Colton Chase Moore (born October 10, 1993) is an American politician who represents Georgia's 53rd Senate District in the Georgia State Senate. He previously represented Georgia's 1st House District in the Georgia State House of Representatives from January 14, 2019, to January 14, 2021. At 24 years old, he was the youngest elected official ever from Dade County, Georgia, and is a supporter of ex-president Donald Trump. On September 28, 2023, the Georgia Senate Republican Caucus indefinitely suspended Moore for attacking his Republican colleagues.
Personal life
Early life and education
Moore was born and raised on his family farm in Dade County, Georgia, where he resides today. As a child, Moore said he "idolized Teddy Roosevelt, seeing him as a figure who acted quickly and boldly". Moore was the State President of Georgia Future Business Leaders of America under Executive Director Monty Rhodes from March 2011 to March 2012. During that time he led more than 25,000 students and 320 advisers.
At age 18, Moore became a commercial truck driver, and started auctioneering while studying at the University of Georgia. In 2016, Moore graduated from the University of Georgia with a double bachelors in political science and international affairs.
Since graduating college, Moore runs his family's bulldozing and trucking business, and is an auctioneer.
Political career
Georgia House of Representatives campaign and election
Nineteen months after graduating college, Moore, then 24, qualified to run against incumbent John Deffenbaugh in the House race for District One. Moore's budget was just $3,500 and completely self funded, a tenth of Deffenbaugh's campaign spending. With no declared Democratic opponent, Republican Moore was elected as the presumptive District 1 State Representative on May 22, 2018, after defeating John Deffenbaugh by a margin of 326 votes with a final tally of 2,184 to 1,858.
Policy and legislation
In 2019 Moore was rated by American Conservative Union as the seventh most conservative legislator in Georgia. He has supported and cosigned bills such as HB 2, HB 481, and the "Heartbeat Bill"; supported 10-year term limits; advocated for the end of film subsidies; and supported HB 179 (died in committee) "which would allow school teachers and administrators to utilize discipline in schools without having it negatively impact their school’s climate ratings".
Support for Brian Kemp
Moore has supported now Governor Brian Kemp from the beginning of his run, being the first representative- elect to endorse him. On October 15, 2018, Rep-Elect Moore acquired the domain name BrianKemp.com, in reference to Georgia's current Secretary of State and 2018 Republican gubernatorial nominee, Brian Kemp. Previously, BrianKemp.com had been redirected to Democratic opponent Stacey Abrams' website, which caused confusion for those looking for Brian Kemp's official website. Moore and friend, Michael Gargiulo, a domain-name expert, "brokered a five-figure name transaction to buy the rights to the site". Moore used personal money. As of October 15, 2018 BrianKemp.com now displays accurate links and information about how Colton Moore acquired the URL. In November 2018, Moore unofficially campaigned for Kemp. Moore drove a truck that was covered in signs, urging people from Catoosa, Walker and Dade to vote for Kemp. Kemp thanked Moore on social media multiple times, saying that the "Big Trucks for Kemp Coalition is working hard!” and "Big thanks to State Representative Colton Moore for working to Get Out The Vote in Northwest Georgia with his 'Big Trucks for Kemp' dump truck!”
Support for Donald Trump
Moore has also been a strong supporter of Donald Trump since the beginning of his campaign in 2015. In 2018, Moore was responsible for bringing a Trump rally to Chattanooga. Moore extended an "official invitation" to the president, and in November 2018, Trump and Vice President Pence visited Northwest Georgia and Chattanooga, Tennessee.