By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
OCT. 11, 2024 | Since early voting begins next week, today GwinnettForum issues its endorsements for the November election.
In addition to the candidates seeking office, Gwinnett will also vote on a 30 year transit proposition. We will discuss why we think this referendum should pass in coming issues.
Today we’ll concentrate on the candidates for the various offices. Over the past few months, we have spoken to many candidates. If a local candidate has refused to meet with us, we will not support that candidacy.
In the past, GwinnettForum has produced extensive information on the many candidates. This year, we’ll use another method, a simplification of an endorsement, and come straight to the point with our endorsements.
The presidential race
In our view, the United States is at one of its most critical political times, mainly because of the bullying, braying and bad leadership of Donald Trump. He is one to sow discord, dissention and disruption instead of working with others for the common good. He tells lies. He brags. His tactics are always questionable. He is not fit for the presidency, and may not be healthy enough to work that office.
Contrast that with the candidacy of Kamala Harris. She works with people, constantly has a positive viewpoint, brings new enthusiasm and has real plans, not concepts, to show the American people. She, at age 59, brings new life to this presidential campaign. We feel that she will win the presidency, the first woman to do so, with an overwhelming majority of votes, and perhaps as much as 300 electoral votes.
Why? There seems to be two major elements, both downplayed, that will carry her to victory, issues that have not been deeply covered by the major media.
The first is the abortion question. In vote-after-vote since Roe v Wade has been overturned, those backing abortion have come out on top, even in states where there were Republican majorities. We feel the American woman recognizes the importance of this issue, and will vote in great majority for Ms. Harris.
Harris. File photo.
The second issue concerns the Old Guard of the Republican Party. They have seen Donald Trump engineer a takeover of their party, moving it far from the days it was a responsible and often-successful Grand Old Party. They are still solid Republicans, but without a formidable leader. We feel these Old Party regulars will either not vote for anyone for president, or vote for Ms. Harris. Either way, it can help propel her to victory.
We recognize our country is greatly divided on this race. We recognize that many believe strongly in Donald Trump. We do not. But we will spare you further argument.
We proudly support and endorse Kamala Harris to become the 47th president – and first woman – in United States history.
Gwinnett congressional races
Gwinnett is now part of four congressional districts. It is currently represented by two Democrats and two Republicans. They are:
- District 4: Henry (Hank) Johnson Jr., a Democrat.
- District 9: Andrew Clyde, a Republican.
- District 11: Mike Collins, a Republican.
- District 12: David Scott, a Democrat.
While we feel there are people in both parties who can adequately represent Gwinnett in the 119th Congress, which begins on January 3, 2025. However, to move the new president’s programs forward quickly, we urge Gwinnett voters to support all four Democratic candidates for the new Congress, so that our choice of Kamala Harris can govern with a supportive House of Representatives.
Therefore, we endorse these four Democratic congressional candidates:
- District 4: Henry (Hank) Johnson Jr.
- District 9: Tambrei Cash.
- District 11: Alexandria (Lexy) Doherty.
- District 12: David Scott.
Gwinnett constitutional officers and commissioners
Two of the four Gwinnett constitutional officers have no opposition. They are the district attorney and clerk of Superior Court.
Mitchell
Taylor
In the race for sheriff, we have no decision to make, since Republican candidate Mike Baker would not meet with GwinnettForum. We, therefore, are pleased to support Sheriff Keybo Taylor for another term.
In the race for Gwinnett Tax Commissioner, we have watched the current Tax Commissioner, Denise Mitchell, perform her office in an admirable way. We then endorse her continuation in this office.
Six people seek three seats on the Gwinnett County Commission. We have met with all of them.
Hendrickson
For chairman: The current commission is working smoothly and moving the county forward in many ways. Viewing activities in other Metro counties, where we have seen many problems and incidents of disharmony, we are proud of the conduct and forward-thinking of the commission on most of its deliberations. We also have been pleased with the direction and demeanor of the commission led by its chairman. For all this, we endorse the candidacy of Nicole Love Hendrickson for another term as chairman.
Le
District 1: Gwinnett is lucky in this race, in that there are two outstanding candidates for this office. Either will serve well if elected. In a county as diverse as Gwinnett, we are pleased to see minorities serving in many capacities. This race is between current commissioner Kirkland Carden of Duluth, who is black, and Tim Le, of Peachtree Corners, a Vietnam businessman and immigrant. While Mr. Carden has served well, in the spirit of a more diverse county commission, we endorse the candidacy of Tim Le.
Watkins
District 3: This area of Gwinnett has been served for the last three years by retired Army Lt. Col. Jasper Watkins of Snellville. He is being opposed by Bobby Howard. We feel that Jasper Watkins can continue to serve the county with distinction and character, so therefore we endorse his candidacy.
For state Senate
There are nine state Senate districts in Gwinnett County, with two senators having no opposition. They are Tonya P. Anderson and Clint Dixon.
7: Islam Parkes
5: Rahman
District 5: Our choice for this position is veteran legislator Sen. Sheikh Rahman. He is the first Muslim and Asian-American legislator in state history, and has served since 2019.
District 7: Nabilah Islam Parkes is completing her first term with distinction. She is noted for her work in health care and voting rights. We endorse her candidacy.
40: Harrell
9: Merritt
District 9: Another first termer is Nikki Merritt, who has lived in Gwinnett for 22 years. She champions fairness and equity for all. We endorse her candidacy for election.
District 40: A long time veteran of the Statehouse, you can count on Sally Harrell to have her ideas put into practice. We endorse her candidacy.
District 46: We make no choice in this race.
55: Benefield
48: Ramaswami
District 48: It was refreshing to meet new candidate Ashwin Ramaswami, a graduate of Stanford with a law degree from Georgetown. He can serve well, and we endorse him over Shawn Still for this office.
District 55: Another first time candidate for the Senate is Mary Williams Benefield. An accountant, she feels our country is way off course and wants to return to more sane ways. We endorse the candidacy of Mary Williams Benefield.
For the Georgia House of Representatives
Gwinnett has 21 seats, in whole or part, in the Georgia House of Representatives. Ten candidates in the 21 races have no opposition and will be members of the upcoming session for 2025-26. These representatives are incumbents Doreen Carter, Karen Bennett, Dar’shun Kendrick, Marvin Lim, Gabe Okoye, Chuck Efstration, Shelly Hutchison, Dewey McClain and Bruce Williamson. A newcomer to the legislature will be former Norcross City Councilwoman Arlene Beckles, who won her primary race and has no General Election opponent.
Here are GwinnettForum’s endorsements for the remain House seats.
District 30: Neither candidate met with GwinnettForum. We make no endorsement.
97: Romman
48: Hilton
District 48: We are pleased to endorse Incumbent Scott Hilton of Peachtree Corners, a former banker and now a financial consultant. He has consistently pushed for good causes for the area.
District 88: Neither candidate met with GwinnettForum. We make no endorsement.
District 97: Ruwa Romman of Duluth served for the first time in the recent Legislature. She is astute, straight-thinking and is our choice to fill this seat. She seeks to do the right thing herself, rather than trying to convince some other person to do it.
103: Luchey
99: Reeves
District 99: We were impressed with the speed by which newcomer Matt Reeves, an attorney of Duluth, became a key person in getting items passed in the last session. He has become the legislator to go to and deserves re-election. We endorse his candidacy.
District 100: Neither candidate met with GwinnettForum. We make no endorsement.
District 103: One of the candidates in this race was one of the most impressive people we saw during this election cycle. He is Chris Luchey of Flowery Branch, a newcomer to politics, and a sports agent. He seeks to bring a bi-partisan approach to leadership, by working with people on both sides of the aisle.
107: Park
105: Mughal
District 105: Now completing his first term in the Legislature is Farooq Mughal of Dacula, who is in a public affairs company with clients around the state. Working across the aisle, he co-sponsored 10 bills signed by the governor last session. We endorse his candidacy.
District 107: Our choice in this race is veteran legislator Sam Park of Norcross, who has shown foresight and inclusiveness while a member of the House. As minority whip of the Georgia House Democratic Caucus, he fought bad legislation, such as efforts to loosen gun safety laws and undermine the right to vote. We heartily seek to get him re-elected.
108: Clark
District 108: Gwinnett is lucky here, having two good candidates seeking this office from the Lilburn area. Both could serve well. Jasmine Clark has served three terms in the House since 2018. Elvia Davila is seeking office for the first time. Ms. Davila wants better legislation to take on rogue district attorneys to deliver justice to families. Because of her bringing a scientific background to the House, and her solid service in the past, we endorse Jasmine Clark for this position.
District 110: Neither candidate met with GwinnettForum. We make no endorsement.
111: Jackson
District 111. We’ve talked with Scott Jackson of Loganville, a newcomer to politics, and like his approach to government. He stresses the need for a landscape of transparency in government, and works with people with disabilities. We are pleased to endorse his candidacy.
District 112: Neither candidate met with GwinnettForum. We make no endorsement.
We commend these candidates that we have endorsed to our readers.
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