Letter to the editor

Dear Editor,

First, I would like to thank the Augusta Press for allowing its subscribers’ voices to be heard. The Augusta Press has, in effect, given the commonalty a voice. I am of the commonalty, and every letter I have written to the editor thus far, no matter how controversial my views may have been perceived, has been published.

With that said, there is a widely shared concept in politics referred to as the “power of incumbency.” This idea is based on the ability of officeholders’ up for re-election to commence their campaign lengths ahead of their challengers. Political incumbents tend to win often and by huge margins, largely due to their fundraising ability, which is one of the several advantages they enjoy. Other advantages include access to media, name recognition and the benefit of campaigning off receipts.

Yes, receipts. Which is exactly what several local political incumbents have been holding on to. And rightly so. 

The first being Augusta Judicial Circuit District Attorney Jared Williams who, during his time in office, raised jury trial convictions from 48% in 2019 when his predecessor held office to 80% in 2022, roughly two years after assuming the role of Augusta Judicial Circuit District Attorney. That’s a 32% increase for those of us who support law and order. Operating off a theory of “what the youth sees is what they’ll be,” D.A. Williams and his staff have visited schools, read and talked to students, implemented a Youth Diversion to the Arts program and Checks over Stripes initiative; he’s also led the largest restructure in the DA’s Office by creating the Violent Crimes and Gangs and Special Victims units.

Next is District 1 Commissioner Jordan Johnson who, up until March 2024 had virtually no challengers. Now he has at least four candidates vying to unseat him. But, the commissioner has a strong track record. He has all the receipts necessary to cash in for a hefty payday: 1) 432 blighted properties demolished, 2) 490 affordable housing units opened, 3) 47,938 ditches cleared, 4) 20 roads paved, 5) 4,984 code enforcement cases closed, 6) 3,000+ vacant lots cut, 7) 1,367,500 small business grants, 8) 4,216 potholes repaired, 9) 210,580 meals to seniors, and a number of other achievements. Numbers do not lie. Commissioner Johnson has been putting in the work, and he undoubtedly deserves re-election. 

Sheriff Richard Roundtree has been facing a ton of heat due to jail overcrowding and loss of morale among his ranks. These are factors that are out of the sheriff’s control and will occur no matter who is at the helm of the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Roundtree has handled each incident with an unyieldingly firm hand. He has adequately held every deputy accountable for their actions. I spent 38 months in Charles B. Webster Detention Center (from March 2020-May 2023) and therefore have firsthand knowledge of how swiftly the sheriff reacted to incidents concerning his staff. I have seen several officers go from RCSO uniform to CBWDC jumpsuit very quickly. As for jail overcrowding, there are a number of factors to tie into why overcrowding may occur. Instead of using jail overcrowding as a political talking point, how about we reach out to the General Assembly in Atlanta and advocate for cash bail reform. Most of the CBWDC inmates are financially-challenged. They lack the finances to secure their release. Please do not be hoodwinked. The sheriff is doing a decent job.

I had the pleasure of attending the April 27 candidate forum at A.R. Johnson where District 129 Representative Karlton Howard reminded everyone why he is and should remain the state Rep. for District 129. I find it odd that his challenger opted not to show up, citing scheduling conflicts. As a paralegal-studies-turned-journalism-student, I have had the pleasure of being exposed to several political tactics employed by political candidates. Did Howard’s challenger really have a scheduling conflict or did he feel it was unnecessary to show up to the forum? Either way, Karlton Howard showed up and spoke to the people, and the people should re-elect him.

Super District 9 Commissioner, and Lucy C. Laney hall of fame inductee, Francine Scott’s record speaks for itself. She has done so much for the community that April 2 has officially been named Francine Scott Day. Commissioner Scott is easily accessible and friendly. She is easy to communicate with, which are all attributes of a “people’s commissioner.” Re-electing Scott is a no brainer.

Now, there are times when change is necessary, and this is the year our U.S. 12th Congressional District should be represented by a new face: that of Daniel Jackson, a military veteran willing to travel in the most distressed areas of District 12 and listen to the voices of those communities. As I have previously stated. if one was to travel into low-income areas throughout the 12th district, most of the residents have no idea who represents this U.S. congressional district. But they know Daniel Jackson, who I also had the pleasure of speaking with, and who believes leaders in Atlanta and D.C. should work with our local leaders in getting the right resources into our communities to change the current norms; that “something must be done soon to either get the cost of living down or raise wages,” recognizing that some of “our most important jobs in the community (ex. first responders) are having to get additional jobs because their pay in a normal 40 hour work week will not sustain their households;” and that political climate in our country has become extremely divisive, which concerns him. He fears that this “division could ultimately lead to the downfall of our nation” (let us be reminded that our current congressman voted to overturn the 2020 presidential election).  “These are tough times in America and we are dealing with a lot of difficult situations across  the globe.  We need all Americans, regardless of party, to start working together to bring solutions to the American people.  We need knowledgeable people in government that understand the complexities of our national defense.  Reform of our healthcare, education, and criminal justice systems will be key to ensure that we are able to meet our country’s needs in the future.”

The 2024 election cycle is extremely crucial to the preservation of democracy, and we must not allow our democratic values to be jettisoned in favor of policies that will only benefit a few. This is the year that our voting actions will be remembered throughout history as either the catalyst that led to the downfall of democracy in America or the will that kept democracy alive. Early voting has opened. Vote your conscience. Locally, let the power of incumbency prevail, but know that the U.S. District 12 Congressional District needs a representative that EVERY resident of the district can speak to, that we all know, and that that representative needs to be Daniel Jackson.

Lawrence Anthony Brannen

Founder/President of Ex-Offenders for Reform & Advancement Inc.