By Elliott Brack,
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
OCT. 18, 2022 | During this 2022 political season, Gwinnett Forum has talked directly with 108 political candidates, in order to meet them and to evaluate their candidacy, so as to determine which person will be the best candidate in statewide and local races.
Making such an evaluation has been a tradition in GwinnettForum since 2008. We take this as a serious responsibility as a member of the media community, seeking to report to our constituent of readers on an important part of the democratic process, an election of public officials.
Of the counties, Gwinnett is particularly known for its diversity. More than ever, there are a wealth of diverse candidates running. We applaud these relatively new members of the community getting involved in politics, and are pleased to endorse many of them, to reflect changing Gwinnett.
We offer a 30-minute meeting to all candidates who qualify to run for state and local offices, as reported on the official Secretary of State web site. We use the addresses and telephone numbers they list on that site to contact these candidates. We regret that some of those running for office—a minority of all candidates seeking office—did not take the time to visit with us. We thank those who gave us 30 minutes of their campaign time and who answered six questions about their candidacy. We are posting their answers on our site today, all this at no charge to these candidates. We regret that some candidates did not make themselves available for this service.
This year we have another possibility that November 8 won’t end the political season, as the Libertarian Party offers several statewide candidates. Add to that possible close races, and the continuation of annoying political charges may sully our airwaves. We hope not.
Now to the endorsements.
2022 FEDERAL RACES
For U.S. Senate: We wholeheartedly endorse the Rev. Raphael Warnock, 53, of Atlanta, for a full term in the Senate. His shortened two year term (replacing Sen. Isakson) has given him time to show the nation that he is making a fine senator to represent Georgia, sponsoring significant legislation, and holding his own as a peer among the Senate. His demeanor in the current campaign has been exemplary, above the fray, testifying to his character. Our anticipation is that he will serve Georgia for many years with distinction in this office.
For Congress, Sixth District: Our endorsement is for the candidacy of Democrat Bob Christian, 51, a baker from Dawsonville, to represent the sixth district of Georgia. We like his platform of a unifying message for our nation. He also abhors the January 6 insurrection and those who are false patriots; he wants to codify Roe v Wade, and supports legislation to ensure that every person’s vote counts.
For Congress, Seventh District: We support the candidacy of Mark Gonsalves for a seat in Congress from the seventh district. Mr. Gonsalves, 62, a Republican consultant from Johns Creek, is seeking this office for the second time. A graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth in accounting, he is someone who supports term limits, and wants to insure that Americans do not lose the freedoms that have been its practice for almost 250 years. “We are only one generation away from losing these freedoms,” he says. He feels there are unifying issues which can come together for the people at this time.
For Congress, Ninth District: A candidate from Murrayville, Democrat Mike Ford, 78, an attorney, is our choice for this post. A native of Macon and a Mercer graduate, he feels it is his duty to go to Congress and do his best to represent the district “without engaging in nonsense and lies about a stolen election.” He also wants to protect women’s reproductive rights, and is most perplexed by those wanting the states to decide such questions. Mr. Ford also recognizes the need to address the root problem of domestic terrorism from guns, “or we will continue to have that problem.”
2022 STATEWIDE RACES
For Governor: Most Americans recognize that our nation and our state are best served when no one political party is in total control. For the state of Georgia, it is a virtual certainty that the Republican Party will be in control of both the Senate and House next term. We therefore endorse the candidacy of Democrat Stacey Abrams, a former legislator, tax attorney and novelist, 49, of Atlanta, for governor. Ms. Abrams came close to winning this office in 2018, and her policies look even better this time. She has stimulating ideas, is a strong advocate of women’s rights, sees a more positive way for Georgians to have health care, and is a proponent of safe communities and strong law enforcement.
For Lieutenant Governor: GwinnettForum endorses the candidacy of Democrat Charlie Bailey, 39, an attorney living in Grant Park, for the number two constitutional job in Georgia. He is a former prosecutor of gangs, who recognizes several steps must take place to reduce gun violence, starting first with the family. He wants to expand Medicaid, and feels it is a moral failure to let hospitals close. He feels that “all of us deserve sane safety and equal justice before the law and I have fought for these in my career.” His opponent is a former false elector and Trump supporter.
For Secretary of State: It’s a no-brainer selection this go-around to support the candidacy of Republican Brad Raffensperger for re-election to this office, Mr. Raffensperger, 66, of Johns Creek, has served in an exemplary manner to protect the outcome of the 2020 Georgia elections, staunchly defending our election outcome in the face of an outraged president. We need more people in office who will stand their ground when they know they are right. Let’s keep him in this key office!
For Attorney General: While none of the three candidates met with GwinnettForum, we choose as the best choice in this race to be Democrat Jennifer “Jen”Jordan, 47, of North Atlanta. She is an attorney and former state senator, and grew up in Eastman, Ga.
For Agricultural Commissioner: We endorse the candidacy of Republican Tyler Harper, 36, of Ocilla, to oversee this vast department of Georgia government. A substantial farmer himself, this young candidate looks to find ways to provide the right resources for the farming industry, the state’s biggest industry. That includes seeking to incentivize farmers to invest in new technology, which will benefit all Georgians. We make this endorsement in the face of recognizing that a Gwinnettian, Nakita Hemingway, is also seeking this office. We feel Mr. Harper has a better chance to be successful in this office.
For Insurance Commissioner: We find that today that one of the best-run offices in state government is led by Republican John King, 56, of Roswell, the current commissioner. Taking over an office left in shambles by the former commissioner, who was sent to prison for theft, Mr. King has restored this office and can be proud of his service to this department of state government. He is holding insurance companies accountable. We happily endorse his election.
For State School Superintendent: We endorse the current school superintendent, Richard Woods, of Tifton, a Republican, for re-election to this job. His opponent was another candidate who did not visit with GwinnettForum.
For Labor Commissioner: There were three “no shows” with GwinnettForum for this job. We make no endorsement.
FOR GEORGIA LEGISLATURE
State Senate, District 7: A self-employed political consultant, Nabilah Islam, 32, of Lawrenceville, is our choice for this post. A child of immigrants from Bangladesh, she is a graduate of Georgia State University. She wants to work to see Georgians have better health care, including expanding Medicaid and protecting women’s right to an abortion. Another of her ideas is to attack the teacher shortage by paying them more. And she seeks an increase in access to the ballot, and sees no reason to legislate against giving water and food to people waiting in line during elections.
State Senate, District 40: Veteran Gwinnett Democratic legislator Sally Harrell, 56, a housewife and mother of Tucker, is up for re-election. One of the most astute of our Gwinnett delegation, she looks for crevices in budget issues. Last session she found a $550 per semester “temporary” special fee charged to state university students starting in 2009 that was still on the books, and got the Republican-controlled legislature to appropriate $230 million to plug that slush fund. Such actions deserve re-election.
State Senate, District 41: An Episcopal priest from Stone Mountain, Kim Jackson, 38, a Democrat, is completing her first term in office. Astute at the insides of politics, she works across the aisle, with every bill she presents having co-sponsors with Republicans. Her interest is in criminal reform, and also in allowing immigrants to be able to start school without waiting for a year by establishing residency first.
Senate District 45: A diversity consultant from Sugar Hill, Democrat Matielyn Jones, 40, is seeking this office. She’s the mother of two and is originally from New Orleans. She is concerned about housing, particularly with two-income families finding it difficult to compete with others in buying a home. She feels the $6 billion state surplus should be spent on the people. She is Pro Choice, wants to expand Medicaid, and seeks to find more data on the “why” of the present violence in Georgia.
Senate District 46: No recommendations.
Senate District 48: An immigrant born in Bangladesh, Democrat Josh Uddin, 56, of Johns Creek, seeks this office. The owner of several insurance agencies, Mr. Uddin feels that the insurance industry is in it only for the money, and is not socially responsible. He says that as a candidate with a health care background, he deals with people and knows what they need in this area. He wants to pay teachers more, and see better outcomes for schools, since students must compete globally these days. He says that some say the countries cannot find women leaders, but Bangladesh did so 36 years ago.
House District 30: No endorsements.
House District 48: Republican Scott Hilton, 42, of Peachtree Corners, is back on the campaign trail after losing in 2020 after serving one year in the House. A commercial banker, he recognizes that people are caught between inflation and recession, and beginning to hurt. He wants to strengthen the penalties for gang activity, and strengthen the police. He wants a practical approach to abortion, a one-stop site for those pregnant to have the resources they need, though he is Pro-Life.
House District 88: No endorsements.
House District 95: A Democratic statehouse representative since 2010, Dar’shun Kendrick, 39, an attorney from Lithonia, should be returned to the legislature. She succeeds because of her desire to help people in her district, and she continues to see a lot of people in her district. She plans in the next session to concentrate on legislation centered around health care and foster care, abortion rights and workforce development, with particular attention to the technology community.
House District 96: Another veteran Gwinnett legislator is Rep. Pete Marin, 64, a Democrat from Duluth. A consultant, he was the first Hispanic to be a member of the Legislature. He will push for stricter gun assault laws, and supports law enforcement and background checks.
House District 97: Two immigrant candidates are vying for this post, and both are new to politics. Our choice for this legislative post is Democrat Ruwa Romman, 28, of Duluth, a senior consultant with Deloitte. She is a graduate of Oglethorpe University, with a master’s degree in public policy from Georgetown University. A veteran of advocacy for 10 years, she wants to pay teachers more, increase apprenticeships more, expand Medicaid, and protect fundamental voting rights. If elected, she would be the first Muslim woman in the statehouse.
House District 99: Two highly qualified people seek this post. Our choice is Democrat Om Duggal, 63, a Hindu man who was born in New Delhi, India, who now lives in Duluth. He is an entrepreneur in hospitality and senior housing. He has seen how difficult it can be to get new businesses going, and seeks to help these small businesses. He believes in health care expansion, and though not against the second amendment, he wants to regulate assault weapons. He also wants state colleges to be free for all persons and is Pro-Choice. His opponent is Republican Matt Reeves, 45, an attorney who lives in Duluth, and is Pro-Life.
House District 100: No endorsements.
House District 101: Already serving two terms in the House is Democrat Gregg Kennard, 56, of Lawrenceville, a pastor with Nspire Outreach Church. He particularly is interested in working on mental health parity and substance abuse and treatment, and seeking more insurance coverage to pay for this huge gap though bi-partisan legislation. He supports a better safety net for law enforcement officers, and supports having mental health practitioners going along with them on calls. He feels that Georgia’s best days are ahead, and that the state needs legislators in touch with the complexities of their districts.
House District 102: Our choice for this post is Gabe Okoye, 61, a Democrat from Lawrenceville, a civil engineer and geoscientist. Mr. Okoye is the one person primarily responsible with building a much more effective Gwinnett Democrat Party by finding more people to run for election. He is originally from Nigeria, and runs to “give back to a country which has been so good to me.”
House District 103: no endorsements.
House District 104: Serving six terms in the House is Republican Chuck Efstration, 41, of Dacula, an attorney practicing family law. He has served with distinction as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, and has been named the Legislator of the Year.
House District 105: A newcomer to running for office, Democrat Farooq Mughal, 44, who lives in Dacula, is a native of Pakistan. He runs his own business advising local governments on policy and how to secure funding for projects. He was inspired to run when he was principal for a day at Dacula, after listening to young minds of diverse backgrounds who want to make changes. “They were my role models,” he says, “to give these kids a vibrant future.”
House District 106: A Democrat from Snellville now completing her second term in the House, Shelly Hutchinson, 52, who owns a mental health treatment center, is our choice for this post. She has been a gamechanger in the Legislature by doing a good job in making relationships across the aisle. “Without it, you flounder,” she says. She realized this in getting her legislation inserted in Republican bills, though she got no credit for her effectiveness. She reminds this corner of a “workhorse,” instead of a “showhorse.”
House District 107: One of the smartest representatives Gwinnett has is Democrat Sam Park, 36,of Lawrenceville, an attorney with the Positive Health Center in Duluth. He has been effective in passing limited waivers on health care for pregnant mothers and their enrollment for Snap Care and Peach Care. He is for common sense gun reform, recognizing that more guns mean more risk of a fatal accident, since statistically a waiting period before a person gets a permit reduces gun violence, suicide and causing harm. He also opposes guns in church, since the current Republican bill that passed put “guns before God.”
House District 108: It’s refreshing to see two good people run for this office. Democratic candidate Jasmine Clark, 39, a clinical instructor at the Emory School of Nursing, lives in Lilburn. Her opponent is Johnny Crist, 71, a Republican and minister, was mayor of Lilburn for eight years. With two good candidates, it’ll be good to see either of them win. No endorsement.
House District 111: No endorsement.
GWINNETT COMMISSION RACES
Commission District 2: A commissioner for the last four years, Democrat Ben Ku, 40, of Tucker, who owns a software consulting company, has served well. He recognized four years ago that the make-up of the commission did not reflect its diversity. He is working to make sure that the southern part of Gwinnett is no longer neglected. He wants to improve the infrastructure of the county with inclusion and innovation “through open source development, done in house, so it costs less and is the best use of funds.”
Commission District 4: Our choice for this post is current commissioner since 2018 Marlene Fosque, 59, of Lawrenceville, a Democrat. She is retired from Aetna and has been a consultant for two non -profits. She is running since she got interested in politics during the Obama campaign, and now feels “God prepared me to do it.” She recognizes transportation is a major question in Gwinnett, and says rail might not be the way, but Bus Rapid Transit might work, and seeks more information on this. She feels that “diversity is our strength, and inclusivity is our power.”
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
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