Catoosa GOP files temporary injunction motion in federal court

RINGGOLD, Ga. (WDEF) – The Catoosa County Republican Party has filed for a temporary injunction in the North Georgia Federal District Court against four candidates in an upcoming primary.

The county’s GOP argues in the complaint that if the court does not block former county Chairman Steven Henry and commissioners Vanita Hullander, Jeff Long, and Larry Block from their ballot, their First Amendment rights will be violated.

They had barred the four candidates from appearing on their ballot due to the party arguing they were not upholding their values.

However, a Catoosa County judge and the county’s Election Board overruled them, forcing the candidates to be placed on the Republican Primary ballot.

The candidates have argued that the primary voters should get to decide who represents the party.

An attorney for the Catoosa GOP, David Oles, alluded to this action being taken last week.

Oles said, “If anyone can walk up and force a party to accept them and walk up to court and get a friendly judge and force them to accept them, then we have no we have no political parties, we have no choice.”

The GOP wants action to be taken before early voting for that primary begins on April 29.

Election Day for that primary is May 21.