Randy Robertson (politician)

Wiley Randall Robertson (born October 6, 1962) is an American politician from Cataula, Georgia. He is a Republican member of the Georgia State Senate representing District 29, elected in 2018. Robertson is a retired law enforcement officer and attended Command College at Columbus State University and the FBI National Academy.

Randy Robertson
Member of the Georgia State Senate for the 29th district
Assumed office
January 14, 2019
Preceded byJoshua McKoon
Personal details
Born
Wiley Randall Robertson

(1962-10-06) October 6, 1962
Hamilton, Georgia
Political partyRepublican
OccupationLaw Enforcement Officer

Robertson was a Law Enforcement Officer in the Muscogee County Sheriff's Office. In 2018, he was elected to the Georgia State Senate. He was reelected in the 2020 general elections.

Early life and education

Robertson was born in Hamilton, Georgia to Bobby Ray and Elizabeth Cobb Robertson. He attended Cataula Elementary School, Harris County Junior High School, and Harris County High School. Robertson has four sisters.

Career

Robertson was a Law Enforcement Officer before entering politics, and after over thirty years in law enforcement retired from the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office in 2015.

In a 2000 internal investigation by the Muscogee County Sheriff's Office, then Lieutenant Robertson was found to have conducted himself in a way that was "unbecoming of an officer" and "immoral." The investigation stemmed from an extramarital affair with his sister in-law that found Robertson engaged in sexual activity. The investigation further found that Robertson was not on duty at the time the activities took place and nothing occurred within a department vehicle. Despite the internal affairs report, Robertson maintains that in his thirty years with the Muscogee County Sheriff's Office he has never been reprimanded as he was cleared of all accusations.[1]

Political career

Robertson was elected to the Georgia State Senate in 2018 after the seat was vacated by Josh McKoon. In 2020, Robertson qualified for re-election and was not challenged in either the Primary or General election.

"Safe Communities Act of 2021"

On February 11, 2021, Robertson introduced Senate Bill 171, the "Safe Communities Act of 2021," which increases penalties for certain offenses committed during an "unlawful assembly."[2] Robertson introduced the legislation in response to the George Floyd protests and the 2021 United States Capitol attack.[3] The original bill failed to receive a committee vote before Georgia's crossover day.[4] On March 18, Robertson reintroduced the legislation through a committee substitute of another bill from the state house.[5][6][7] The American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia said the bill "tramples on and makes a mockery of the First Amendment."[8] Mazey Lynn Causey, a legislative advocate for the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, believes that it would allow immunity for motorists that run over a protester.[9]

Personal life

Robertson is married to Theresa Garcia Robertson; they have four children and four grandchildren. The family goes to and worships with the First Baptist Church in Columbus.

Electoral history
Georgia State Senate 29th District Election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Randy Robertson 44,149 62.99
Democratic Valerie Haskins 25,937 37.01

References
  1. Evans, Daniel (2018-05-18). "Senate candidate Robertson was found in violation of conduct policy during time at sheriff's office". LaGrange Daily News. Retrieved 2021-03-20.
  2. "Georgia General Assembly". www.legis.ga.gov. Retrieved 2021-03-19.
  3. Prabhu, Maya T. "Georgia bill would increase penalties for crimes committed during protests". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved 2021-03-23.
  4. "Legislative Navigator - AJC". legislativenavigator.ajc.com. Retrieved 2021-03-19.
  5. "Georgia General Assembly". www.legis.ga.gov. Retrieved 2021-03-23.
  6. Prabhu, Maya T. "Georgia proposal returns to crack down on crimes committed at protests". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved 2021-03-23.
  7. Williams, Ross (2021-03-22). "Senate revives bill that would make protests that block highways a felony". Georgia Recorder. Retrieved 2021-03-23.
  8. "ACLU of Georgia Opposes Bill that Tramples First Amendment". ACLU of Georgia. 2021-03-01. Retrieved 2021-03-19.
  9. Dunlap, Stanley (2021-03-03). "Senate panel set to vet bill that makes highway-blocking protests a felony". Now Habersham. Retrieved 2021-03-23.
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