PRESS RELEASE 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
SEPTEMBER 28, 2024 
CONTACT: Davis Lundy 423-240-5749 
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MACON, Ga. – Congressional candidate Wayne Johnson today reacted to the loss of 11 lives, millions in property damage and expected loss of agriculture crops in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene rampaging through Georgia’s 2nd Congressional District and up through the entire state.

“I want to extend my condolences to the families of those who lost loved ones in last night’s hurricane,” said Johnson. “We know there was extensive damage to property in the Valdosta area and many other parts of Georgia, and while assessments are still being made, we already know there was extensive loss by farmers of peanuts, pecans and cotton in South Georgia.”

Johnson is working hard to defeat 32-year incumbent Sanford Bishop in the November General Election from Georgia’s 2nd Congressional District, which includes Macon, Albany, Columbus and 30 counties in Middle and Southwest Georgia. Early voting begins Oct. 15 and Election Day is Nov. 5.

Johnson said Georgia produces 88 million pounds of pecans a year worth $400 million, more than any other state, and much of the pecans crops come from Daugherty, Mitchell and Lee counties, all located in the 2nd Congressional District. Johnson also said Georgia is the second largest state producing cotton in the country. It was estimated that only 1% of the cotton crops were harvested before the arrival of Helene. Johnson said Hurricane Michael did more than $2 billion in crop damage in 2018, and he fears the loss from Helene could be worse.

“If today I were the congressman from the 2nd District I would be talking with every agency in Washington right now, lining up the resources that would be poured into the counties where crops were lost,” said Johnson. “A day would not go by until I got the Federal government engaged in direct help to farmers and all others affected by hurricane Helene. 

Georgia Cotton Commission Executive Director Taylor R. Sills said Friday afternoon that Helene devastated cotton crops in Georgia. Affected producers reported yield losses ranging from 35% to a total loss. Producers are also reporting significant losses in farm structures, equipment and infrastructure.

“I want to know what Sanford Bishop is doing today to help farmers,” said Johnson. “If he did what he did after Hurricane Michael in 2018, the answer to that question is that Sanford is doing very little to nothing,” said Johnson. “When you lose pecan trees, it can take a decade to recover. Losing expensive farm equipment can be devastating because farmers cannot secure the financing to replace the equipment.”

“On Oct. 31, 2018, Bishop was at a legislator’s luncheon in Baconton, which is in Mitchell County. At the meeting and in an interview with WALB-Albany, Bishop pledged to introduce legislation that would financially support the farmers who lost their crops. He said he hoped to pass the bill in December 2018”, observed Johnson. 

“Bishop failed to pass the legislation, and, in fact, my campaign cannot find a record that Bishop actually introduced the legislation,” said Johnson, an Army veteran and appointee to a senior position in the Trump administration. “A significant difference between Sanford and myself is that when I make a pledge to get something done, I will not rest until it gets done.”

“This is another reason why a change in leadership would be good for the citizens in Macon, Albany, Columbus and the 30 counties in the 2nd District”, emphasized Johnson. 

Dr. Wayne Johnson was born in Macon and has been a lifelong resident of Georgia. Johnson is a husband, father, grandfather and U.S. Army veteran. He obtained his undergraduate and doctoral degrees from Mercer University and his master’s in business from Emory University.

Johnson is a respected former banker who has established businesses in Middle and Southwest Georgia, other parts of Georgia and internationally. He has enjoyed both cattle and tree farming and has worked for major corporations with ties to Georgia’s 2nd Congressional District.

“My message has been and will continue to be that we must ‘Stop the Stupid in Washington’ and address the kitchen table issues impacting every family in our district,” said Johnson. “A change will be good for the citizens of the 2nd District, and with their votes, we will retire Sanford Bishop”.