ATLANTA –State Representative Katie Dempsey (R-Rome) earned the American Conservative Union’s (ACU) “Defender of Liberty” award for voting 100 percent in support of legislation reflecting conservative principles during the 2012 legislative session. The ACU recently released its inaugural rankings of the Georgia General Assembly, which includes scores for state House and Senate members based upon their votes on legislation the ACU deemed important to conservative principles.

“I am honored to receive such a noteworthy score from the American Conservative Union,” said Rep. Dempsey. “I am humbled by this recognition and will continue to work hard to represent my district and our great state of Georgia.”

For 2012, the ACU tracked a wide range of issues before the General Assembly to determine which issues and votes served as a clear litmus test for a representative’s conservative principles. According to the ACU, this includes support for a constitutionally limited government, individual liberty, free markets, a strong national defense and traditional values. Based on their votes on legislation falling into these categories, representatives were either recognized as “Defenders of Liberty,” “ACU Conservatives” or “True Liberals of the Peach State.”

Rep. Dempsey received a perfect score of 100 percent and was recognized as a Defender of Liberty during a reception at the Georgia State Capitol.

This is the first year the Georgia General Assembly was rated by the ACU. In 2011, the ACU expanded its annual Ratings of Congress to include ratings of state legislators in Florida, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, and Virginia. This year, the ACU further expanded its rating program to state legislators in 15 additional states.

“I am proud to present the inaugural Georgia ACU awards to those conservative state legislators who continue to fight for fiscal responsibility, the rights of the unborn and the Second Amendment,” said Al Cardenas, Chairman of the American Conservative Union.

Founded in 1964, the American Conservative Union represents the views of Americans who are concerned with economic growth through lower taxes and reduced government spending and the issues of liberty, personal responsibility, traditional values and national security.

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