By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
MAY 3, 2022 | Today the entire issue of GwinnettForum will reveal our selection of the statewide and Gwinnett candidates who we feel will be the best nominees in current races of each of the political parties on May 24. We do this after talking and getting to know 75 candidates individually, and evaluating their backgrounds and their platforms. If candidates have no opposition in the primary, we do not list an endorsement, since they automatically become the nominee of that party for that office.
All announced candidates were offered a chance to spend 30 minutes with GwinnettForum. Candidates who chose not to visit with GwinnettForum were not considered for an endorsement.
Even more important in today’s edition, our readers may on the right side of the front page click to a special page to read what the candidates who visited with us have to say in their own words to questions GwinnettForum put to them. On that page, you may click the blue-highlighted candidate’s names to read their views.
These comments from the candidates themselves are presented so that our readers may compare their stance on matters with their opponent. We commend 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 these candidate answers on these subjects before election day.
Here are our recommendations to the voters for the May 24 primary.
Federal candidates
For U.S. Senate
McCollum
Republicans: There are six candidates seeking this office. We suggest the best Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate is Jonathan “Jon” McColumn, 57, of Warner Robins. A retired Army brigadier general, we recognize that he may be considered a long shot candidate. Yet he is eminently qualified, and has the background, the intelligence and the basic understanding of our democracy to make a solid senator.
For Congress, 6th District
White
Democrats: There are two candidates seeking this office. We endorse Wayne White, 60, of Cumming, as the choice here. A former member of the Peace Corps and a civil engineer, we were impressed with his reasonable stand on key subjects, recognizing the importance of the government helping people recover from the pandemic. He also has solid ideas on health care, and he understands the need for expanding Medicaid which Georgians are already paying for.
Evans
Republicans: There are eight candidates in this district. Our support goes to Jake Evans, 35, of Roswell, a refreshing political newcomer who we see as an up-and-coming face of the party. An attorney, he seems a cut above the other candidates seeking this office. His stance on party matters will make him popular among party members, staying close to the party line. He is also young and sharp enough to have staying power for his future in Congress.
For Congress, 7th District
Bourdeaux
Democrats: We wholeheartedly support the re-election of Carolyn Bourdeaux, 51, of Suwanee. Republicans seemed to concede this district to Democrats, but forced another Congresswoman, Lucy McBath, into this race. Ms. Bourdeaux has been a stalwart fighter, in the middle of matters even when in a first term of Congress, battling for legislation to help her constituents, particularly about Medicaid, fiscal matters, voting rights, and infrastructure building.
Gonsalves
Republicans: The party has the choice of five candidates, all with standard GOP stances on issues. From this group, we pick for our endorsement Mark Gonsalves, 62, a consultant and veteran businessman of Johns Creek, who is a term limits candidate. He recognized the polarized nature of politics, and seeks to bring our nation back together, using unifying issues which are right for the times.
For Congress, 9th District
Howard
Republicans: Our choice in this race is Gregory Howard, 59, Lawrenceville, a self-employed owner of a campus career guides. He is seeking office to get many citizens rights restored, which he feels have been stolen from citizens. He also wants to make sure that citizens have a right to redress grievances before a Grand Jury, which he says is not allowed by some district attorneys.
Georgia statewide candidates
For Governor
Taylor
Republicans: We suggest voters consider Kandiss Taylor, 41, a student services coordinator for Appling County Schools, of Baxley, as their candidate for governor. The mother of three children, this educator feels voters should get a chance to select “something like me, a regular person, to run our state.” She wants to protect the Constitution, and vows she won’t be “Bought off by the good old boy system.”
For Lieutenant Governor
Bailey
Democrats: There are nine candidates for this party in this race. We chose as our endorsee Charlie Bailey, 39, an attorney from Grant Park in Atlanta. An attorney in private practice in Atlanta, he ran for attorney general in 2018 and got 48.7 percent of the vote. He believes all citizens deserve the same safety and equal justice opportunities, and should not have to worry about their kid’s safety, or how they will pay a hospital bill. He’s energetic and young enough to be a strong champion for Georgians.
Miller
Republicans: Of the four GOP candidates in this race, our choice is Cecil Terrell (“Butch”) Miller, 65, a Honda dealer from Gainesville. Raised in Buford, he has shown great leadership in the Senate, and feels the country is at a crossroads. He says: “If we do not stand and fight against the liberal agenda, we will see a degradation of our nuclear family.”
For Secretary of State
Griffin
Democrats: There are five candidates seeking this nomination. We support the candidacy of Floyd Griffin, 77, of Milledgeville, a funeral director and retired colonel who flew helicopters in Vietnam. He’s running to “save our democracy,” feeling he can bring his military management experience to this “corporate level constitutional position.”
Raffensperger
Republicans: This is an easy choice. We strongly support Brad Raffensperger, 66, of Johns Creek to be elected. He has shown his grit for the office and democracy by standing up to the former president of the United States by doing what he knew was right. He has also improved the efficiency of the many types of businesses his office licenses and regulates.
For Attorney General
Democrats: No recommendation.
Republicans: No recommendation.
For Commissioner of Agriculture:
Hemingway
Democrats: Three people seek this office. We support the candidacy of Nakita Hemingway, 46, of Dacula. A former teacher and also a Realtor, she and her husband operate a flower-growing nursery on their farm. She is a fifth generation farmer and native of Savannah. She feels our country will be stronger when our farmers are profitable. She also sees this as an opportunity to bring better health and food products to the people.
For Commissioner of Insurance:
Wilson
Democrats: We feel the best candidate here is Matthew Wilson, 38, an attorney of Brookhaven. He sees the role as among the most powerful statewide positions, because of the regulatory authority it has over insurance companies, and therefore, the prices people pay for insurance. He prioritizes improving the lives of Georgians by insuring better insurance protection for them.
King
Republicans: One of the best appointments of the Kemp Administration has been that of the current Insurance Commissioner, John King. A former police chief of Doraville, Mr. King, 56, is a major general in the Georgia National Guard. He has taken the Insurance Commission office that fell in disrepair when its former commissioner was indicted and sent to prison, and turned it around in a short time! We endorse his nomination for the office.
For School Superintendent:
Hitchens
Democrats: Four people seek this nomination. We endorse the candidacy of Currey Hitchens, 42, an attorney with Georgia Legal Aid, from the Kirkwood neighborhood of Atlanta. She has heard the problems of students needing to get help, and feels she should run to make sure these needs are met. A former teacher in Decatur, she understands the classroom and feels she can lead this department to better heights.
Barge
Republicans: The present and former state school superintendents seek this nomination. We endorse John Barge, 55, of Rome, currently an educational consultant, to return to this office. He feels that there has been little leadership from the current office holder, and he can provide better guidance and leadership for Georgia’s schools. He feels schools should not be a battleground for cultural wars.
For Commissioner of Labor:
Jackson
Democrats: A legislator with more than 20 years of experience, Dr. Lester Jackson, 63, a dentist from Savannah, is our choice for this position. He has been a state senator for 14 years, and prior to that, 10 years as a House member. He sees the Labor Department in disarray, some unemployment claims being a year old before they are settled. He wants to bring order to this, and make sure Georgians are served well, as they should be. His statewide experience makes him the best candidate in this race.
Republicans: No endorsement.
For Public Service Commission, District 2:
Durand
Democrats: Patty Durand, 63, of Conyers, the CEO of Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative, is our choice for this nomination. She is an expert on the use of energy and the way energy prices are determined. She feels the Commission allows utilities to put profit ahead of public interest, with the PSC often virtually rubber-stamping what the utilities want. She is the type of member Georgia needs as it moves more into modern regulatory services in the 21st Century.
For Public Service Commission, District 3
Moore
Democrats: Seeking to be an advocate for the people, Missy Moore, 47, of Decatur, will make a good nominee for this position. She seeks to establish a “go green” group of area leaders to move Georgia into a transition toward renewable energy. She maintains Georgia has the eighth highest utility rates in the nation, and they are generated “on the backs of Georgians, especially residents and small businesses. This begs to be more equitable.”
Gwinnett County candidates
For State Senator, District 5
Rahman
Democrats: Emphasizing Gwinnett’s diversity, we endorse the re-nomination of Sheikh Rahman, 62, of Lawrenceville, a Muslim, and a small business owner originally from Bangladesh. He’s among Democrats hoping to expand Medicaid. He is planning to introduce an Outdoor Study bill, wanting to help young people “get outside in the fresh air and not stay on the computer.” He’s represented his district well, and deserves to be re-elected.
Republican: No endorsement.
For State Senator, District 7
Moore
Democrats: We’re pleased to see Beth Moore, 40, of Peachtree Corners, an entertainment attorney, seek this office, after she has served for four years in the House. She’s a candidate who feels health care is the number one issue, believing improved health care is “the moral and fiscally-responsible matter before us.” She also says she represents the new American majority currently not represented in Georgia, while she also feels she can be the senator for former Republicans who have lost their party.”
For State Senator, District 48
Still
Republicans: Businessman Shawn Still, 49, of Johns Creek, a businessman who operates Olympic Pools, is the best choice for this nomination. He has been a behind-the-scenes party member for years, as the finance chairman of the Georgia Republican Party, and now feels it is the time to stick his neck out. Among his proposals is the elimination of election drop boxes. He also wants more support for the police, and also for the mental health area.
For State Senator, District 55
Butler
Democrats: We’re glad to see veteran legislator Gloria Butler, 80, of Stone Mountain, choosing to run again. Now in her 24th year at the Capitol, Senator Butler has been a stalwart on many issues, especially by being someone who can help “so many who don’t know how to access the system. It’s gratifying when I can help.” She is also a strong advocate of expanding Medicaid “…to cover people in this state who do not have any kind of medical insurance.”
For House District 88:
Democrats: No endorsement.
For House District 97:
Wu
Democrats: Two newcomers are seeking this seat. We endorse the candidacy of JT Wu, 27, of Norcross. He is a founder of an early childhood literacy non-profit. He wants to improve Georgia’s youth, especially by investing in early education, so that Georgia will reduce the number of people who can’t read by the Third Grade. “That’s proven that it’s the best way to go,” he says. He also seeks to make it easier to provide the gold standard in health care, since so many now can’t get health care because of red tape.”
For House District 100:
Rich
Republicans: Two current legislators were put into this newly-drawn district, which is mostly in Gwinnett but also covers Forsyth and Hall counties. The obvious choice here is Attorney Bonnie Rich, 52, of Suwanee, who ironically was the chair of the committee redistricting the House. She found Rep. David Clark of Buford, who had announced that he would not run, pitted against her. Clark shows little interest in government, seldom attending legislative sessions, while Ms. Rich is in the thick of the leadership. She deserves this nomination.
For House District 106:
Hutchinson
Democrats: Here again, two current legislators, both solid performers, were placed in the same district against one another. While we respect the service of freshman Rebecca Mitchell in the last session, we’ll go with seniority and choose Shelly Hutchinson to be the nominee for this post. Ms. Hutchinson, 52, the owner of a mental health center, has completed her second term, and has done a good job of establishing relationships at the Capitol, even with people across the aisle. “Without relationships, you would flounder. It’s a game-changer for me.” Meanwhile, we hope to see Rebecca Mitchell remaining in public service. We need her scientific mind helping solve the problems of Georgia.
For Solicitor-General:
Democrats: The people of Gwinnett County will be better served if the challenger, Lisamarie Bristol, is elected for this position. There is no Republican candidate for solicitor, so whoever wins the primary will be the next solicitor-general. Ms. Bristol, 40, of Snellville, is currently a senior assistant district attorney in DeKalb County. She seeks to bring stakeholders together to resolve current issues and to return the office to efficient operations. Meanwhile, her opponent, the current solicitor-general, Brian Whiteside, has an office in disarray, mismanages it, and constantly seeks to promote himself. Talk to any member of the local Bar, and they will suggest replacing the solicitor-general. Most notably, the State Court of Gwinnett has held Mr. Whiteside in “criminal contempt” for not showing up for proceedings, something that he has admitted in court. That says a lot. Nominate Ms. Bristol.
For County Commission, District 2
Ku
Democrats: We suggest that the people re-nominate the current commissioner, Ben Ku, 40, a high-tech businessman of Tucker. We’ve been pleased to see the current commission continue the progressive leadership that Gwinnettians have come to expect. The commission members are working well together, and have a good vision for our future. Mr. Ku has shown his willingness to listen to the people and presents a solid understanding of what Gwinnett needs. We urge his nomination.
Non-partisan statewide judicial races
Colvin
For Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court (Colvin seat): We endorse the election of Verda M. Colvin, 56, of Macon to this four-year position. Ms. Colvin has served as a judge of the Macon Circuit Superior Court for six years before being appointed to the Court of Appeals by Gov. Brian Kemp. He later elevated her to the Supreme Court in 2021. She has served with distinction, and deserves election to this full term.
Non-partisan school board races
Knudsen
For Gwinnett School Board Post 2: Gwinnett Countians are proud of their public schools, among the best in the nation, though a gigantic system, with 188,000 students. Because of this, and because of good management by its board in the past, we see no need to change one of its members. We therefore support the re-election in this primary race of Steven B. Knudsen to this position. Mr. Knudsen, 58, of Sugar Hill, is president of Frontier Gratings, a builder of open end steel bridges. He has the management skills needed for a school board seat. We can be sure he will understand the complex workings of the district, and appreciate his previous experience.
Sones
For Gwinnett School Board, Post 4: Our choice for this seat is Matt Sones, 54, of Lilburn, a policy analyst. He would bring a skill always needed on such a board, one who can digest complex measures and come up with working solutions. He feels the School Board is in danger of deteriorating, as shown in some lowering of test scores. He doesn’t want to see the Board put the education of children in danger, and wants it to focus back where it should be.
Non-partisan Gwinnett judicial races
For Superior Court (Cason seat): We recommend the re-election of Tracie H. Cason, 50, (right) of Bethlehem, to this seat. She first won election in 2018, and has served with distinction. She previously worked for 21 years as a prosecutor before going on the bench.
Duncan
For Superior Court (Duncan seat): A veteran municipal court judge since 1999, who served the cities of Chamblee, Snellville, Suwanee, Norcross and Doraville, Angela Duncan, 52, of Lawrenceville, has also been a municipal court judge. She has sat on the Superior Court bench since January of 2020, appointed by Gov. Brian Kemp. It’s time to elect this judge to a full term on the bench.
For Superior Court (Hamil seat): Experience counts, particularly for judges. One candidate has 19 years of experience sitting as a Superior Court judge in Gwinnett County. That’s Tim Hamil, 61, (right) of Snellville, and we readily endorse his continuation on that bench.
Dove
For State Court (open seat): There are three persons seeking this seat on the State Court in Gwinnett, a position being vacated by Chief Judge Pam South. We feel the best candidate for this position is Erica Dove, 47, of Lawrenceville, who was in private practice at King and Spalding and has been a criminal defense attorney. She has been for 10 years a prosecutor and knows the ins and outs of the courthouse well.
Ballots
To view the 2022 sample ballots, click these links:
- Democratic primary and non-partisan ballot
- Republican primary and non-partisan ballot.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
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