Local

Collins to be joined conservative Latino activist at SOTU

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms will be U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson’s plus-one to President Donald Trump’s second State of the Union address. Also accompanying Georgia lawmakers in the House chamber is a conservative Latino activist from Gainesville, an injured Green Beret who rose through the ranks at Hunter Army Airfield and the Dunwoody-based parents of a recent gun violence victim.

Like all members of Congress, each of Georgia’s 16 members of the House and Senate has an extra ticket to give to a guest. And many are using their guests to send political — or purposefully apolitical — messages about their priorities.

U.S. Rep. Drew Ferguson of West Point, a newly minted member of the Republican leadership, is bringing Jeffrey Willis, a LaGrange manufacturer whose automotive parts business has added jobs since the GOP passed its tax overhaul.

Gainesville Republican U.S. Rep. Doug Collins invited Art Gallegos Jr., the co-founder of Latinos Conservative Organization, an outreach organization in Northeast Georgia.

“I’m hoping to hear (Trump’s) stance on the wall and also go a little deeper into how we can unite everyone to try to get something concrete on the immigration issue,” said Gallegos, who added that many people he speaks to in the Latino community are open to overhauling the country’s immigration laws.

Tonight’s State of the Union speech, and Stacey Abrams’ Democratic response, can be heard live on WGAU beginning at 8 o’clock.

Listen

news

amazon alexa

Enable our Skill today to listen live at home on your Alexa Devices!