Sam Snider: Knight in Shining Armor Rides Through Gilmer

Picture yourself in a Wal-Mart parking lot on a typical late Saturday morning, until you spot a flatbed bus whizzing past you, carrying a ten-foot high, metallic knight in gleaming armor, with a sword swinging high and mightily in the air. That’s what East Ellijay residents were treated to when supporters of candidate for the Seventh District of the Georgia State House Sam Snider casually rolled through town. Ray Boyd, the owner of the knight statue, was not on the scene. The knight sat in his front yard for years, until he decided to put his large statue to good use by drawing attention for his chosen candidate. His son, Garrett Boyd, was the driver, and he is also a firm supporter of Snider’s campaign, saying: “we support people that are not politicians.” Boyd was not certain what the knight symbolized, but one could gather that the knight symbolized Snider’s stance as a knight in shining armor, ready to fight for and defend his constituents. But regardless of the knight’s meaning, the stunt drew plenty of attention, as everyday folks congregated around the bus.

Other enthusiastic supporters of the State House candidate included campaign supporters Joe McCutchen and George Winn, along with members of the Snider family, Helen and Glenn Snider. McCutchen, in a jovial manner, was more than happy to take pictures and lend support to his candidate, as a crowd of eager onlookers snapped pictures with their camera phones. East Ellijay was not the only stopping point for the bus; the good people of Blue Ridge were also treated to such a sight. If Snider’s campaign staff pulls off more stunts like these, they will surely generate more buzz for their candidate.