Kristopher Moutray has dabbled in Effingham County Republican politics and been active in civic groups.
But the catalyst for the Rincon resident’s first try for elected office was a meeting he attended a few months back.
As Moutray views it, several elected officials turned their backs on requests backed by most people at the meeting.
“When a large group asks their representatives to do something and they’re totally ignored,” he said, “I believe they’re saying they don’t represent you.”
Miffed that some officials think they’re “immune from voter backlash,” he said he decided to “put my life on hold” and “give voters a choice.”
Moutray says he’s not discouraged by the fact that his opponent, Bill Hitchens, is backed by much of the GOP establishment.
“It’s a good thing,” he said. “I’m emboldened by it. Some of these people have been up there too long.”
He’s criticized a House GOP “old boy network” that he says spends too much time on issues such as abortion, drug tests for welfare recipients and immigration.
They’re important, he said, but less important than tax reform and other matters vital to Georgia’s “future economy, jobs and freedom.”
Moutray said he doesn’t consider current legislative leaders bad people.
“I just think they’re behind the curve,” he said. “They’re antiquated in their thinking and need to make way for fresh ideas. It’s time for a new chapter.”
Moutray said he wants stronger tax reform measures and to shift much of state government’s authority to local agencies. A tax law passed this year is a good start but doesn’t go far enough, he said.
Bobby Felix has lived near Moutray for about six years.
Moutray made a platform for Felix’s lawnmower and has volunteered to cut grass at the subdivision entrance, Felix said.
“He’s a good guy and a good neighbor,” he said.
Felix said he likes Moutray’s ideas and thinks he’d be a good legislator.
“I especially like what he has to say about reducing the size of government,” he said.
Moutray also gets high marks from Ken Thompson, who used to be Moutray’s team leader at Gulfstream.
“He’s a good technician and a good team player,” Thomson said.
“You’d ask him to work through lunch and he always did. He’s got good ideas and he’s just an all-around good guy.”