In a recent article published by the Marietta Daily Journal (MDJ), Andrew Cole denied any significant connections to the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) or its associated Super PAC, New Southern Majority PAC IE, which is actively working to flip the Cobb County Board of Education blue. According to the federal government’s website, a Super PACs may receive and spend unlimited amounts money for a candidate that is independent of a campaign. However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that Cole’s involvement with the Super Pac and their California mega donors goes far deeper than the Democrat Candidate led the MDJ reporter to believe.
The MDJ article, published on September 27, 2024, highlights a new website launched by the SPLC-affiliated Super PAC, CobbFacts.com, which criticizes the leadership of Republican Cobb school board member Brad Wheeler. The website, created on July 7, 2024, claims that Cobb County schools need new board leadership and singles out Wheeler while supporting his Democratic challenger, Andrew Cole. The site’s message echoes a larger agenda to bring progressive changes to Cobb County schools.
In response, Wheeler expressed concern about the influence of outside organizations like the SPLC on local races. In a statement to the MDJ, Wheeler said, “I’m not sure what relationship Mr. Cole has with this group, you would have to ask him. I do know the SPLC is spending a lot of money trying to dramatically change our schools, which dramatically affects our students and home values across all of Cobb.”
When approached for comment, democratic candidate Andrew Cole told the MDJ that he wasn’t aware of CobbFacts.com until it was shared with him by the MDJ reporter, Hunter Riggall. Cole also claimed that his only interaction with the SPLC and its affiliates was filling out a questionnaire for the SPLC Action Fund, which later endorsed him. However, this narrative is contradicted by multiple facts.
A brief review of Cole’s political activities reveals a much deeper connection to the SPLC than he has acknowledged. First, Cole, recorded a political video for the Super PAC, which is still circulating online. The video can be viewed here. In this video, the Super PAC Southern Majority records Mr. Cole stating his objections in a campaign to influence Cobb County school board voting decisions.
Cole’s collaboration with the Super PAC can also be seen on his campaign website, where it prominently features a digital photo produced by the SPLC, seen below. Despite his attempts to distance himself from the SPLC, the evidence suggests otherwise.
Adding further complexity is Cole’s claim of being a grassroots candidate with no large donors. In fact, in a Cole video posted to Facebook, the Democrat candidate made the unusual offer to personally cook dinner for any donor contributing $10,000 to his campaign. This video promise stands in sharp contrast to his public assertions of running a campaign without the backing of major donors, raising questions about who is really funding his campaign and what why a national Super PAC would become involved in Cobb County School Board races.
When reached about Cole’s involvement with the Super Pac and the inconsistent statements made to the MDJ his opponent, Brad Wheeler said, “This raises serious concerns about Cole’s honesty and transparency” Wheeler went on to say, “My opponent has an established history of making inaccurate statements” Attempts to get a response from Cole went unanswered.
