FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2025

[Updated May 6, 2025 at 4:30 PM ET]
Updated to reflect that only one of the video participants is an officer.

Second FOIA Reveals Cobb GOP Chair Filed Legal Residency Application in South Carolina

Cobb County, GA — Public documents filed in South Carolina and Georgia raise questions about the residency status of Cobb County Republican Party (Cobb GOP) Chair Mary Clarice Hathaway. Records indicate that in late 2022, Ms. Hathaway declared South Carolina as her legal domicile while remaining an active voter in Georgia — a timeline now drawing concern from some within the Cobb GOP.

According to records from the Pickens County, SC Tax Assessor’s Office, on November 16, 2022, Ms. Hathaway filed an affidavit affirming South Carolina as her legal residence for purposes of obtaining a residency exemption. Required documentation for this exemption includes a South Carolina driver’s license, vehicle registration, and applicable tax filings. Approximately one month later, she removed her Georgia Homestead Exemption on her Cobb County property.

Additional public records show that Ms. Hathaway:

• Declared South Carolina as her legal domicile in 2022
• Removed her Georgia Homestead Exemption after the declaration
• Remained an active Georgia voter, participating in the 2022 U.S. Senate Runoff and the 2024 General Election
• Is subject to a residency review initiated by South Carolina tax officials, according to communication with the Pickens County Tax Assessor’s Office dated April 7, 2025

Following internal concerns about eligibility and transparency, a group of thirty Cobb GOP officers submitted a petition under Georgia Republican Party Rule 8.8B requesting a formal committee meeting to review Ms. Hathaway’s qualifications. The petition cites the need to clarify whether the declarations and voting activity align with expectations of party leadership and bylaws.

“Regardless of intent, the timeline and actions raise serious concerns,” said a Cobb GOP officer who signed the petition. “Party credibility is at stake, and brushing this aside does a disservice to every Republican who expects accountability.”

Timeline at a Glance

• 10/04/21 – Deed transfer received for South Carolina property
• 11/16/22 – Affidavit filed declaring SC residency
• 11/21/22 – Date of occupancy listed at SC residence
• 12/06/22 – Voted in Georgia U.S. Senate Runoff Election
• 12/20/22 – Removed Georgia Homestead Exemption
• 11/05/24 – Voted absentee in Georgia General Election
• 03/01/25 – Announces candidacy for Cobb GOP Chair
• 03/22/25 – Elected Cobb GOP Chair
• 04/01/25 – Initial Rule 8.8B petition submitted
• 04/03/25 – Petition reviewed and denied by former parliamentarian
• 04/07/25 – Residency review initiated by SC tax officials, per assessor’s office
• 04/10/25 – Follow-up petition filed for committee meeting
• 04/14/25 – Petition response issued by Chair Hathaway
• 04/19/25 – Petitioners submit formal rebuttal
• 05/15/25 – Deadline to issue meeting call under Rule 8.8B
• 05/25/25 – Deadline to convene Cobb GOP Committee Meeting per petition

Learn More: Supporting Documents
Watch: Interview with Cobb GOP Officer

###

For press inquiries please submit questions to:
GOP Accountability
[email protected]