Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has found himself at the center of yet another controversy. This time, the long-serving election official is accused of secretly soliciting millions in donations through a newly created organization, raising concerns about the transparency of his actions and the true purpose of the funds. Critics, including Georgia GOP Chairman Josh McKoon, are sounding the alarm, accusing Raffensperger of using underhanded tactics to undermine those fighting for election integrity in the state.
Kylie Jane Kremer, Executive Director of Women for America First, recently exposed a private email sent by Raffensperger to trial lawyers across Georgia. In this email, Raffensperger allegedly solicited $5 million in contributions for his newly formed “Election Defense Fund, Inc.” The organization, which was created in 2023, claims to be dedicated to protecting Georgia’s election results by targeting local election officials who may delay certification of the results. However, Kremer and other critics view this as a direct attack on election officials who are advocating for stricter election integrity measures.
🚨GA ELECTION INTERFERENCE🚨
The GA SOS is up to no good and gearing up to go after the Georgia State Election Board (SEB) members and others not willing to certify the election and/or those willing to shine the light on any potential fraud in this election
Raffensperger sent… pic.twitter.com/yMo29RZgzV
— Kylie Jane Kremer (@KylieJaneKremer) October 22, 2024
The entire email from Raffensperger reads:
As Georgia’s Secretary of State, I have held both parties accountable to you the voter for six years, and now I am asking for your help.
Across the country and including here in Georgia, election deniers and conspiracy theorists have taken their anger to new levels, employing a variety of tactics including intimidation, legal challenges, and rule changes.
In Georgia, they have threatened, harassed, and sued election officials.
And as you know, most recently the Georgia State Election Board was taken over by three individuals who have pledged to put partisanship over sworn duty
These members ot the State Board passed a measure that would empower local officials to refuse or delay certification of a county’s election results, creating the potential for another disputed and contentious post-election period in November. A few weeks ago they passed additional new rules, one rule that will require ballots to be hand-counted.
We all know the results in Georgia are going to be close, one way or the other. As Georgia’s Secretary of State, I am committed to free, fair, and fast elections and must demand the law is followed and the integrity of the election process and results are maintained.
Election Defense Fund, Inc. was created to stand up to this.
Election Defense Fund, Inc. is a 501(c) (4) dedicated to protecting this year’s election results, and standing up against those who attempt to delay certification.
EDF will identify local election officials who are most likely to not certify or otherwise attempt to interfere with results; educate the public to remind election officials of their duty to follow the law and the potential consequences of not doing potential consequences of not doing so; support lawsuits that seek to force election officials to uphold their legal duties, and defend election officials who are harassed, targeted, or sued for doing their lawful duties.
Perhaps most importantly, Election Defense Fund, Inc. intend to launch a robust program to respond to combat disinformation and go directly to voters via digital ads.
Election Defense Fund, Inc. can accept unlimited contributions.
Contributions are confidential and not disclosed to the public. I have attached a contribution form that contains check and wire instructions.
You can also make a contribution online at https://electionsdefensefund.com/
I have copied Allison Meyers on this email. Please feel free to reach out to her with any questions at [redacted]
This effort must be funded quickly.
Our goal is to raise a minimum of $5 Million before November 1st. I appreciate your timely consideration.
Please feel free to call me anytime.
Thank you,
Brad
Critics of Raffensperger argue that his Election Defense Fund is less about defending elections and more about silencing officials who are fighting for election integrity. Kremer revealed that Raffensperger specifically singled out three members of the State Election Board—Dr. Jan Johnson, Janelle King, and Rick Jeffries—who have been leading the charge on implementing new rules to strengthen election oversight in Georgia. These rules include enhanced verification measures such as signature matching, video surveillance of ballot drop boxes, and hand-counting physical paper ballots. The goal of these measures is to curb election fraud and restore public confidence in election results.
Raffensperger’s email suggested that these officials are part of a broader effort to delay or obstruct the certification of election results. His fundraising plea positions the Election Defense Fund as a means to confront and potentially penalize officials who resist certifying results, a move that many interpret as a direct attack on those advocating for election security.
Backlash from Republican Leaders
Georgia GOP Chairman Josh McKoon did not mince words when he criticized Raffensperger’s actions. In a statement, McKoon called the email “a dangerous and unwarranted attack on sworn elections officials doing their duty.” He further accused Raffensperger of trying to undermine the election process and erode public confidence in its outcome, all while raising millions of dollars in a secretive manner.
“This email communication by Mr. Raffensperger is a dangerous and unwarranted attack on sworn elections officials doing their duty which threatens to interfere in the conduct of the election and undermine confidence in the outcome,” McKoon said. He also pointed to Raffensperger’s checkered past in election oversight, referencing the 2020 presidential election, which was fraught with accusations of fraud and mismanagement.
McKoon also questioned the legality of Raffensperger’s fundraising efforts, highlighting that the Election Defense Fund operates as a 501(c)(4) organization. Such organizations are allowed to accept unlimited contributions without disclosing donor information, a structure that many critics argue opens the door to potential misuse of funds and undue influence from anonymous donors.
The controversy surrounding the Election Defense Fund has only deepened as more details come to light. Kremer revealed that Ryan Germany, Raffensperger’s close associate and the auditor overseeing the Fulton County election audit, is listed as the secretary of the Election Defense Fund. Germany was involved in the 2020 election audit, which itself has been the subject of intense scrutiny and accusations of corruption. Kremer described the inclusion of Germany on the board of the Election Defense Fund as a clear conflict of interest, given his role in overseeing election audits.
Here is the official paperwork from the SOS for the 501(c)4 Election Defense Fund that Brad Raffensperger is raising $5million by November 1st to target election officials.
You can see Ryan Germany is listed as the Secretary & Incorporator. pic.twitter.com/GO9mWuwqkz
— Kylie Jane Kremer (@KylieJaneKremer) October 22, 2024
“As early voting is underway and with 15 days still to go before Election Day, this is incredibly alarming to have the Georgia SOS, Brad Raffensperger, involved in any outside organization that is planning to target individuals who find election fraud,” Kremer wrote.
McKoon echoed these concerns, calling on the Election Defense Fund to either dissolve itself or repudiate Raffensperger’s email. He also demanded that the organization produce its charitable registration documentation, which would permit Raffensperger to solicit funds on its behalf. McKoon’s sharp criticism underscores the growing divide between Raffensperger and key Republican leaders in Georgia, who are increasingly concerned about his influence over the election process.
STATEMENT FROM @GaRepublicans CHAIRMAN @JoshMcKoon
This email communication by Mr. Raffensperger is a dangerous and unwarranted attack on sworn elections officials doing their duty which threatens to interfere in the conduct of the election and undermine confidence in the… pic.twitter.com/nKElxeejoK
— Josh McKoon 🇺🇸 🇹🇼 🇮🇱 (@JoshMcKoon) October 22, 2024
As Raffensperger pushes forward with his Election Defense Fund, questions about the true purpose of the organization and the ethics behind his fundraising efforts continue to swirl. Critics like Kremer and McKoon argue that Raffensperger is using his position to silence election officials who are advocating for stronger election integrity measures. Whether or not the Election Defense Fund will be successful in achieving its stated goals, one thing is clear: the battle over Georgia’s 2024 election is heating up, and Raffensperger’s role in the process is under intense scrutiny.
