Two career military personnel have joined the race for House District 131, bringing the number of candidates to four.
Retired Evans military intelligence officer Heather White and Grovetown former defense contractor David Byrne entered the contest in November and December to replace Evans medical business owner Jodi Lott.
Lott, a Republican, won the seat in 2015 held by Ben Harbin, Joey Brush and Martha Moore, all Republicans, since the 1980s. After a year and two terms that included time as Gov. Brian Kemp’s floor leader, Lott announced in September she would not seek a fifth two-year term.
Almost immediately well-known Republicans – tobacconist Russell Wilder and educator Paul Abbott – revealed campaigns for the seat.
Wilder worked at Plant Vogtle employee prior to opening Top Shelf Cigars in 2004. Abbott is a 22-year veteran of the Georgia National Guard and a retired educator and former Lowndes County Teacher of the Year.
White’s public profile says she was a military intelligence officer who retired from the service in 2022 after 20 years.
She’s a founder of the nonprofit Columbia County Advocates for Public Education Corp., an organization now headed by activist Ayman Fadel.
Byrne describes himself as a “pragmatic visionary” who graduated high school at age 15 then attained an engineering degree, served the Army National Guard then worked as a defense contractor.
“My way of thinking is deeply rooted in compassion, common sense, and a commitment to fostering a better society,” his website states. “I recognize that certain issues, like welfare, taxation and healthcare are inherently nuanced, and my perspectives are shaped by a desire to strike a balance between meeting people’s needs and promoting personal responsibility.”
Candidate qualifying for the House contest and all partisan primaries and nonpartisan races is March 4-9.
The Republicans and any contested Democrats will face off in the May 21 general primary. If none receive more than 50% of votes, a June 18 runoff will be held.
Susan McCord is a staff writer with The Augusta Press. Reach her at susan@theaugustapress.com
