Meet the District 175 candidates
Carter resigned at the end of 2017 to take a position as the executive director of advancement for the
Gov.
The first week of early voting has ended and two more weeks of early voting remain at the elections office,
Four candidates vie for Carter's unfinished term. They are:
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"I am 40 years young, and I have resided in
1. What qualifies you to represent
Gear: "I am qualified to represent
"I am ready, willing and equipped to represent
"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." --
2. What will be your priorities if elected?
Gear: "If elected, I will fight for legislation and programs that safeguard our environment in a way that creates better opportunities for the people of
3. What distinguishes you from your opponents?
Gear: "My unique life experiences as a veteran, an educator, a minority and a woman distinguishes me from my opponents. These life experiences have opened windows of understanding for me and allowed me to see people and the struggles that they face in a broad manner -- past, present and future. As a veteran, I understand the importance of our democracy and the importance of preserving each individual's rights, freedoms and pursuit of happiness. As an educator, I have seen how the burden of poverty, lack of early education, unequal access and societal issues creates barriers for students and their parents, which places prosperity far out of their reach. As a minority and a woman, I have a deep understanding of how inequality, sexism and discrimination in terms of access and opportunity act as potholes and cracks that hinder individuals before they even start to build a road to prosperity. As a result of my life experiences, I have a better understanding of how we are interconnected in a web of mutuality. Public policy and legislation is never isolated to the group that it was intended, but is far-reaching and impacts everyone in great and small places. These life experiences and understandings distinguish me from my opponents."
4. What do you see as the biggest issues plaguing
Gear: "The biggest issues plaguing
"The biggest issues plaguing
"1) Health care: All of
"2) Living wages: The minimum wage should be raised to a living wage. No individual should work 40 hours per week and not be able to provide the basic needs of life for themselves and/or their family. People deserve real pay for a work day.
"3) Public transportation: Geographical location should not hinder access to opportunities for better jobs or post-high school educational opportunities. Providing transportation increases the opportunity for upward social mobility, which is progress. I will work with municipalities and representatives across
"4) Education: Education is the foundation for prosperity. I will work to help minimize standardized testing in K-12 schools. Focus less on the test so teachers can give students their best. I will work to help renew a focus on career development so that schools can better prepare students for post high school job and educational opportunities.
"5) Equality: All individuals should have equal rights and opportunities regardless of their gender, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, age or disability. I will write and support legislation that values and protects the diversity of individuals that make up the great
5.
Gear: "It's always an advantage to have an opportunity to represent my state and more importantly, my community. This seat was originally held by a Democrat and I would like to continue the legacy by working across the aisles for our wonderful state and its people."
"My name is
1. What qualifies you to represent HD 175?
Phelps: "My strong sense of community and wanting to serve, along with my 36 years of experience I have gained through public safety in working in different areas of state and local government. Having the privilege of working on several political campaigns qualifies me. This includes Govs.
2. What will be your priorities if elected?
Phelps: "My priorities if elected is to advance our rural economic development, to work with the
3. What distinguishes you from the other candidates?
Phelps: "I'm not a politician, just a regular working-class person who has served others for many years in public safety. I would like to continue my service as your new representative for
4. What do you see as the biggest issues plaguing
Phelps: "The biggest issues I see in
5.
Phelps: "
Political Experience: First-time candidate. Education:
"I am actively involved in my children's activities and in numerous civic and business organizations, such as Leadership Georgia (Class of 2015), the
"I enjoy spending time outdoors on my family farm, flying and being with family and friends."
1. What qualifies you to be represent
LaHood: "I'm the fourth generation to live and work right here. My entire life has revolved around faith, family, work and stewardship. Raised by entrepreneurs, I was taught to trust God, work hard, commit to family and seek purpose.
"In 1978, my grandfather started Fellowship Home on our family farm, a senior-living community, as a ministry to serve the seniors of our community, and I have continued that tradition as a third-generation owner and operator of Fellowship Senior Living with five locations and 200-plus employees.
"I firmly believe that to whom much is given, much is expected. That's why I have a strong sense of duty and a desire to serve our community.
"With my business experience, deep roots, understanding and tradition of serving in this community and my conservative principles, I am prepared to serve and get the job done for our families, farmers and businesses."
2. What will be your priorities if elected?
LaHood: "Make sure our community and
"Preserve our conservative
"Protect taxpayers by using my business experience to bring a results-driven approach to state government.
"Improve rural health care and health-care outcomes by pushing
"Stand strong for our farmers.
"Grow our economy through less government, common-sense business principles and workforce developments to ensure our families can find good jobs and that future generations can stay right here in our community and succeed.
"Safeguard our right to bear arms.
3. What distinguishes you from your opponents?
LaHood: "As fourth generation to live and work here, I know this community. I understand our interests and share our values, and I will be a voice for them at the state capitol.
"Service isn't new to me. I have a long history of serving this community, whether it is caring for the members of the greatest generation at Fellowship or as a community leader in numerous organizations in the district. Running for office isn't about recognition or a title for me. I am running out of a desire to continue my family's commitment to serving others.
"Coming from a family of entrepreneurs with interests in health care, hospitality and agriculture, I understand how to grow our economy and create a prosperous future for
"As a business owner, I am required to solve complex problems every single day. This is a skill I will take to the state capitol to champion our interests.
"As a husband, father and a Christian, I share the traditional
"My deep roots, understanding and tradition of serving in this community, commitment to faith and family, conservative principles and business experience uniquely prepare me for this job."
4. What do you see as the biggest issues plaguing
LaHood: "While we have challenges, I believe we have tremendous potential.
"That is exactly what I intend to do as your representative. I will use the skills I have learned in business and in serving this community to advance our interests, protect our values and secure a bright and prosperous future for our families and future generations."
5.
LaHood: "I am not running as a Republican because of any advantage. I am running as a Republican because I am one. I am a conservative that supports freedom, less government, lower taxes, the Second Amendment and believe our values of faith and family are worth fighting for. With that said, it is a fact that
"I'm a resident of
1. What qualifies you to be represent
Reaves: "I am a successful business owner and have struggled and bounced back to understand where small businesses, families and jobs are being affected in our community. My grandfather,
2. What will be your priorities if elected?
Reaves: "Helping families that are being hit from every direction, there are many struggling for jobs every day.
"Treatment for our veterans and elderly and the benefits they need to receive.
"I want to continue to focus on agriculture, since it's the backbone of
3. What distinguishes you from your opponents?
Reaves: "I am not a yes man. I can't be bought. I have lost everything and bounced back from nothing. I took a stand in what I believed in and didn't back down. I intend to do the same for this district."
4. What do you see as the biggest issues plaguing
Reaves: "Families struggling for work and growth of new businesses, affordable health care needs for our citizens, salary increases of our first responders, firemen, officers and EMTs: these issues and many more need to be addressed and I plan to do my best to make this a great district."
5.
Reaves: "I am a Republican because of my beliefs and those are the same as the people that I have grown up with and believed in. These beliefs I have are based on lowering taxes, less government regulations, following immigration laws and private health-care services instead of government-run programs. I want to keep it in
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