A self-described conservative businessman and political outsider has announced he wants to succeed U.S. Rep. Jody Hice (R-GA-10) in Congress.

Candidate Matt Richards, in an emailed press release, said he is “a pro-Trump businessman who went from sleeping on a dirt floor to owning his own multi-million dollar demolition company in Atlanta.”

The press release said Richards will put $1 million into his campaign. Richards’ press release also said he was born in Lilburn and currently resides in Bethlehem.

“Matt was forced to drop out of high school to provide for his family,” according to the press release.

“Through hard work and determination, Matt climbed the ranks from changing oil to working every job in the construction field to building numerous businesses, including Legacy Demolition that he owns today.”

Richards campaign website says he will fight Democrats’ “radical attempts to confiscate our guns” and also fight their calls for abortions on-demand.

“He will crush the woke mob and cancel culture to defend our freedom of speech and preserve our history,” according to Richards’ website.

“Matt Richards and a coalition of freedom-loving conservatives will rip up the left’s socialist plans for a radical takeover of our state and country.”

Hice announced in March that he wants to replace Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and will run for Raffensperger’s seat next year.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump, in a written statement, promptly endorsed Hice’s candidacy.

“One of our most outstanding Congressmen, Jody Hice, has announced he is running for secretary of state in the great state of Georgia. Jody has been a steadfast fighter for conservative Georgia values and is a staunch ally of the America First agenda. Unlike the current Georgia secretary of state, Jody leads out front with integrity,” Trump wrote.

“I have 100 percent confidence in Jody to fight for free, fair, and secure elections in Georgia, in line with our beloved U.S. Constitution. Jody will stop the fraud and get honesty into our elections! Jody loves the people of Georgia, and has my complete and total endorsement.”

Hice, in a statement on his campaign’s website, said “free and fair elections are the foundation of our country.”

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Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Matt Richards” by Matt Richards.