Joe F. Ragland (April 7, 1936 – January 24, 2025) was an American politician from the state of Georgia. He served as a Democratic-turned-Republican member of the Georgia House of Representatives from 1967 to 1969.[1] He was born in Newnan, Georgia, grew up in Macon, and earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Georgia. He began a career in realty before being elected to the Georgia House of Representatives as a Democrat in 1966.[2][3] On March 1, 1968, he switched to the Republican Party, citing what he saw as the benefits of a strong two-party system and the alignment of local youths with his new party.[4] Later that year, he lost the Republican primary for re-election to future U.S. congressman Billy Lee Evans.[5]
Electoral history
1966
General election
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Joe F. Ragland | 16,198 | 52.6 | |
| Republican | Thomas W. Alexander | 14,568 | 47.4 | |
| Total votes | 30,766 | 100 | ||
1968
Primary election
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Billy Lee Evans | 1,101 | 65.6 | |
| Republican | Joe F. Ragland * | 578 | 34.4 | |
| Total votes | 1,679 | 100 | ||
References
- ^ "Joe F. Ragland". Columbus Ledger-Enquirer. February 7, 2025.
- ^ "Joe Ragland Seeks Post In House". The Macon Telegraph. June 6, 1966.
- ^ a b "Bibb absentee vote". The Macon Telegraph. November 11, 1966.
- ^ "Bibb's Joe Ragland Switching to GOP". The Atlanta Journal. March 1, 1968.
- ^ a b "King, Gautier See Victory As Ragland Meets Defeat". The Macon News. September 12, 1968.