^15.1 YouTube, "Kemp for Governor," accessed March 9, 2018

[augustcc-16] 16.0 ^16.1 ^16.2 ^16.3 ^16.4 Casey Cagle for Governor, "Cagle announces wave of support in Southeast Georgia," August 1, 2017

[junecc-17] 17.0 ^17.1 ^17.2 ^17.3 Casey Cagle for Governor, "Mountainous group of Northwest Georgia elected officials back Cagle for governor," June 21, 2017

[18] Casey Cagle for Governor, "Georgia Realtors Support Cagle," April 11, 2018

[NRA-19] New York Times, "Georgia Passes Bill That Stings Delta Over N.R.A. Position," March 1, 2018

[educators-20] Casey Cagle for Governor, "Educators First endorses Cagle campaign," April 10, 2018

[21] 11 Alive, "Governor 2018: Williams endorsed by Trump advisor Roger Stone," August 11, 2017

[22] Forsyth News, "Dog the Bounty Hunter endorses Williams for governor bid," July 4, 2017

[23] Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission, "Campaign reports," accessed March 9, 2018

[quotedisclaimer-24] Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

[25] Clay Tippins for Governor, “Issues,” accessed March 14, 2018

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Clay Tippins

Contents

Biography

Education

Elections

2018

General election

General election for Governor of Georgia

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary runoff election

Republican primary runoff for Governor of Georgia

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Governor of Georgia

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Governor of Georgia

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Campaign advertisements

Endorsements

Polls

Campaign themes

2018

See also

External links

Footnotes

Information about voting

2025 Elections

2026 Elections

2024 Election analysis

Trending

Public Policy

Information for candidates

Get Engaged

Services

Additional analysis

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