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Chair elect Christopher Hempfling led our meeting and asked CJ Stewart, who chairs AWER’s speaker selection for February, to lead our program. CJ introduced Mr. Blake Elsberry. Blake is a former Sole Commissioner of Chattooga County and longtime public servant with more than 20 years of leadership in healthcare and local government. Blake is also a current candidate for Georgia State Senate. CJ asked Blake about how he grew up. Blake said he is the oldest of five kids and was raised by a single mother. He said being the oldest required him to step up and take on responsibilities to help his mom. He said he had a good relationship with his stepfather. Blake said he enjoys volunteering in a prison ministry through the Gideons, who he explained are the people who put Bibles in hotel rooms.

CJ asked Blake, what does it mean to be a Republican, and how do you personally distinguish conservative from liberal? Blake said it’s based on policy. Republicans typically value conservative fiscal policies and open markets, though there are factions within each party, and most people probably have one or two policy issues where they align with the other side. As a politician, Blake stressed that rather than wearing a label or being forced to be defined only by a political party, he works hard to discuss policy issues. While running as a Republican, he cares mainly about defining and supporting proposals that help people live better lives. He values good proposals “before party.” He said faith is first for him in his life. He also pointed out that state and local politics can be more volatile than national politics because local decisions have an immediate impact on how people live their lives. Blake Elsberry also discussed his view on building relationships across political divides, emphasizing the importance of looking for commonalities rather than differences.

He maintains that all politicians should not be afraid to talk and listen to all issues people carry and work hard to understand all sides of all issues. Certainly, poverty does not discriminate in rural Georgia; it affects lots of people regardless of race or party affiliation.

CJ also asked Blake about the core values guiding decisions, even when party expectations might push you in another direction. Blake said his faith is key when politics get tough. These situations strengthen his faith rather than weaken it. “I have to lean into faith,” which he learned more about after losing three important male influences in his life within a year.

On rural healthcare in Georgia, and specifically about the expansion of Medicaid, Blake said the Republican party hasn't taken enough leadership in addressing healthcare challenges. He referred to a freestanding ER built in Chattooga County without using county funds or tax incentives as a model that could be replicated in other rural areas. It provides critical services like CT scans for stroke patients without requiring the $120 million investment of a full hospital. Further, his urgent care and emergency health services receive more than fifty walk-ins per day, doubling predictions. In describing his work in rural healthcare, including the rural freestanding emergency room, he emphasized this facility has exceeded patient expectations and is saving lives by providing critical care services in an underserved area.

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AWER Keyway Speaker Reporter: Neil Shorthouse