In an announcement slamming his hometown as a “sanctuary city” run by “extremist liberals,” state Sen. Bill Cowsert (R-Athens) announced today that he is running for Georgia attorney general.

First elected in 2006, Cowsert is in his ninth term as a state senator for District 46, which currently includes Oconee County and parts of Clarke, Walton, Barrow and Gwinnett counties. The lawyer is vice chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and at one time served as chair of the majority Republican caucus, the chamber’s No. 3 position. 

He also chairs a special committee investigating what Cowsert terms the “politically motivated” prosecution of Donald Trump by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis in a RICO case alleging that the then-former president conspired to steal Georgia’s electoral college votes in 2020, as well as allegations of campaign finance violations by voter registration groups led by Democratic former gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams.

If elected attorney general, Cowsert pledged to prosecute corruption by members of both parties. He also said he would crack down on illegal immigration, sex trafficking, fentanyl dealers and gangs.

Cowsert’s announcement also emphasized his opposition to abortion rights, as well as his support of the Second Amendment and legislation backed by Gov. Brian Kemp—Cowsert’s brother in law—limiting the damages juries can award in lawsuits.

He is the second Republican to join the AG race. Sen. Brian Strickland (R-McDonough), the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, previously announced. With more than a year until next May’s primaries, no Democrats have publicly jumped into the race.

Cowsert’s move will also open up his Republican-leaning Senate seat. One potential candidate could be state Rep. Houston Gaines (R-Athens), who has amassed a campaign war chest of nearly $1 million.

Cowsert’s full announcement is below:

ATHENS, GA — Longtime Republican State Senator and veteran attorney Bill Cowsert is officially entering the race for Georgia Attorney General, bringing decades of courtroom experience, a rock-solid conservative record, and a fearless commitment to law and order. 

Elected in 2006, Cowsert has been the General Assembly’s most trusted conservative legal mind—respected across Georgia for his principled leadership and commitment to law enforcement. 

Most recently, Senate leaders chose Cowsert to lead the Senate Special Investigative Committee investigating the alleged unethical conduct of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, whose politically motivated prosecution of President Donald Trump has drawn national condemnation. As Chairman of the Senate Special Investigative Committee, Cowsert is also spearheading investigations into alleged campaign finance malfeasance by groups led by Stacey Abrams. 

“DA Fani Willis, NY AG Letitia James, and other partisan prosecutors have undermined public confidence in the fairness of our criminal justice system,” Cowsert said. “Their abuse of power is a threat to the rule of law, and it’s time to put an end to the weaponization of our justice system.” 

Cowsert pledged to restore trust in Georgia’s justice system by holding all public officials accountable—regardless of party. “I will vigorously prosecute corruption of any kind by any politician in either party. As Georgia’s Attorney General, I will enforce the law without fear or favor. That is the leadership I will provide.” 

Cowsert’s announcement follows his appearance at the Tort Reform bill signing with Governor Brian Kemp, where he championed legislation for common sense legal reforms to help lower insurance costs. Throughout his Senate career, Cowsert has been a driving force behind legislation cracking down on violent criminals, defending the unborn, and protecting Second Amendment rights. 

“I envision a Georgia where our families are safe, and illegal immigrants, sex traffickers, violent gangs and fentanyl pushers are too afraid to cross the state line. That is why I am running to serve as our next Attorney General,” said Cowsert. “Let me be clear. I will use every power allowed by law to slam the door shut on sanctuary cities like my hometown of Athens. Our Georgia will no longer tolerate the musings of extremist liberals more concerned with hurting the feelings of Venezuelan gang members in our country illegally than they are with keeping young women from being brutally murdered and raped. Her name was Laken Riley. We will say her name, and we will not allow this to happen again in Georgia.” 

Cowsert pledged to continue the bold leadership Georgians have come to expect from its current leaders. “I want to thank our current Attorney General Chris Carr for his great work in combatting gangs and sex trafficking. I will follow his path and double down on these efforts,” said Cowsert Tuesday. “I also want to praise the incredible work done by First Lady Marty Kemp and her GRACE Commission in fighting the scourge of sex trafficking. She has made a historic impact on our state with her hard work. I will make sure her legacy continues to grow as I will keep this issue a top priority for the next AG office.” 

Cowsert is highly regarded by law enforcement leaders statewide for his steadfast commitment to law and order during his time in the Senate. 

“A personal focus of mine will be launching a new war to combat the fentanyl trade in Georgia. Too many young people in our state have been victimized by adulterated drugs laced with fentanyl. China and drug cartels are waging a war against us. We will treat it as such. This is our country, our state, and our home,” declared Cowsert. “It’s time we take them back. 

“To the criminal illegal aliens, the fentanyl pushers, the violent gangs and the sex traffickers, I have a simple message. The clock is ticking. Leave Georgia now.

“To the citizens of Georgia, I also have a simple message. I have decades of experience with hundreds of jury trials in courtrooms all across Georgia. I ask for your vote to put that experience to work for you as Attorney General. I will do everything in my power to keep our families safe.”  

Cowsert enters the race as the clear conservative frontrunner, with unmatched legal credentials, deep grassroots support, and a reputation for getting results. 

WHAT OTHERS SAY 

“There’s no one I trust more to serve as our next Attorney General than Bill Cowsert.” – Former Walton Co. Sheriff Joe Chapman 

“Bill Cowsert is the go-to guy when we need a champion to keep our families safe. He has consistently proven that he fights for us.” – Oconee Co. Sheriff James Hale 

MORE ABOUT BILL COWSERT 

During his time in the General Assembly, Bill has used his positions of leadership to champion important conservative issues including significant pro-life legislation, education reform, healthcare reform, reduction in the size of government, and true fiscal responsibility. He has an “A” rating from the National Rifle Association, has won the Guardian of Small Business award from the National Federation of Independent Businesses, Legislator of the Year from the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, and has repeatedly received an “Award for Conservative Achievement” from the American Conservative Union. 

Raised in Macon, Bill graduated from Presbyterian College and the University of Georgia School of Law. He and his wife Amy raised their three children in the Classic City of Athens, Georgia. Bill and Amy are active members of First Presbyterian Church of Athens. Bill is the founding partner of Cowsert Heath LLP, a local law firm in Athens, where he has earned the highest ratings for ethics and legal abilities with Martindale Hubbell.

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