Although it is still quite early in the primary season, the race to become the next governor of Georgia continues to take shape as the candidates travel across the state to spread their messages, even to the far south region to our beloved Thomasville.

As the race develops, I am further compelled to share my thoughts and experiences with the place I am so fortunate to call home.

Earlier this year, on the advice of a good friend, I had the opportunity to volunteer for the Karen Handel for Governor Campaign at Georgia’s GOP Convention. Being a Political Science major at the University of Georgia, the chance to participate in such an event drew me in immediately.

I went into the convention having no previous affiliation with the Handel campaign. Coming out of the convention, I cannot imagine being a bigger supporter of Secretary Handel (aside from her husband, Steve, who wears a name tag that actually reads “Karen’s Biggest Fan”).

The weekend allowed me to better know Karen Handel’s accomplishments, life story and even Karen herself. Now may be a good time to note that when addressed as Secretary Handel, she’ll tell you to just call her Karen.

In short, I was blown away by Karen. Her biography is nothing short of remarkable, from having to move out of her family’s home and finish high school on her own to consistently overcoming challenges in her current position as Georgia’s first Republican Secretary of State as well as her previous roles as President and CEO of the Greater Fulton County Chamber of Commerce and as the Chairman of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners.

It is only appropriate that she launched her campaign’s “Bring it On” slogan at the convention (see the video that started it all at KarenHandel.com). Karen Handel is battle tested and ready to lead the state of Georgia. She has already taken on the ACLU and Roy Barnes and is now challenging the Obama Justice Department to ensure that only legal U.S. citizens are allowed to vote in our elections.

Above all, I was most impressed with Karen Handel the woman. She is not like the typical, stuffy career politicians with an arrogant aura about them. She is a genuine, down to earth reformer that is one of the friendliest and most compassionate public figures I have ever met. Since the convention, my respect and admiration for her has only grown.

While I don’t expect anyone to take my word for it, I do encourage everyone to research all of the candidates in the race. If you do, I’m confident you and I will be supporting the same candidate in this important race for governor.

William Inman

University of Georgia student