Gwinnett Daily Post

State Senate

District 5

Sen. Curt Thompson, D-Tucker

Age: 44

Education: American University; Georgia State Law School

Occupation: Lawyer

Legislative priorities: My legislative priorities include fighting continued cuts to education and our schools, finding a way to modernize our transportation infrastructure after the T-SPLOST, and ensuring the renewability of the HOPE Scholarship program.

Leadership position: Chairman of Special Judiciary Committee

Favorite leader: John F. Kennedy

---

District 9

Sen. Don Balfour, R-Snellville

Age: 55

Education: Waffle House executive

Occupation: Bachelor's degree in accounting from Bob Jones University

Legislative priorities: Economic development/jobs; education, both for Gwinnett County Public Schools and the local technical college and university

Leadership position: Outgoing Rules Chairman

Favorite leader: Abraham Lincoln

---

District 40

Sen. Fran Millar, R-Dunwoody

Age:

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Economics

Occupation: Insurance Broker

Legislative priorities: Implement final recommendations from Education Funding Commission. Evaluate our long term liabilities from state pension plans and review student scholarship program to increase transparency. Help begin work on Plan B for transportation -- see Georgia Public Policy Foundation website for details.

Leadership position: Not sure. Currently Chair of Education and Vice Chair of Retirement

Favorite Leader: George H.W. Bush for what he gave to our country over his lifetime -- a devoted public servant.

---

District 41

Steve Henson, D-Tucker

Age: 53

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Economics from The University of Georgia

Occupation: Human Resource Development

Legislative priorities: Dealing with the budget shortfall in ways that protect education and our fragile economy. Passing strong ethics legislation.

Leadership position: Senate Minority Leader

Favorite leader: Former Lt. Gov. Pierre Howard. Pierre was always well informed on the issues and tried to be a true public servant. He always worked in an open, honest and bipartisan way to improve our state.

---

District 45

Sen. David Shafer, R-Duluth

Age:

Education:

Occupation:

Legislative priorities: We need to keep our budget in balance, recognizing that every dollar we spend was first earned by someone else. We have to do everything we can to get our economy growing again. We need to foster a culture in which businesses are confident enough to expand.

Leadership position: Incoming president pro tem

Favorite leader: My grandmother Shafer was always a heroic figure to me. She was widowed at a young age and raised seven children, including my Dad, on her own -- without all the safety net programs of today. She was eternally optimistic, a role model for anyone facing hardship.

---

District 48

Sen. Renee Unterman, R-Buford

Age: 58

Education: Berkmar High School; Georgia State University; The University of Georgia

Occupation: Insurance executive; Health and human services chairman

Legislative priorities: The majority of my time in the 2013 General Assembly session will be focused on appropriations, balancing the state budget. Three years into the recession, additional cuts will be necessary. New legislation will be kept minimal due to budget constraints and limiting the growth of government. Health care will remain a dominate issue, as well as Federal Mandates. We will welcome approximently 70 new legislators with two years or less experience.

Leadership position: Committee on Assignments

Favorite leader: Margaret Thatcher, former prime minister of United Kingdom.

---

District 55

Sen. Gloria Butler, D-Stone Mountain

Age: 71

Education: Associate Degree in Business Administration

Occupation: UnemployedLegislative priorities: Focus on those issues that are important to Senate District 55 and the state of Georgia such as; Education, fully funding QBE, keeping jobs in Georgia, restoring early voting to its original time frame, ethics, and the economy.

Leadership position: Vice Chair of Fundraising; Vice Chair of Georgia Legislative Black Caucus; Chair of Region 6, National Black Caucus of State Legislators, includes Georgia and Florida.

Favorite leader: President Barack Obama, for his focus and stance on the middle class.

---

State House

District 81

Rep. Scott Holcomb, D-Atlanta

Age: 40

Education: Bachelor's Degree from The University of Connecticut; Juris Doctor Degree from West Virginia University; Master's Degree from The University of Georgia (expected 2013)

Occupation: Attorney

Legislative priorities: My main priority is to promote Georgia's competitiveness. I will support funding to deepen the Port of Savannah, which I view as critical to Georgia's economic future. I will oppose any further cuts to public education. And I will file legislation to permit the creation of B Corporations in Georgia.

Leadership position: Minority Caucus Chief Deputy Whip

Favorite leader: Harry Truman

---

District 93

Rep. Dar'Shun Kendrick, D-Lithonia

Age:

Education: Oglethorpe University

Occupation: Business attorney

Legislative priorities:

Leadership position: Secretary (Appointed), DeKalb House Delegation

Favorite leader: Woodrow Wilson, "You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand."

---

District 94

Rep. Karen Bennett, D-Stone Mountain

Did not respond

---

District 95

Rep. Tom Rice, R-Peachtree Corners

Age: 72

Education: Bachelor of Science Degree from Temple University

Occupation: Retired from IBM and my own IT business

Legislative priorities: Improve GA driving laws as result of Chairing Title 40 (MV) Study Committee

Leadership position: Chairman, House Motor Vehicles Committee, Member -- Rules Committee

Favorite leader:

---

District 96

Rep. Pedro Marin, D-Duluth

Age: 54

Education: Some College

Occupation: Business Consultant

Legislative priorities: I want to continue building upon my 10 year legislative record of supporting public policy that improves the lives of Georgians, reflects our ideals as a civil society, and respects the diversity that now represents our state. We need to work on improving academic performance and job readiness, identifying opportunities to address transportation gridlock, rebuilding our infrastructure, preventing more families from losing their homes and expanding accessibility to affordable health care coverage.

Leadership position: Vice-Chair Georgia Working Families Legislative Caucus; Vice-Chair Democratic Party of Georgia

Favorite leader: My favorite leader is my Scoutmaster Charlie, as he liked to be called, for Troop 9 in Santurce, Puerto Rico back in the late '60s and early '70s. when I was growing up. I learned from Charlie the respect that I have for others and the ability to bring people together on issues of mutual importance, and the desire to serve with fidelity and humility.

---

District 97

Rep. Brooks Coleman, R-Duluth

Age: 73

Education: Bachelor's Degree from Mercer University; Master's Degree from The University of Georgia; Specialist Degree from The University of Georgia; Doctor of Philosophy Degree from Georgia State University

Occupation: Retired educator; motivational speaker

Legislative priorities: During the 2013 session we need to concentrate on public education (final legislation from the state education finance study committee) moving education closer to people and providing more flexibility to the schoools. We also need to encourage new industries and job opportunities for the state, develop a balanced budget, continue working on the Lake Lanier water concerns and find solutions for the metro Atlanta area's transportation problems.

Leadership position: Chairman of the House Education Committee

Favorite leader: J.W. Benefield, B.B Harris, Roy Rogers and my mother

---

District 98

Rep. Josh Clark, R-Buford

Age: 33

Education: Pursuing a Bachelor's Degree from Luther Rice UniversityOccupation: Owner of Josh Clark Realty & Property Management

Legislative priorities: I look forward to continuing my work on the Red Tape Watch Initiative that Speaker Ralston assigned to the Small Business & Job Creation Committee. Over this coming session we will continue to gather feedback and work with business owners to help remove unnecessary government regulation that hinder businesses ability to thrive and create jobs in our community.

Leadership position: Vice Chair of Gwinnett House Delegation. Serve on Health & Human Services, Small Business & Job Creation and Children & Youth Committee.

Favorite leader: Jesus Christ. I love his words, "For the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve and to offer his life a ransom for many". While I fail more often than not I find his example of servant leadership to be one worthy of spending a life time aspiring to.

---

District 99

Rep. Hugh Floyd, D-Norcross

Age: 71

Education: some college

Occupation: Retired from Sales

Legislative Priorities: We should ensure that every budget dollar is used to meet our core obligations and to leverage federal dollars, instead of benefiting special interests. We must protect the economic security of Georgia's families, provide quality public education for our students and fix government so that it works for all.

Leadership Position: Member of Superintendent's Council, Gwinnett County Public Schools

Favorite Leader: Gwinnett County Board of Education member Louise Radloff. Not only has Louise devoted more than 40 years to the excellence of our schools as an elected school board member, she has also directed programs teaching civics and English to the immigrant population through Interlocking Communities. She has also chaired and continues to serve the Gwinnett County Board of Health, the View Point Board (GRN Community Service Board) and the Graffiti Community of Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful. Simply put, if something good is going on for Gwinnett children and families, more than likely, Louise Radloff is involved in its leadership.

---

District 100

Rep. Brian Thomas, D-Lilburn

Age: 51

Education: Bachelor's Degree in History & Philosophy from Wofford College; Master's Degree in Anthropology from Wake Forest University; Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Anthropology from The State University of New York at Binghamton; Juris Doctor from Georgia State University (to be awarded this month)

Occupation: Archaeologist, working for an environmental consulting company

Legislative priorities: Work to strengthen our public education system, to include preventing public money from being siphoned away toward private schools; support efforts at increasing access to renewable energy for our citizens; supporting ethics reform legislation.

Leadership position: None

Favorite leader: Rep. Stacy Abrams, minority leader in the Georgia House. She's one of the sharpest, most capable people I've come to know in the world of politics.

---

District 101

Rep. Valerie Clark, R-Lawrenceville

Age:

Education: Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Psychology and Educational Leadership from The University of Georgia; Master's Degree in Special Education from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Bachelor of Science Degree in English Education from The State University of New York at Plattsburgh

Occupation: Retired Educator

Legislative Priorities: Promote free enterprise with less regulation and lower taxes, support preschool and K-12 education, support public safety with better pay and the best equipment, advocate for senior citizens, promote the welfare of Georgia Gwinnett College and Gwinnett Medical Center

Leadership Position: State Representative, Member of Education Committee, Vice Chairman Education Subcommittee, Health and Human Service Committee Member, Human Relations and Aging Committee Member, Lake Lanier Caucus Member - Addressing Issues of Lake and Surrounding Basin

Favorite Leader: A leader whom I most admire is Christa McAuliffe. I was a brand new principal and so proud of Duluth Middle School. I knew what Ms. McAuliffe had been through as a middle school teacher because I was part of the experience. Her courage and determination to be a member of the NASA Teacher In Space Program made her a hero. She was selected from more than 11,000 applicants. Ms. McAuliffe made all her students believe they could have an impact on the world. Often she told them that even though she had been chosen to go into space, she was an ordinary person. She emphasized the importance of ordinary people on history, saying they were as crucial to the historical record as kings and generals. We had a snow day on January 28 in 1986. I was alone in the school, glued to the television to watch the lift-off of a teacher in space. I was shocked and saddened beyond belief as the seven crew members of the Challenger lost their lives. Another "ordinary person" had an impact on history.

---

District 102

Rep. Buzz Brockway, R-Lawrenceville

Age: 46

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Management Science from Georgia Tech

Occupation: My wife and I sell products to the event planning industry.

Legislative priorities: The state budget is still very tight. We must continue to trim wasteful and unneeded spending and direct State agencies to focus on their core missions. We also must work hard at creating an environment where businesses can thrive and hire folks who are out of work.

Leadership position: I serve on the Governmental Affairs, Insurance, and Children & Youth Committees.

Favorite leader: I greatly respect William Wilberforce the 18th century member of Parliament. Through skill and God's favor Wilberforce led England to abolish the slave trade and emancipate the slaves. Wilberforce once said "We are too young to realize that certain things are impossible... So we will do them anyway."

---

District 103

Rep. Timothy Barr, R-Lawrenceville

Age: 32

Education:

Occupation: Small businessman

Legislative priorities: Tax reform, creating new jobs and growing our economy. We must identify barriers and unnecessary regulations that government puts on businesses. I think these things are the keys to economic growth and creating new jobs for Georgia families.

Leadership position:

Favorite leader:

---

District 104

Rep. Donna Sheldon, R-Dacula

Did not respond

---

District 105

Rep. Joyce Chandler, R-Grayson

Age: 72

Education: Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from The University of Georgia; Eucation Specialist Degree from Georgia State University; Master's Degree in School Counseling from AUburn University; Bachelor's Degree in English and Social Studies from Samford University

Occupation: Retired School Counselor and Teacher and Retired Executive Director of State Non-profit organizationLegislative priorities: My priorities for the upcoming legislative session are ethics reform, education funding to include lowering pupil-teacher and pupil-counselor ratios and economic recovery. Recognizing that parents are the appropriate ones to determine the most effective way to educate their children, I believe that quality education for all of the children of Georgia and increased opportunities for jobs and economic recovery go hand in hand.

Leadership position: As a freshman legislator, I am unaware of my committee appointments at this time.

Favorite leader: I believe I would say that Ronald Reagan is my favorite leader. In my opinion, our State must begin working toward full funding again of education. Every possible opportunity for learning must be provided, and lowering pupil-teacher and pupil-counselor ratios are an essential component of funding. It is difficult for students to maximize their learning experiences in classrooms with 40 students and in situations where one counselor is responsible for overseeing the educational progress and career development of 500 plus students.

---

District 106

Rep. Brett Harrell, R-Snellville

Age: 51

Education: Bachelor's of Business Administration in Marketing / Finance from The University of Georgia

Occupation: Garbageman (Advanced Disposal Services)

Legislative priorities: I will work during the 2013 Session to prohibit billing non-tax fees on property tax bills, reduce abuse of prescription medications, protect private property rights, improve disclosure and transparency statutes, expand individual liberties under the Second Amendment, and defend against attempts to increase taxation, regulation and governmental burdens.Leadership position: I serve on the Information and Audits, Regulated Industries, and Transportation Committees. The Gwinnett House Delegation recently honored me by selecting me to serve as their Chair.

Favorite leader: Robert Woodruff, for his dedication to faith, family, business, and community

---

District 107

Rep. David Casas, R-Lilburn

Age: 41

Education: Bachelor's Degree from Georgia State University; Master of the Arts Degree and Master of Divinity Degree from Luther Rice Seminary

Occupation: University Administrator, Luther Rice Seminary

Legislative priorities: My legislative priorities this year are in the areas of education. First, I will continue my efforts to both preserve and expand school choice in Georgia. Along with that I will continue to seek ways to strengthen our current public school education, particularly in the areas of academic accreditation.

Leadership position: Vice Chairman of the Education Committee

Favorite leader: The Rev. Billy Graham - Rev. Billy Graham understands that the problems of this country are not ultimately solved with policy. They are matters of the heart. No human leader can solve America's problems, but I will strive to be a faithful steward of the office to which I have been elected.

---

District 108

Rep. B.J. Pak, R-Lilburn

Age: 39

Education: Juris Doctor from The University of Illinois; Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from Stetson University

Occupation: Attorney

Legislative priorities: Constituent services; assist in balancing the budget by identifying wasteful spending; creating and incentivizing more direct investment in Georgia by job creators; and strengthening the enforcement of ethics laws.

Leadership position: None currently in the General Assembly

Favorite leader: Ronald Reagan

---

District 114

Rep. Tom Kirby, R-Loganville

Age: 51

Education: BS University of Kentucky

Occupation: Human Resources EHS Consultant

Legislative priorities: Represent the people of District 114. Working on a bill to ban Human-animal hybrids. Will be vigilant in protecting the people's rights and liberties. Looking for ways to reduce government and reduce burdensome regulations

Leadership position:

Favorite leader: Thomas Jefferson

---

Barrow County

Senate District 47

Sen. Frank Ginn, R-Danielsville

Age: 50

Education: Bachelor's degree in ag engineering from UGA

Occupation: engineer

Legislative priorities: Making Georgia the best place in the world to live and work

Leadership position: None

Favorite leader: Our governor. He has worked very hard to move things forward, bring jobs and take on a challenge. He's about as hard-working a guy as I know.

---

House District 116

Rep. Terry England, R-Auburn

Age: 46

Education: some college

Occupation: Farmer/AgriBusinessman

Legislative priorities: Serve my constituents and create and pass a balanced budget for our state.

Leadership position: Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee

Favorite leader: I have several for various reasons - Thomas Jefferson, Robert E. Lee, U.S. Grant and Jesus Christ. All were great leaders at their time in history, Jefferson during the birth and first years of our Country. Lee and Grant at time that could have easily been the end of our Country, but yet both fought together after the War to heal the Nation. Jesus Christ leads us all to follow Him to salvation.House

---

District 117

Rep. Regina Quick, R-Athens

Age:

Education: Undergraduate degree from Auburn University; Law degree from UGA

Occupation: attorney

Legislative priorities: I hope to learn a lot about the process and I hope to be effective for my constituents. And I would like to pass at least one piece of legislation .... the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act.

Leadership position: none

Favorite leader: Teddy Roosevelt