Congressional candidate Jeremy Hunt and his wife Ky greeted supporters Friday afternoon.

THOMASVILLE — With five other Republicans running for the nomination to go up against longtime U.S.Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-Albany) in the 2nd District, Jeremy Hunt believes he stands out from the crowded field.

Hunt met with supporters Friday afternoon in Thomasville, with the general primary now just 10 days away. Early voting has been ongoing across the district and state. 

“We are the only campaign that can beat Sanford Bishop, once and for all,” Hunt said. “I am the only candidate that has the ability to bring people together and bring in the votes it’s going to take to flip the seat. Our campaign is all about faith, family and community. And we know those pillars are what bring people together. For far too long we have let people who are trying to sow division in our community be the loudest voices. Now, we’re going to be the loudest voices, bringing a message of unity.”

Bishop has won the last five elections in the 2nd District by at least 18 percentage points. But redistricting has put all of Thomas County in his district, and Hunt believes the seat is ripe for a Republican to pick up.

“He has been part and parcel of a losing and very disastrous agenda for our country,” Hunt charged. “Sanford Bishop votes with (Speaker of the House) Nancy Pelosi every single time. Their war on oil and gas has led our fuel prices to skyrocket. Our gas prices are way too high. Farmers are paying four times as much for fertilizer.”

Hunt also said Bishop remained silent as progressives urged to defund police departments.

“He didn’t stand up for law enforcement,” Hunt said, “and that’s why we’ve seen such a spike in crime.”

Hunt also assailed the Biden administration for what is now being seen as a nationwide shortage in baby formula.

“I have a 2-year-old,” he said. “I cannot imagine not being able to find formula. We’re going to see other crises with food shortages because of the breakdown in the supply chain. There is so much they could be doing. They could be unleashing American energy right now. There are so many different things they could be doing right now, and they’re not.

“We’re in this race because we are in a fight for every community,” Hunt added, “places Sanford Bishop hasn’t visited in years.”

Hunt, a West Point graduate who served as an Army intelligence officer, also addressed being called a “carpetbagger” by fellow Republican candidate Wayne Johnson, also a former Army officer. 

“I can’t believe he had the nerve to say that ‘serving in the Army is not a real job,’” Hunt said. “I think it is completely disrespectful to the veterans in our district who have served. It’s the same kind of nasty, politics as usual political games. I’m the only candidate running a positive campaign, focused on the issues.”