I am a native of Georgia and have chosen to live my entire life here in our beautiful state. Born in Atlanta in 1968, I grew up and lived in Henry County virtually my entire life. Like many native Georgians, I have primarily Cherokee and Scots-Irish blood coursing through my veins – both of which, along with my upbringing, have instilled in me a love for our land, our people, and our rich heritage.
I had several ancestors, to my knowledge, who fought for the beloved Southland during the War of Northern Aggression. The ancestor under whom I joined the Sons of Confederate Veterans is Wade Hampton Trammell, who also grew up very near my own boyhood stomping grounds. As a boy, I was taught to appreciate the rich heritage and sacrifices of both my Cherokee and Confederate ancestors from Georgia.
I was raised in a Christian home by Christian parents; and, consequently, I accepted Christ, myself, as a young boy. I have been a Baptist my entire life and, though not without faults, have sought to serve the Lord my entire life, as well. It has been my honour to serve the Lord in many areas as a layman; and I have had the privilege of helping many others come to know Christ as their personal Saviour, too. I count my faith in God and His Word to be my greatest asset, as I seek to serve as your next governor.
I am self-employed as the president of Ray McBerry Enterprises, where I serve as a business strategy and marketing advisor for clients who own small businesses. I sell radio and television advertising in the Atlanta area and am also the president and founder of DixieBroadcasting Radio.
Politically, I consider myself a “constitutionalist” – that is, I strongly support a return to the original principles of our Founding Fathers. Although I have voted for Democrats, Republicans, and even Independent candidates at times in my adult life, I do not support the globalist, socialist policies of either the Democrat or Republican parties at the national level; but I do feel that most Georgians who vote Republican feel about the same as myself… folks who support traditional values and a return to the Bible and the Constitution. When I agreed to run as a Republican candidate for Governor of Georgia in 2006, I did so to provide true conservatives an alternative to the neo-con (read more accurately "pseudo-conservative") candidates that were offered by the two major political parties. Our campaign was a very forthright "States' Rights" platform that was enthusiastically embraced by Georgians who heard the message everywhere that we went. Folks were delighted to hear someone in the political realm finally saying things that they personally feel for the first time in a long time. With hard work and God's blessings, I am hopeful that in Georgia, if nowhere else, we may yet restore some sense of liberty for our children and grandchildren through the re-institution of the doctrine of "States' Rights" in Georgia politics.
With regard to the Georgia Division of the SCV, I have tried to be very active since joining several years ago. I have conducted "living history" programs by myself and with others on numerous occasions; was instrumental in having "Confederate Heritage Month" observed daily during the month of April in the government high school where I taught history; have spoken at many SCV camp meetings and special events around the state and neighboring states; have participated in "activist" duties including organising 1956 Georgia flag rallies, had more than 9,000 "Let Us Vote" signs move across my front porch in 2001-2002, organised a "county flag" effort, led the successful effort to have the Ten Commandments posted in the Henry County courthouse several years ago as part of our heritage, and have appeared on numerous radio, television, or print segments defending our Southern heritage in Georgia and beyond.
I look forward to serving our noble Cause in whatever role the good Lord allows as long as I'm around.
For Georgia First,
Ray McBerry
