Zereini Says She's Pleased the Forsyth GOP Will Discuss Solicitor-General's Ties to Democrats

Editor's Note: The following is a press release issued by the Susan Zereini for Solicitor-General campaign.

Susan Zereini, the Republican candidate for Forsyth County Solicitor-General, said Thursday she was pleased to learn local Republican Party leaders are taking her complaint about incumbent Solicitor Donna Gopaul's ties to radical, left-wing Congressowoman Cynthia McKinney and the Democratic Party seriously.

The Forsyth County Republican Party (FCRP) issued a press release Wednesday stating that "Chairman Brad Wilkins, will submit the complaint to the FCRP County Committee and the issue will be discussed at the next called meeting."

Zereini said, "I'm very happy to see that someone will finally vet the incumbent. But, as a lifelong Republican, I have to ask why wasn't this done five months ago when she joined the party? Ms. Gopaul seems to have made a very inexpensive transition from Cynthia McKinney Democrat to Ronald Reagan Republican and all it cost was a $25 membership fee."

Gopaul worked as legislative aide to McKinney, the most radical, left-wing Congresswomen in U.S. History and was registered to vote in the 2008 and 2012 Democratic presidential primaries. She was appointed Solicitor by Gov. Nathan Deal in March and didn't join the Republican Party until July 2013.

There is some question about whether the governor knew of Gopaul's ties to McKinney and the Democratic Party when she was appointed. Members of the Forsyth County state delegation said they did not know. Sen. Jack Murphy and Reps. Mike Dudgeon and Geoff Duncan initially said they supported her, but have since ordered Gopaul to remove their names from her website and not use them in any campaign literature. They now say they will remain neutral in the race.

"I applaud them and especially for ordering Gopaul to scrub their names but I question their decision to remain neutral. They are Republican and they owe it to their constituents to hold true to their values and support Republican candidates." Zereini said.

"I especially want to thank Rep. Geoff Duncan for meeting with me today (Thursday) to listen to my views about why I am the best person for the job of solicitor. I would like  invite Senators Murphy and Steve Gooch and Reps. Dudgeon and Hamilton to meet with me as they did with the incumbent and give me an opportunity to convince them also."

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You also should read:

• Forsyth Republican Party Responses to Zereini Campaign Complaint About Solicitor-General
• Zereini Campaign Calls on Forsyth County GOP To Examine Solicitor's Ties To Cynthia McKinney
• Veteran Prosecutor Seeks Office Forsyth Solicitor General Post