Bennecke was born in Chattanooga , TN , and attended Dalton State College , then transferred to the University of Georgia . At 21 , he was selected as an alternate delegate to the 2000 Republican National Convention in Philadelphia . At 23 , he served as Political Director for the campaign to elect St. Sen. Sonny Perdue to the Georgia Governorship . Perdue won despite being heavily outspent by incumbent Democrat Roy Barnes . Subsequently he was named Political Director , and later Executive Director of the Georgia Republican Party , serving under chairman Alec Poitevint . During this 2003-06 period at the Georgia GOP , Republicans seized control of the State House of Representatives ( a net gain of 34 seats ) and the State Senate ( net gain of 8 seats ) . The party also elected a Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State , as well as re-electing Perdue in 2006 , the first Republican in 134 years to serve as Governor
2000 Republican National Convention
2000 Republican National Convention
Paul Bennecke