This week I had the opportunity to watch political history unfold as House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted from his leadership role. Rep. Matt Gaetz led the movement along with a small group of Republicans. My first day covering the hill started at a press conference where Speaker McCarthy ensured reporters there wouldn’t be a shutdown and he was correct. That outcome ultimately led to his removal as House Speaker.
Here are some images I made during this historical week in Washington D.C.
I had the honor of interviewing Rep. Lucy McBath for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) long before she ran against Karen Handel for the 6th District seat. I can honestly say she is one of the most authentic people I’ve ever engaged with. I recently covered her town hall meeting at Dunwoody High School for AJC.
Rep. Lucy McBath, D-Ga., speaks during a town hall at Dunwoody High School on Saturday, June 8, 2019 in Dunwoody, Ga. Branden Camp for AJC
Guest listen as Rep. Lucy McBath, D-Ga., speaks during a town hall at Dunwoody High School on Saturday, June 8, 2019 in Dunwoody, Ga. Branden Camp for AJC
A volunteer takes a photo of Rep. Lucy McBath, D-Ga., during a town hall at Dunwoody High School on Saturday, June 8, 2019 in Dunwoody, Ga. Branden Camp for AJC
Rep. Lucy McBath, D-Ga., before speaking at a town hall at Dunwoody High School on Saturday, June 8, 2019 in Dunwoody, Ga. Branden Camp for AJC
A man asks Rep. Lucy McBath, D-Ga., a question during a town hall at Dunwoody High School on Saturday, June 8, 2019 in Dunwoody, Ga. Branden Camp for AJC
Rep. Lucy McBath, D-Ga., speaks with a group of Girl Scouts before holding a town hall meeting at Dunwoody High School on Saturday, June 8, 2019 in Dunwoody, Ga. Branden Camp for AJC
Robert Wofford holds a sign before a town hall with Rep. Lucy McBath, D-Ga., at Dunwoody High School on Saturday, June 8, 2019 in Dunwoody, Ga. Branden Camp for AJC
Rep. Lucy McBath, D-Ga., speaks during a town hall at Dunwoody High School on Saturday, June 8, 2019 in Dunwoody, Ga. Branden Camp for AJC
Sandra Brown, senior visual editor for AJC, sent me a text asking if I was available to cover an assignment. I briefly looked over the assignment and noticed it was near Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport. I was a little confused how I was going to take photos of some cowboys in Union City. I actually passed the ranch, because the ranch was really a house with a dozen horses in the backyard and situated right off of Flat Shoals Parkway. Once I parked in the driveway and grabbed my gear, I was immediately transported to another world. I honestly forgot I was shooting an assignment on a super busy road near the one of the busiest airports in the world until Arkansas Dave took his stallion along the parkway.
Logan Dansby, 12, prepares to clean a pony on a ranch off of Flat Shoals Parkway, Tuesday, July 30, 2019, in Union City. Branden Camp for AJC
Arkansas Dave rides his horse on a ranch off of Flat Shoals Parkway, Tuesday, July 30, 2019, in Union City. Branden Cam for AJC
Arkansas Dave and his son Logan Dansby, 12, clean a horse on a ranch off of Flat Shoals Parkway, Tuesday, July 30, 2019, in Union City. Branden Camp for AJC
Arkansas Dave rides his horse on a ranch off of Flat Shoals Parkway, Tuesday, July 30, 2019, in Union City, Ga. Branden Camp for AJC
Billy Ray Thunder holds a glove on his ranch off of Flat Shoals Parkway, Tuesday, July 30, 2019, in Union City, Ga. Branden Camp for AJC
Arkansas Dave poses for a portrait on a ranch off of Flat Shoals Parkway, Tuesday, July 30, 2019, in Union City, Ga. Branden Camp for AJC
Arkansas Dave rides his horse on a ranch off of Flat Shoals Parkway, Tuesday, July 30, 2019, in Union City, Ga. Branden Camp for AJC
Justin Brown, 11, sits on the bed of a truck as his grandfather, Billy Ray Thunder, demonstrates how to ride a horse on his ranch off of Flat Shoals Parkway, Tuesday, July 30, 2019, in Union City, Ga. Branden Camp for AJC
Arkansas Dave, right, cleans his horse while is son, Logan Dansby, 12, ties up his pony on a ranch off of Flat Shoals Parkway, Tuesday, July 30, 2019, in Union City, Ga. Branden Camp for AJC
Billy Ray Thunder and his grandson Justin Brown, 11, feed the horses on his ranch off of Flat Shoals Parkway, Tuesday, July 30, 2019, in Union City, Ga. Branden Camp for AJC
Billy Ray Thunder, Justin Brown, 11, Logan Dansby, 12, and Arkansas Dave pose for a portrait on a ranch off of Flat Shoals Parkway, Tuesday, July 30, 2019, in Union City, Ga. Branden Camp for AJC
Logan Dansby, 12, walks away from his pony on a ranch off of Flat Shoals Parkway, Tuesday, July 30, 2019, in Union City, Ga. Branden Camp for AJC
Politics are in full swing again. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution sent me on several assignments covering 6th District Rep. Karen Handel and her opponent Lucy McBath.
Campaign signs are displayed in a window as man enters the Cobb County GOP headquarters, Saturday, Oct.6, 2018, in Marietta, Ga.
Democratic candidate for 6th District Lucy McBath, who is running against Republican Rep. Karen Handel, speaks to campaign volunteers and supporters, Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, in Atlanta
Cobb County Commission Chairman Mike Boyce, left, talks with a woman during a breakfast meet and greet at the Cobb County GOP headquarters, Saturday, Oct.6, 2018, in Marietta, Ga.
Democratic candidate for 6th District Lucy McBath (L-R), former Governor of Massachusetts Deval Patrick, and Sally Harrell, who is running for a Dunwoody-based state Senate district, listens as Jon Ossoff speaks to campaign volunteers and supporters, Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, in Atlanta.
Democratic candidate for 6th District Lucy McBath, who is running against Republican Rep. Karen Handel, walks with former Governor of Massachusetts Deval Patrick, Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, in Atlanta.
A Trump flag hangs from the ceiling as people talk during a breakfast meet and greet at the Cobb County GOP headquarters, Saturday, Oct.6, 2018, in Marietta, Ga.
Rep. Karen Handel greets guest during a breakfast meet and greet at the Cobb County GOP headquarters, Saturday, Oct.6, 2018, in Marietta, Ga.
Democratic candidate for 6th District Lucy McBath, who is running against Republican Rep. Karen Handel, speaks to campaign volunteers and supporters, Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, in Atlanta
Police officers and members of the community gathered during a vigil to remember Gwinnett police officer Antwan Toney, who was killed in the line of duty, at Gwinnett Church.. A Gwinnett County police officer on Monday shot and killed Maynard, 18, accused of fatally shooting police officer Antwan Toney on Saturday near a school in the Atlanta area, police said. Shot on assignment for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Statewide employees watch as an American flag and a Thin Blue Line flag hang from one of their tow trucks, a company that regularly worked with Gwinnett police officer Antwan Toney, who was killed in the line of duty, Monday, Oct. 22, 2018, in Sugar Hill Ga. A Gwinnett County police officer on Monday shot and killed Maynard, 18, accused of fatally shooting police officer Antwan Toney on Saturday near a school in the Atlanta area, police said. (Branden Camp/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
Police officers and members of the community hold candles during a vigil for Gwinnett police officer Antwan Toney, who was killed in the line of duty, at Gwinnett Church, Monday, Oct. 22, 2018, in Sugar Hill, Ga. A Gwinnett County police officer on Monday shot and killed Maynard, 18, accused of fatally shooting police officer Antwan Toney on Saturday near a school in the Atlanta area, police said. (Branden Camp/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
Police officers and members of the community hold candles during a vigil for Gwinnett police officer Antwan Toney, who was killed in the line of duty, at Gwinnett Church, Monday, Oct. 22, 2018, in Sugar Hill, Ga. A Gwinnett County police officer on Monday shot and killed Maynard, 18, accused of fatally shooting police officer Antwan Toney on Saturday near a school in the Atlanta area, police said. (Branden Camp/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
A statewide employee raises an American flag and a Thin Blue Line flag hang from one of their tow trucks, a company that regularly worked with Gwinnett police officer Antwan Toney, who was killed in the line of duty, Monday, Oct. 22, 2018, in Sugar Hill Ga. A Gwinnett County police officer on Monday shot and killed Maynard, 18, accused of fatally shooting police officer Antwan Toney on Saturday near a school in the Atlanta area, police said. (Branden Camp/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
Police officers and members of the community hold candles during a candle light vigil for Gwinnett police officer Antwan Toney, who was killed in the line of duty, at Gwinnett Church, Monday, Oct. 22, 2018, in Sugar Hill, Ga. A Gwinnett County police officer on Monday shot and killed Maynard, 18, accused of fatally shooting police officer Antwan Toney on Saturday near a school in the Atlanta area, police said. (Branden Camp/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
A Statewide employee raises an American flag from one of their tow trucks, a company that regularly worked with Gwinnett police officer Antwan Toney, who was killed in the line of duty, Monday, Oct. 22, 2018, in Sugar Hill Ga. A Gwinnett County police officer on Monday shot and killed Maynard, 18, accused of fatally shooting police officer Antwan Toney on Saturday near a school in the Atlanta area, police said. (Branden Camp/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)