(Editor’s Note: Because of the length of these endorsements, some regular features will not appear today, but will return in the Friday edition. —eeb)
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
MAY 19, 2020 | Today we present the result of spending time and getting to know 91 candidates in the upcoming primary and non-partisan elections. We are proud to endorse this list of candidates.
We do not endorse in any races where we have not spoken personally to the candidate. We have not talked with unopposed primary candidates. If these candidates have opposition in the General Election, we will invite them to talk with us before November. In a few races, we do not find candidates worthy of election, and will not endorse in that race.
All the candidates we have met have been asked to answer six general questions in 100 words or less. Their answers will continue to appear in GwinnettForum until the primary (see box at right). We recommend these responses to you to read, which are presented directly from the candidates in their own words without any editing on our part. Please compare the answers from the candidates before casting your vote.
Then in November for the General Election, we will select from those nominated which candidate we think best for the various offices. We invite you to read below our recommendations in the June 9 primaries.
Federal candidates:
For the U.S. Senate:
Tomlinson
Democrats: This year the hard-charging, two-term former mayor of Columbus, Teresa Tomlinson, 55, a litigation attorney, is our choice and heads-and-shoulders above other candidates, to challenge Sen. David Perdue for the Senate. She understands the role of government is to address systemic and economic changes, believes in government, and knows how to run it. She will keep a steady hand, and seek to make sure that the voting rights act applies to all 50 states.
Haston
Congress, 4th District:
Democrats: We were impressed with the candidacy of William Haston, 34, of Decatur, an operations contractor with North Point Ministries, and urge his nomination.
For Congress, 7th District:
Bourdeaux
Democrats: In 2018, Carolyn Bourdeaux came within 300 votes of winning this seat, and will be a strong nominee to win this office in November. Up against five candidates, we feel she is the best choice in the race, bringing progressive views, tenacity and forthrightness to the race. We feel Carolyn Bourdeaux, 49, of Suwanee, a college professor at Georgia State, should get this nomination.
Unterman
Republicans: There are several good candidates among the seven seeking this slot. We’ll go with proven experience and urge the nomination of State Senator Renee Unterman, 66, of Buford, for this position. She is a fighter all the way, and is a solid, experienced candidate for the office.
For Congress, 10th District: no recommendations.
Statewide candidates:
For Public Service Commission, District 4:
Noel
Democrats: A person already involved in energy efficiency, John Noel, 46, an environmentalist of Augusta, is our choice for this regulation role. He has previously served one term in the legislature. He wants to bring accountability to the PSC, feeling right now it is mainly serving the entities it regulates, not the people of Georgia.
Local Gwinnett County races:
For Chairman, Gwinnett County Commission
Lee Thompson
Democrats: Far above the other four candidates in this race is Lee Thompson Jr., 63, of Lawrenceville. He has years of service in the community, as a private attorney, and as someone who has represented several cities as their attorney. He is also a former state legislator. His best qualities are integrity, understanding of local government, and respected high standing in the county. He will be a solid successor to the years of responsible leadership that Charlotte Nash has given.
Neaton
Republicans: Of the three candidates in this field, we feel Marcia Neaton, 60, of Lawrenceville, an accountant, has the background of being a former commission member and is the best choice for this nomination.
For County Commission, District 1:
McClain
Republicans: There are two candidates running for this post. Our choice to win this nomination is Laurie McClain, 56, of Lawrenceville, a local certified public accountant.
For County Commission, District 3:
Moye
Democrats: Two of five candidates stand out in this race. Jasper Watkins III ran unsuccessfully for this job in 2016, and got 48 percent of the vote. He is a credible candidate. However, our choice in this race is John Henry Moye, 53, of Loganville, a policy director of the Urban League. He brings a background of understanding how government works. His leadership in civil rights and public policy give him unusual qualifications to be his party nominee for this post.
DeReimer
Republicans: We endorse the candidacy of Matt DeReimer, 35, of Dacula, a graphic designer, for this post. A former police officer, he seeks to bring the district together in common spirit without embarrassing the community, while improving services to the district.
For Gwinnett School Board, Post 1:
Democrats: no recommendation.
For Gwinnett School Board, Post 5:
Radloff
Democrats: Louise Radloff, 84, of Norcross, has served this board since 1972, and is the longest-serving and most formidable school board member in Georgia. We readily and happily endorse her. She has no General Election opponent, so will return to office with a victory.
For District Attorney:
Person
Democrats: Respected by his peers, and an experienced criminal trial lawyer, Wesley “Wes” Person, 55, of Loganville is the best choice for this nomination. He sees the need for reform in this field, wants to end the cash bail system, and will focus on reducing Gwinnett’s gang problems.
For Sheriff of Gwinnett County:
Clemons
Democrats: Four persons seek this nomination, in a field of especially highly qualified candidates. Any one of them would make a credible nominee. Our choice for this nomination is Curtis Clemons, 54, of Dacula, who retired in 2019 as assistant chief of the Gwinnett Police Department.
Solis
Republicans: Two candidates are running for this nomination, with Louis Solis, 59, also of Dacula, is our pick for the Republicans. He has been the chief deputy to Sheriff Butch Conway, and says that he would continue the 287-G program if elected.
For Tax Commissioner of Gwinnett County:
McIvor
Democrats: Three candidates seek to unseat Republican Richard Steel for this position. We feel the person who has the best qualifications for this nomination is Maureen McIvor, 50, of Peachtree Corners, a public administrator at a health care software company. Her business acumen and education put her ahead for this administrative post.
Gwinnett legislative candidates
State Senate races:
Senate District 9:
Merritt
Democrats: Three people seek this nomination. Our selection is Nikki Merritt, 47, of Grayson, an AT&T employee, who has the drive, intelligence and determination to be an effective senator.
Senate District 41:
Beverly Jones
Democrats: Five people seek this slot. Three candidates did not choose to talk to GwinnettForum. We talked with two candidates and feel that Beverly R. Jones will make the best person to succeed the respected Steve Henson in this position. Ms. Jones, 60, is a Stone Mountain behavior counselor and has governmental experience of serving three terms on the Stone Mountain City Council.
Senate District 45:
Matielyn Jones
Democrats: Three people seek this elected office. The best candidate to represent this area is Matielyn Jones, 38, who lives in Buford and is a talent and learning projects manager of Habitat for Humanity. She feels the need for more compassion in politics and wants to tackle the bail bond program. She asks to address what our state spends on homelessness compared to spending on mass incarceration.
Baker
Republicans: Three people seek this nomination. We believe Sammy Baker, 61, of Lawrenceville, a pest control company owner, will make a good nominee. He wants to shrink the size of government, go to zero-based accounting and approves of term limits.
Senate District 48:
Au
Democrats: Michelle Au of Duluth is best to win this nomination. She is a 41year old native Chinese American who is a medical doctor and anesthesiologist at St. Joseph’s Hospital. She wants to address changes needed in the health care field to make access more affordable for more people. She says: “A doctor helps people fix problems, so entering the race is a natural extension of this for me.”
Georgia House races
House District 93:
Kendrick
Democrats: After serving 10 years as a state representative, we encourage the re-nomination of Dar’Shun Kendrick, 37 of Lithonia, a private securities attorney. She has served this district well and deserves this nomination.
House District 99:
Lim
Democrats: This district has two young Democratic candidates, Jorge Granados, 27, and Marvin Lim, 35, both of Norcross, vying for this nomination. With no Republican candidate, the winner of the primary will become the next representative. Our choice for the post is Marvin Lim, a Yale-trained attorney who seeks to represent this heavily foreign-born district.
House District 103:
Schmidt
Republicans: Three Republicans and one Democrat seek this seat. Donald Schmidt, 22, of Dacula is the youngest candidate seeking office this year in Gwinnett County. He is our favorite for this seat. He is a computer science and information technology specialist who seeks to eliminate education’s Common Core, who has worked in the office of two governors.
House District 104:
Hemingway
Democrats: Two persons seek this nomination, so that the winner can face Republican Rep. Chuck Efstration in November. The two contenders, both from Dacula, are Nakita Hemingway, 44, a Realtor, and Andrea Stephenson, 69, a consultant in epidemiology and a travel agent. We endorse the candidacy of Nakita Hemingway, who says she didn’t want to run, but “something found me.” She seeks to change the unchecked balance of governmental power, particularly in zoning and land rights use.
House District 106:
Mitchell
Democrats: Two Democrats are seeking to unseat veteran Rep. Republican Brett Harrell in this race. They are Emily Leslie, 36, of Lilburn, an adviser on foreign affairs, and Rebecca Mitchell, 38, of Snellville, a veterinarian with a Ph. D. who is a big data analyst in research at Emory. Our choice for this post is Rebecca Mitchell, who we feel has unique skills in math modeling which can bring a critical voice to legislative understanding and decisions.
Non-partisan judicial candidates
For the Georgia Supreme Court
Bethel
Justice of the Supreme Court (Bethel seat): We urge the election of the current judgeship, Charlie Bethel, 44, of Dalton to this position. He is a former litigation attorney. He had previously served as a Dalton City Councilman and State Senator, who was appointed to the court by Gov. Nathan Deal. He is proving to be a fine justice, and should continue in office.
Moroz
Justice of the Supreme Court (Warren seat): For this position, we urge the election of the challenger, H.R. Moroz, 61, of Albany, to unseat the current judge, Sarah Warren, 38, of Atlanta. She was appointed to the high court by Gov. Nathan Deal in 2018. We base our endorsement on Mr. Moroz’s long experience. He is a prosecutor in the Albany District Attorney’s office, and practiced previously in Gwinnett. He is also a retired Infantry lieutenant colonel. We feel Ms. Warren lacks sufficient experience and time as an attorney to sit in the higher court.
For Gwinnett Superior Court
Rich
Judge of Superior Court (Rich seat): We endorse the incumbent judge, Randy Rich, 53, of Suwanee, to this position. He has 16 years of experience on the court.
Judge of Superior Court (Schrader seat): Four women seek to unseat Judge Kathy Schrader for this position. However, looking at the background of all these challengers, we feel none can hold a candle to what Judge
Schraeder
Kathy Schrader, 58, of Duluth, has achieved while on the bench. She is completing her second term on the court, and is seen as an accomplished jurist by the bar association poll. She has been active with both the Drug Court and the Parent-Accountability Court, which particularly has been a great addition for helping payers of child support learn to be more stable. We urge the re-election of Kathy Schrader.
For Gwinnett State Court
Bratton
Judge of State Court (Bratton seat): For this position, we urge the re-election of Shawn Bratton, 48, of Suwanee, as a state court judge. He has nine years of experience on this bench, and has served with distinction, with a 99 percent non-reversal rating.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Follow Us