The Peach State GOP appears to be making changes with two recent moves in Georgia involving the Secretary of State’s Office. While one is essentially a notional move and the other a voluntary departure, these developments bolster the sentiment of Republicans in the controversial 2020 swing state.
Resolution to Ban Raffensperger From Running as a Republican
Earlier in June, the Georgia GOP passed a resolution that would disallow the current Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger from running for elected office as a Republican. According to reporting from WABE, one of the reasons cited is that Raffensperger “does not have the faith and confidence of the Georgia Republican Party.”
According to Carter Mitchell, a convention delegate from Bibb County, “This is over issues with the…Dominion voting machines, his role as the Secretary of State of Georgia,” calling it “a very, relatively popular…resolution.”
However, the resolution is likely ineffective, as the recently reelected party chair Josh McKoon said, “I don’t really see a way for the Georgia Republican Party to decline someone the opportunity to qualify.” Essentially, Raffensperger can still show up even if a majority doesn’t want him there.
WABE reported:
Speaking after the convention ended on Saturday, newly reelected party chair Josh McKoon said that while the resolution represents the sense of the convention delegates, the party must follow the law.
“And the law of the state of Georgia is pretty clear, with regards to qualifying. So if someone submits the appropriate paperwork, including the loyalty oath, unless there is a case to be made that the loyalty oath would involve false swearing, I don’t really see a way for the Georgia Republican Party to decline someone the opportunity to qualify,” McKoon said.
Raffensperger has not yet announced any future plans to run for public office.
Chief Operating Officer for SOS Gabriel Sterling Departs for Private Practice
Today it was reported that Gabriel Sterling will be leaving the Secretary of State’s office where he served for six years as the Chief Operating Officer. Notably, he vacated that role temporarily to work the 2020 Presidential Election as a contractor rather than as a public official.
Sterling left the position in order to start a business, Sterling Innovative Solutions.
WRDW reported:
Gabe Sterling, who famously warned President Donald Trump in 2020 to tone down his stolen election rhetoric, has left his position as chief operating officer of the Georgia Secretary of State’s office.
According to Sterling’s LinkedIn page, he has started a business called Sterling Innovative Solutions.
Sterling, a Republican, has served as COO for more than six years.
Both Sterling and his boss, current Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, gained national attention in the chaotic aftermath of Georgia’s 2020 presidential election.
…
Sterling’s departure comes as Georgia’s wide-open gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial elections loom in 2026, with Raffensperger rumored to be considering a bid for higher office.
Raffensperger has also been mentioned as a possible GOP Senate challenger to Democratic incumbent U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, who is up for reelection next year.
GABE STERLING—-the guy Counting the Votes in Georgia, is a NEVER TRUMPER. And the MEDIA NEVER Tell you. pic.twitter.com/XQhxy8owld
— Greg Kelly (@gregkellyusa) December 8, 2020
MAJOR WIN FOR GA and ELECTIONS!!!
Gabe Sterling has resigned from the GA SOS!!!— Holly Kesler (@hmkesler) August 21, 2025
Gabe Sterling departs Georgia Secretary of State’s Office for private practice
— Jennifer Asper (@j3669) August 22, 2025
The Gateway Pundit reported in 2023 on emails that revealed Sterling was tasked by Secretary Raffensperger to help Coffee County acquire a new scanner after issues with its machines Presidential Primary in 2020.
Coffee County would become a focal point of criticism following the 2020 Election and investigations into discrepancies with their scanners’ functionality during tabulation.
You can read that four-part series here (links provided for parts 1-3 in the article).
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