It turned out to be an interesting election to fill the vacant seat of District 19 in Paulding County, as Daniel Stout, the 29 year-old commercial banker surprised everyone and won over many voters by winning 59.5% of the total votes cast. Ronny Sibley came in second with 35.6% and Jody Cash finished with 4.9% votes.
As has happen in many past Paulding County local or special elections, voter turnout was dismal in District 19 with 1572 voters, out of 48000 eligible voters showing up to cast their votes and that included absentee ballots. District 19 settles along the eastern part of Paulding County and does not include the city of Dallas westward.
On February 14, an anonymous tip came across of an alleged affair that forced Daniel to confront a past that he would rather forget. At age 19, Daniel had an affair with his former wife’s mother which led to a divorce from his former wife. What began as an allegation apparently was revealed to be true by Daniel and his present wife, Kelly.
“Ten years ago I committed adultery that led to a divorce from my first wife. I have asked for and received forgiveness from my first wife, my daughter, my family, my friends, my church, my community and, most importantly, God. Of course, we knew when I announced for the House seat that belongs to the people of Paulding County that this and all matters of our lives would be open to the public. We will always be open with our lives. We believe in total transparency, even in matters of past sins anyone would rather forget,” Daniel stated.
His present wife, Kelly responded by saying, “Daniel publically confessed this sin with deepest repentance to his first wife, his family and in front of the church he was a member of at the time. Daniel’s first wife forgave him. Daniel’s family forgave him. In addition, his church forgave him. Daniel was completely up front with me about this event as soon as we began dating.”
Curiously enough, the mainstream media in Atlanta never picked up on this allegation until the day before voters went to the polls. However, as District 19 Paulding County residents went to the polls, hearing of the incident didn’t seem to sway many to not vote for him although there were a few who voted early were not pleased to hear about this incident after they had voted in the early voting period last week and stated that if they had know, he would not have gotten their vote.
Daniel must now defend the seat in the primary election on July 20 and if he survives, the general election on November 2, 2010.
Whether or not redemption and forgiveness in the eyes of political world will prevail will be known when Paulding County residents go back to the polls in July.
His redemption and reelection will then rest in their hands.
Disclaimer: The views, comments, commentary, and stories are not the opinions or expressed consent agreement of any member of the Paulding County GOP or its officers unless otherwise noted.
Comments
From what I can tell, most folks didn't know about the news when they went to the polls - and many still don't. Paulding County is a "media poor" county due to its proximity to Atlanta and reliance on that city's conventional media sources.
By July it may be old news. Perhaps voters really don't care about it. Or the voters may reject a candidate who should have never been sent to the capitol in the first place. But the reality is that most voters didn't even know about the issue when they went to the polls on Tuesday.
Most of the comments I read (and there were a lot) stated this would not sway their votes and Daniel is more than qualified to be sent to he capitol to represent us, I, for one, am very pleased and excited with his win. However, had he lost, I would have gladly supported the winner and not slander anyone like I have seen here
Most of the comments I read (and there were a lot) stated this would not sway their votes and Daniel is more than qualified to be sent to he capitol to represent us, I, for one, am very pleased and excited with his win. However, had he lost, I would have gladly supported the winner and not slander anyone like I have seen here
I am thrilled with Daniel Stout's win and wish him nothing but the best. I believe he will represent Paulding County well.
Go Daniel!
I am disgusted by this win.
I agree, Concerned Voter. I am very happy that Daniel won, but if he had lost, I would have put my support behind the winner, be it Mr. Sibley or Mr. Cash. I understand the need to vent frustrations (Lord knows I had plenty of venting to do after Obama was elected), but at the same time, I don't want to see the party suffer as a result of this highly divisive election.
Chris, you've done a fantastic job reporting on this election in a straightforward and unbiased manner. Kudos!
Finding out that this was a single incident that stopped short of 'sex' when he was 19,ten years ago,and that this caused great shame that compelled him to confess and commit to a truly Christlike life,has less effect on me than hearing that he 'had an affair'.REALLY???????????One event is not an affair folks.From a Christian point of view,any lustful thought or touch toward someone other than your spouse can be construed as adultry. I have asked many people and they are not sorry they voted for him and what happened 10 yrs ago doesn't phase them. That being said, it is unfortunate to have the negative publicity. Should we really go up to everyone and say: My name is ______, I did something wrong for 5 minutes 10 yrs ago when I was a teenager. I learned my lesson, was pure on the night I married again.I have a lot of good ideas politically,will you give me a chance?(Or: I'm a hard worker, I'll do a good job if you'll hire me. You won't be sorry).He wasn't hiding,he just wanted to serve
The anonymous blog comment about Representative Elect Stout's mistake from when he was a teenager was confirmed by himself to the press one week prior to the election. The voters could see in broad daylight that he tells the truth, even when it hurts himself the most.
Folks have lost the ability to trust most politicians, and showed that they would rather honesty from a Christian, Conservative, Republican who made a bad decision when he was a teenager, ten years ago.
I take my voting seriously. I evaluated by listening to Ronnie and Daniel on 2 separate nights when they were asked similar questions. I chose Daniel both nights. Yet, I have nothing against Ronnie. I spoke with Daniel personally after finding out his situation. I struggled and finally prayed and was at peace. I voted for Daniel in spite of what he did. It wasn't simply, 'oh, it's the Christian thing to do to forgive the past'. It felt like he was being called by God to accomplish something. I personally feel the way that 'James' and 'Honesty' do. In fact, after reading James' comment, I was sharing his views with others and had to come back to this sight to find where I had seen the blog. God bless Daniel. Jesus went to dinner in the home of those that the community felt were not worthy. I'm thinking he would go to dinner at the Stout's home. It was the self-righteous that he didn't bother with. I don't enjoy their company either.
1. If Mr. Stout didn't think this issue would be revealed then he is extremely dumb.
2. If Mr. Stout thought there was a good possibility it be revealed but didn't think it would blow up, then he is extremely naive.
3. If Mr. Stout thought there was a good chance it would be revealed and that it would blow up, then he is extremely selfish.
Mr. Stout, please resign and stop torturing the county. The folks under the gold dome are going to eat your lunch.
I agree with the points that "To Much Drama" Made. I am embarrassed for everyone in Paulding County. We are a joke all over the US. Please step aside Mr. Stout for the sake of all concerned.
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