For Immediate Release January 8, 2007	FFI Contact:Matt Carrothers Director of Communications 404.444.0368
Karen Handel Makes History Georgia’s First Republican Secretary of State in 130 Years ATLANTA – Karen Handel officially became the first Republican Secretary of State of Georgia in 130 years today at the Swearing In Ceremonies at Philips Arena. Flanked by her husband, Steve, an executive with Hewlett Packard, Karen repeated the Oath of Office using the Handel Family Bible. “I am honored to have used the same bible that was used many years ago in two other political swearing in ceremonies for Steve’s grandfather and grandmother,” said Mrs. Handel. “I was particularly close to Steve’s grandparents who were the Fire Commissioner and Notary for Hamden, Connecticut.” Mrs. Handel, former Chairman of the Fulton County Commission, made election reform a central theme of her campaign. “Reforming elections in Georgia is all about the BASICs. That is Ballot Accountability, System Integrity, and Citizen Confidence. This plan is a blueprint for Georgia’s future regarding elections,” said Mrs. Handel during her campaign. Georgia voters obviously agreed, giving her over 54 percent of the vote in the November General Election. “I am so proud of Karen,” said her father, Albert Walker, Sr., who, with other family members, came down from Maryland to attend today’s ceremonies. “We always knew she was destined to be a leader and she looked spectacular up there.” Mrs. Handel will hit the ground running on Tuesday, her first official day in the office. In addition to previously scheduled meetings, and a staff orientation, one of her first orders of business is a comprehensive look at the different divisions and their functions, as well as introducing legislation in the 2007 General Assembly.