“I commend Governor’s Perdue’s use of OCGA Section 45-15-19 to appoint the Special Investigator. Having full legal authority to investigate is key to resolving this terrible situation. The integrity of the testing process is essential for our children and their future careers, Olens said.

“The students, teachers and administrators deserve a full investigation, with no tolerance for cheating. Our children need to know our leaders will not accept this kind of behavior.”

My opponent graciously conceded to me last night and has promised to support me in November.

As we now look toward the General Election in November, we must put aside our partisan politics and begin to talk about the real issues at hand for our state.

There are clear and definitive differences in what I will do as Attorney General and what will happen if we let this important office remain in the hands of the Democratic party.

As Attorney General, I will:
Lead the suit against the federal government over Obamacare to keep this large unfunded mandate from being another tax burden on Georgia citizens.

Vigorously enforce laws against illegal immigration and defend an Arizona style law when one is passed in the legislature.

Defend our party’s redistricting.

Protect our 2nd Amendment rights.

Hold our elected officials to a higher standard and strengthen ethics laws. It is past time for a new era in state government.

Again, without you, I would not be the Republican nominee for Attorney General.

I will continue to travel this state and work as hard as possible every day to take the Georgia Attorney General’s office back this November.

http://romenews-tribune.com/view/full_story/9070921/article-Smith-falls-to-Olens-in-Attorney-General-runoff?instance=home_news_lead_story

http://www2.wrbl.com/news/2010/aug/10/sam-olens-wins-attorney-general-republican-nominat-ar-692175/

http://blogs.ajc.com/georgia_elections_news/2010/08/10/olens-looks-to-win-gop-attorney-general-runoff/?cxntfid=blogs_georgia_elections_news

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/breaking/olens-wins-gop-nod-for-ag-seat-100402304.html

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2010/aug/10/ga-voters-pick-nominees-key-statewide-posts/?breakingnews

http://www.times-herald.com/Local/Votes-close-in-Coweta–statewide-1247557

http://news.bostonherald.com/news/national/south/view/20100810
georgia_voters_pick_nominees_for_key_statewide_posts/srvc=home&position=recent

http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/government/elections/georgia-elections/2010-08-11/olens-sinkfield-win-runoffs-statewide-posts

http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/2010/08/10/1225178/olens-wins-gop-nod-for-ag-seat.html

http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/2010/08/10/1224263/ga-voters-pick-nominees-for-key.html

http://savannahnow.com/news/2010-08-11/no-decision-yet

http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/081110/new_693302259.shtml

http://blogs.onlineathens.com/node/2158

http://www.macon.com/2010/08/10/1224935/olens-wins-gop-nod-for-ag-seat.html

http://www.northfulton.com/Articles-c-2010-08-10-183914.114126-sub_Deal_maintains_narrow_lead_over_Handel.html

http://www.albanyherald.com/home/headlines/100408569.html

http://www.mdjonline.com/view/full_story/9071386/article-Hail-to-Republican-nominee?

Please join us tonight for our Victory Party, 7 p.m., at Paper Mill Grill Restaurant, the Upstairs Club Room, 305 Village Parkway, Marietta, GA 30067 (at the corner of Paper Mill and Johnson Ferry Roads behind the Starbucks).

Thank you Georgia voters!

Two Republicans will meet in Tuesday’s runoff election for their party’s bid for the job. Former Cobb Commission Chairman Sam Olens will face former state Sen. Preston Smith of Rome for the right to face Democrat Ken Hodges of Dougherty County in the fall.

Olens garnered 214,000 votes, or 39.7 percent, in the July 20 primary. Smith got 166,000 votes, or 30.8 percent, while a third candidate, Max Wood of Macon, got 29.5 percent and was eliminated.

Olens got a big boost on primary day from his home voters here in Cobb with 42,500 votes, which is no surprise, since Cobb folks are the ones who know him best. Olens had proven himself as arguably the most able and most accomplished commission chairman in the county’s history, and had done so without a hint of scandal - and for that matter, thanks to his collegial leadership style, hardly any controversy.

That can’t be said about his runoff opponent, though. Smith’s name has been much in the news during the past week in connection with revelations about his series of extramarital affairs and in reported connection with having missed several crucial votes on the last night of the recent legislative session after he was ordered off the Senate floor because his drunken behavior with a pair of legislative interns was too much of a distraction.

Smith on his campaign website prominently boasts of his membership in the West Rome Baptist Church. But tellingly, he was passed over by the Georgia Christian Coalition, which this week gave its campaign endorsement to Olens, a long-standing member of Congregation Etz Chaim in east Cobb.

Yet Olens’ accomplishments are more than reason enough to vote for him, regardless of his opponent’s alleged peccadilloes. He has a doctor of law degree from Emory University and 27 years experience in private practice. He has proven himself a strong supporter of the Georgia Open Records and Open Meetings Acts. He has been a firm advocate for the controversial 287(g) program in use at the Cobb jail and a few others around the state, which authorizes checks on immigration status for those arrested and taken to jail on other charges. He doesn’t think illegal aliens should be admitted to Georgia’s public colleges and universities, regardless of what the Board of Regents thinks. And his proactive leadership at the helm of Cobb County during the worst drought of modern times would serve him well when it comes to fighting - and hopefully settling - the ongoing “water wars” with Alabama and Florida.

Olens would be an activist attorney general, using that office as vigorously as possible on behalf of the people of Georgia. Too often, Georgia’s AGs have taken a “sit back and wait” approach to tackling problems. That’s definitely not Olens’ style.

Sam Olens deserves the chance to put that style and his skills to work on behalf of Georgians, and that’s why he deserves your vote on Tuesday for state Attorney General.

Olens faces Preston Smith of Rome in the Republican runoff for attorney general.

A well-known political consultant told the Journal that the Christian Coalition endorsed Olens because of recent headlines revealing Smith’s extramarital affair, although GCC president Jerry Luquire said his group’s selection of Olens is not an opinion of his opponent.

“Mr. Olens earned the highest rating by his conservative, pro-family work in his elective career. This includes his support of public prayer against the (American Civil Liberties Union),” Luquire said.

Luquire said his group believes Olens’ position on the water distribution issues in Georgia will allow the Peach State to become more competitive in keeping and bringing industry here.

Olens will also provide a seamless transition from Frank Jones, who is now handling legal arguments for Georgia against the federal health care plan, Luquire said.

There is also the matter of illegal immigration.

“Cobb County under his leadership was the first in Georgia to require that those arrested show legal status or be turned over to ICE. He could also support the Arizona law,” Luquire said.

Smith is a member of West Rome Baptist Church, while Olens attends Congregation Etz Chaim in east Cobb.

Olens said conservatives appreciate his devotion to his faith.

“It’s been my experience that social conservatives are far less interested in my Judaism and far more interested that I’m active in my faith, in my synagogue, that I have actively participated for years and years in my synagogue, and what is most important to people of faith is that folks are actively engaged in their faith, that they attend services in their church,” Olens said.

Added Luquire: “He is a man of faith and is a strong family man who represents our core values. … Sam has demonstrated his integrity as a person and his abilities as a public servant. We are pleased to affirm his A+ rating, which is the highest rating we grant.”

Read more: The Marietta Daily Journal - Christian coalition endorses A Olens

With a large percentage of voters still undecided, we need everyone to get to the polls this week and vote early! Even if you missed voting in the Republican primary, you are still able to vote in the Run-off Election. Spread the word to vote through Friday and let’s keep the momentum rolling toward a Tuesday victory!

For Immediate Release: Cobb County/August 3, 2010 - The Georgia Christian Coalition is pleased to announce that Sam Olens, Republican candidate for Attorney General has received its highest A+ rating.

“Sam has earned this rating as a result of his strong conservative record as Chairman of the Cobb County Commission and we have little doubt that his experiences in leading Cobb County will help make him an excellentAttorney General.  

He is a man of faith and is a strong family man who represents our core values,” said Jerry Luquire, President, Georgia Christian Coalition.

Luquire added, “Sam has demonstrated his integrity as a person and his abilities as a public servant. We are pleased to affirm his A+ rating, which is the highest rating we grant.”

In addition, Sam Olens has received the endorsement of a former president.
Former President and State Senator Jerry Keen has also endorsed saying, “Sam
Olens is a conservative, courageous leader whose experience will serve
Georgians well as our next Attorney General.”

“I am honored to have received the highest rating of this fine organization that is incredibly respected statewide,” said Olens.

Sam Olens has been endorsed by 175 statewide elected officials. To see a full list, visit www.olensforag.com.

Marietta/August 2, 2010 – Sam Olens issues congratulations to Virginia Attorney Gen. Ken Cuccinelli II in winning the first courtroom battle in his lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Obama Care.

U.S. District Court Judge Henry E. Hudson rejected the arguments from Obama administration lawyers that Virginia has no standing to sue over the law and no chance of ultimately prevailing in its constitutional claim.

In his opinion, Judge Hudson said, “While this case raises a host of complex constitutional issues, all seem to distill to the single question of whether or not Congress has the power to regulate — and tax — a citizen’s decision not to participate in interstate commerce. Neither the U.S. Supreme Court nor any circuit court of appeals has squarely addressed this issue.”

Virginia’s suit argues that Congress overstepped its constitutional authority when it included a provision in the law mandating that citizens purchase health insurance by 2014 or pay a fine.

“The federal judge absolutely got this right and I will follow suit as Georgia’s next Attorney General,” said Olens.

###

“If elected Attorney General, I will work with the legislature to approve a strong illegal immigration bill that will strengthen our rights to enforce federal laws within our state. Arizona has taken a leadership role for the rest of the states. I will join their battle, and those of the other 17 states who have introduced similar bills.”

Sam Olens was the first County Chairman in Georgia to work with his Sheriff to implement 287(g), a federal program whereby illegal aliens are held until they can be transferred into federal custody.

Since, the program has become a model statewide and has been adopted by five other local governments.

“It is outrageous that our federal government is not enforcing our nation’s laws regarding our estimated 12 million illegal immigrants and securing the border. The battle will rest in the hands of our state’s governors and attorneys generals. I vow to represent Georgians and enforce the rule of law.” said Olens.