KEY BAPTIST LEADERS ENDORSE GEORGES

Section: Business

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Oct. 4, 2007

KEY BAPTIST LEADERS ENDORSE GEORGES

Two of Louisiana’s top Baptist Convention leaders Thursday endorsed John Georges for Governor, the first of several expected for the independent businessman.

The Rev. Henry Blake, president of the Louisiana State Baptist Convention and treasurer of the National Baptist Convention, and Bishop Larry Brandon announced they chose Georges because of the Jefferson Parish business owner’s ability to run Louisiana like a business.

The endorsement came at a Shreveport luncheon attended by about a dozen ministers at a downtown restaurant on Thursday.

“As I got to know him and his accomplishments of taking failing businesses and people he has employed, I see he has a plan that will help grow our state,” the Rev. Blake said. “I have never voted for an independent, but I think he is the right man at this time. I do think he could run the state like a good business.”

Brandon also cited Georges’ history of creating hundreds of good jobs, with health care and other benefits.

“I am particularly interested in how he can take something that is broken and turn it around,” Bishop Brandon said. “Frankly, the state of Louisiana is broken and I have confidence that he is the governor who can turn it around.”

As an Independent candidate who is not interested in running for higher office, Georges is free to focus on Louisiana’s interests – not political interests.

“He won’t be anyone’s puppet,” Bishop Brandon said. “I feel that he is the best candidate. We have studied him, and we have similar goals.”

Georges thanked the ministers for their endorsements.

“I am proud to have the support of these fine religious leaders,” Georges said. “They know my record as a businessman, and that I will bring sound business principles to government. I have turned around more than 50 companies. I grew my family-owned local grocery wholesale employing 60 to a regional company that employs more than 600. I can do that for Louisiana.

“We have more than 100 years of failed leadership by politicians. I am a businessman, not a politician, and I will bring to state government the same thing I have brought to my own businesses, qualified managers chosen solely on the basis of merit and nothing else,” Georges said.

More endorsements will be forthcoming over the next week.

Contact: John Hill, cell 225 335-9104