Today we celebrate Veterans Day and I wanted to extend my appreciation to all of those who have stepped forward and answered the call to serve. Even though this day was set aside as a day when we show our thanks to those who served in the military, I always include Law Enforcement, Firemen, and Paramedics among the people I thank. Any person who is called into a life of serving others and is willingly risking their own life to protect ours – whether overseas or here at home – is special to me. Remember that no one prays for peace more than a Soldier because they best understand the consequences of war. No one better appreciates our freedoms because we have seen too many places where they have none. Thank you to all that came before me to create the greatest military in the world and to those that are continuing to serve so I can live peacefully here at home. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t miss you guys. Remember to always thank veterans, not just on the day obligated to them.

One race down and we are still standing!

Thanks to everyone that came out and voted yesterday. This race is about you having a voice in Atlanta so please be sure you return to the polls on December 4th and vote again. We are one step closer and we can’t stop now!

I was fortunate to speak with Colin Worthington on WLBB’s Community Voice program last Tuesday morning. It is a half hour program where I was able to answer specific questions about why I should be selected as your next State Senator. I’ve posted the link on my Facebook page for easy access. For those who do not have Facebook, you can listen to the audio here.

Tonight I have been given the opportunity to speak at the Georgia Farm Bureau Forum at the V-Plex in Villa Rica. Ag related industry has been, and still remains, a crucial part in what drives the 30th District. I look forward to having the opportunity to talk with the audience about how we are going to continue to support such a vital industry, while working to retain and attract new industry to our area. The forum is 7:00 – 9:00 PM.

Last night, Tuesday October 9, I had the great honor of holding a fundraiser at the home of Ray and Linda Fulford. I was extremely pleased with the amount of people who showed up to demonstrate their support. It was such a pleasure to meet new people and to catch up with familiar faces. I can’t express how thankful I am for the continued support being shown to me in all forms.

I touched on a few issues in my platform that I plan to tackle as your representative. I spoke of how I was raised by my parents to hold true to the value of a promise. If it was deemed important enough for me to promise, then you can be sure that I will do everything in my power to uphold that promise. When I promise to be your voice for District 30, that is a promise I will most certainly keep. My whole purpose in running for this State Senate seat is to provide better representation for you, the voter. Yours is the voice that needs to be heard, and yours is the voice that I represent. You will put me in office and I WILL do the job that I promised you I would do. A Dugan always keeps his promise.

Today I celebrate my twenty-fifth anniversary to my best friend and my most honest ally. I made a promise in the form of my wedding vows a quarter of a century ago and I have not swayed from that promise. I promised to love and cherish her, to be her faithful partner in sickness and health, in joy and sorrow, and in good times and in bad. I have held that promise to her since the day we exchanged the most solemn of vows.

Let me prove to you that I can and will keep the promises I have made to you just as I have upheld the promises I gave to the love of my life, Missy, twenty-five years ago today.

I was extremely proud of how Gov Romney performed in the first debate last night. Of the two, he was obviously the better prepared and offered clear direction as to the path our country should take. I was proud to see we are back to talking substance over rhetoric. He was exactly correct in his observation that the President just keeps saying the same thing over and over again in the hopes that someone will start to believe it.

Governor Romney made one comment that is as appropriate for my election as it is for the national one. During the course of the debate he said “We know the path we’re taking is not working. It’s time for a new path”. I feel absolutely the same way about the State Senate. We’ve consistently sent the same people – career politicians – to represent us and have received very little in return. It is time that we move in a new direction and select a person who is more concerned with public service than politics. A person who is more concerned about his constituents than his own personal ambitions.

We can make a difference in both these elections this year – but only if we decide to change our own course and elect people ready to lead.

Yesterday, I had the great fortune of spending a day off from campaigning and got to spend the time with my family. We spent the day cheering on our favorite baseball team, the Atlanta Braves, and saying goodbye to Chipper Jones.

I’m always reminded, on days like yesterday, how special my family is to me, especially now that both my children are busy with college classes and their other respective time commitments. Life moves far too quickly, but even with my fast paced life, nothing means more than taking a step back and enjoying time with those who mean the most. Sometimes the littlest things in life, like enjoying a Sunday baseball game with my family, are the things that mean the most.

“Welcome to my site, and thanks for visiting”. I am excited to be running for the opportunity to serve the 30th District for the great State of Georgia and hope that you will support me. I believe that we should have less politicians and more public servants and I want to serve you at the State Capitol!

Mike Dugan