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Richmond County candidates face some hotly contested elections this year, and that includes the race for mayor. Candidates are vying for County Commission, Board of Education, various judicial offices and even the Georgia senate in the May 24 Richmond County primary elections. Candidates took time this week to respond to The Augusta Press’s questions about their ambitions and qualifications for the offices they seek.
A handful did not respond to attempts to contact them or did provide information, in some cases because they’re running unopposed.
Early voting begins Monday, May 2. The primary itself is May 24.
Augusta/Richmond County Mayor
Candidate: Charlie Hannah
Age, hometown
54, Augusta, Ga.
Family
Single father of three; adoptive parent of one; and foster parent, of 19 years, to 53 boys and one girl.
Education
High school – ARC
Diploma in Electrical (Augusta Technical College)
Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies, National Paralegal College,
Master of Science in taxation law, National Juris University
Master of Science in Public Administration (in the last quarter, Columbia Southern University)
Work/professional experience
Owner, Augusta Paralegal, LLC
Percentage owner, Junior General Maintenance
Former owner, Master Maintenance Appliance Repairs
Why do you want to hold the office you are seeking office?
I want to be mayor because I believe that Augusta requires a who has been challenged, chiseled, and refined in the art of public service, someone who doesn’t need a long learning curve. I have the direct knowledge, experience and vision to be an effective mayor because of my experiences in life, business, and as the current school board president. Each day I must answer to the taxpayers when I address the issues about our 30,000 students, 4,400 education employees and millions in taxpayers’ dollars. I am uniquely knowledgeable about how local government works with all stakeholders, and I am suited to be a central point of resolving issues with the commission as I am tasked daily with on the school board. Primarily, I am running because I love my city, and there is no better honor than to serve Augusta in a higher capacity.
What changes would you like to see made to the office you’re seeking?
The empaneling of an ongoing Blue Ribbon Task Force to look at the department finances, operations and staffing to make bi-yearly recommendations.
Installing a liaison to work with the school board, non-profits and the business community on a regular basis.
Installing a liaison to work with stakeholders addressing the homelessness, housing and poverty issues.
More young and diverse people working with and for the office who I can empower to push my agenda and plan for a more vibrant Augusta.
What goals do you have now if you are successful in the election?
Expanding job training opportunities for dropouts and displaced workers.
Incentivize small and local contractors to revitalize old and challenged communities and to utilize trained Richmond County students on those projects during the summer and weekends.
Work with the commission to start using more of federal grants to build the local work force through a partnership with the school system, assist small local businesses to expand and improve in the South Augusta, Laney Walker, Harrisburg and East Augusta areas.
Gradually replace any public bus that’s older than 10 years, preferably with a total electric bus.
Keep the former and existing promises of an improved Broad Street
Make an improved and new multi-use civic center a reality.
Improve and expand our public recreation facilities and footprints.
Change the look and purpose of the riverfront to be more of a destination place.
What would you do, if anything, to make the office you seek accountable to the public?
I will build a working relationship with neighborhood leaders and meet with them quarterly, and I will develop a responsive team to help address specific citizen’s concerns in a timely manner.
MORE: Columbia County candidates offer insights into their bids for office
Candidate: A. K. Hasan
Age, hometown
66, Augusta
Family
Son and daughter-in-law Aqeel Jabir and Annie Lee Hasan; granddaughters Amelia, Kayla, and Nola; and brother Commissioner Ben Hasan
Education
Graduate of Lucy C. Laney High School
Graduate of Augusta Technical School
Graduate of Leadership Augusta
Licensed Georgia Realtor (1994)
Work/professional experience
Former Augusta city councilman
Member of SRS Citizens Advisory Board – current
Member of Richmond County Board of Education – current
Community founding partner of Richmond County Board of Education magnet schools (24 years old)
Youngest ever (26 years old), Richmond County Board of Education Member
First Black & youngest ever (27 years old), Richmond County Board of Education president
U. S. Marine, veteran
Author of the book “Gladiator Leaders Don’t Drink the Laced Drink”
Published poet, “MORE” and “Mothers Are Forever”
The Last Living Pioneer of the six Black leaders who led the way
Why do you want to hold the office you are seeking office?
Our local government was not built out and duly organized after consolidation. As a former city councilman of Augusta, I understand what must be done to clarify the roles of the commission, its mayor/chairman and the mayor of Augusta, the chief executive officer. Until these roles are made distinguishable and applicable as per the charter, our government will continue to languish another 25 and more years.
I am the only mayoral candidate who understands the importance of changing the name of Richmond County’s largest consolidated city from Augusta-Richmond County to Augusta for better branding and economic development. If brought out of the dark shadows of Augusta-Richmond County, the cities of Blythe and Hepzibah will prove quite attractive to people looking for a rural city lifestyle near a major urban city. I will lead the charge for consolidated “Augusta” to reclaim the role of Georgia’s second-largest city and recapture the millions of economic development dollars lost.
What changes would you like to see made to the office you’re seeking?
None! Our mayor should never be given the right or power to appoint the commission’s committee members, a vote on committee agenda items or veto acts made by the commission. As the mayor/chairman of the commission with a tie-breaking vote, and the chief executive officer of the government, the mayor has sufficient powers to fulfill all of the duties the commission’s charter assigns to the office of mayor.
What goals do you have now if you are successful in the election?
Mayor’s Pardon Certifications – The A. K. Hasan Mayor, Game Changer Administration raises the following questions: Is Augusta-Richmond County Commission a government that believes in forgiveness when an offender has paid their debt to society? Is Augusta-Richmond County vested in the high principle of rehabilitating offenders or steeped in the unsavory business of penalizing offenders permanently to grow its jail and prison populations? We must revise or repeal ordinances that historically profiled Blacks, poor and middle-class Whites and people without political connections.
Augusta-Richmond County must divest from the business of making its residents’ systemic slaves. Cash bonds are often excessive. The government is perpetual. Our county has a high poverty rate, reasonable payment plan options should be instituted for violators of most local ordinances. We must enable incidental and minor offenders of local ordinances to rebuild their lives, enter our growing workforce and become productive citizens.
What would you do, if anything, to make the office you seek accountable to the public?
Mayor’s Sunshine Operation – The A. K. Hasan Mayor, Game Changer Administration will operate in the open to an extent that is greater than what is required by The Sunshine Law and the Open Records Act with the following:
Mayor’s Open House (Monthly the first year, and quarterly thereafter), Mayor’s Meet and Greet (Weekly), Mayor For A Day (Quarterly), and once a month, I will open my mayoral staff meeting to the media. I believe the media plays an essential role in linking communications and information between the government and its people.
When my administration determines a document is not protected under the open records act, the document shall be uploaded to a portal that the media can access for copy, print or download.
Most importantly, I believe the public has a right to know what its government is up to.
Candidate: Robert Ingham
Age, hometown
75 years young, originally from New Orleans. Lived in Augusta 80 percent of my life, increasing by the day.
Family
Bobby II 49 years old born in Augusta; wife passed away 2012
Education
Graduate of Georgia P Butler High School, 1966
Associate Degree, Application of Science, Electronics and Communications, Augusta Technical College with half the 5,000 hours in business
Work/professional experience
Half century in tax preparation and public accounting
24 years in the Army and Army reserves, each twice
Insurance and real estate.
Home inspections related to real estate and all of it related to tax preparation.
Appointment to transportation committee by a commissioner
Why do you want to hold the office you are seeking office?
It was love of community that led me to service in a special area-related military service in the military in a civil affairs capacity.
What changes would you like to see made to the office you’re seeking?
Better relations and cohesion of various large ethnic races to accomplish goals: lock & dam, Regency Mall and doing away with rest of the abandoned house.
Promoting Augusta’s wealth of businesses to surrounding communities and the list goes on as a good will ambassador of Augusta.
What goals do you have now if you are successful in the election?
Find out what Mayor Hardy Davis’s programs such as the demolitions of abandon houses, etc.
What would you do, if anything, to make the office you seek accountable to the public?
As above, allow interested organizations to have input where the financing is going, county commissioners would have the vote but the mayor, through interested citizens and organizations, would influence it. Use of the multimedia and community meetings, appointments of interested citizens to committee.
Candidate: Garnett Johnson
Age, hometown
53, Augusta, Ga.
Family
Wife, Toni Seals-Johnson; Daughters Kaitlin Johnson and Lauren Johnson
Education
George P. Butler High School Class of 1987
Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in business management, Augusta University Class of 1998
Work/professional experience
Proud local business owner. President and owner of Augusta Office Solutions, a company founded in 2010. My business has grown organically and through acquisitions, the most recent being Modern Business Solutions in 2020 and Weinberger’s Office Supply in 2019.
Why do you want to hold the office you are seeking office?
My campaign is focused on a conversation no other candidate is having: “Who’s on the side of the taxpayer?” Too many neighborhoods in Augusta have been left behind. As mayor, I will prioritize bringing infrastructure to all parts of the city, with a focus on underserved and underrepresented parts of Augusta. Six months ago, I stood on the corner of Tobacco and Windsor Spring Roads and announced my candidacy for mayor by making a promise: “Come back and look at this old, forgotten building in six months. The change will be a taste of the action you’ll see from me as Mayor of Augusta.” Since October of 2021, I have worked to renovate an empty fast-food restaurant and turn it into a community-driven access point to local government for people living on the south side. I have a track record that focuses on doing instead of talking. Augusta’s next mayor needs to be accountable to the taxpayer. I will do just that.
What changes would you like to see made to the office you’re seeking?
I’m going to go on the record and say that I will not need a $500,000 budget to run the Mayor’s Office. One of the first things I’m going to do is turn in the county gas card, turn in the county vehicle and I’m going to pay for my own travel. I want to focus resources on informing taxpayers on city initiatives and issues to increase communication and collaboration.
What goals do you have now if you are successful in the election?
I want to ensure the services provided to our residents are effective and productive by conducting an organizational and efficiency review. I also want to clean this city up. I will lead from the front by engaging a city-wide cleanup campaign.
What would you do, if anything, to make the office you seek accountable to the public?
As a small business owner, I am responsible for the overall profitability of my company. As mayor, I will take those same principles to improve how we spend our tax dollars. I believe there needs to be transparency and accountability with tax dollars. We should try to provide monthly budget, revenue, and spending reports in forums, town halls, and online. All citizens of Augusta should be able to see how much the city is taking in and how and where it’s going. This just continues to emphasize my message “who’s on the side of the taxpayers?”
Candidate: Lucas V. Johnson
Age, hometown
29, Augusta
Family
Wife, Rebecca; son, Reagan; dog, Baylor
Education
Bachelor of Business Administration, Augusta University
Work/professional experience
Inside Sales Representative/CSR- Hoover Treated Wood Products, Inc. 2017-2021
Manager of licensee sales and technical services-Hoover Treated Wood Products, Inc.-2021
CSR-Thermal Ceramics, Inc.- 2021-Current
Why do you want to hold the office you are seeking office?
I am running for mayor because I feel that over the past few years that we (all Augustans) do not receive the representation that we deserve and, in my opinion, city government works for some, but not all. I know I am not alone in the way I feel, and there is no better time than the present to get out there and work to make a positive difference.
What changes would you like to see made to the office you’re seeking?
I aim to bring a sense of trust back to the Mayor’s Office by being accessible and transparent. The mayor should be an office of the people and not self-serving. I will decline a city vehicle, eliminate any excess expenditures and listen to the experts and my constituents.
What goals do you have now if you are successful in the election?
My goal is to be an advocate for Augusta and not an advocate for myself and my political future. There are many areas of town that have been neglected, and I aim to bring attention to all corners of the city. I will push for a full forensic audit of every department as well as a comprehensive report of every department to find out where we excel, where we are falling behind and what we can do to fix it. I hope to be able to gain a positive relationship with each commissioner and all departmental leaders to nourish economic and population growth to a safe city with a government that works.
What would you do, if anything, to make the office you seek accountable to the public?
I would offer to open up the books and activities for full viewing to the public and have the office audited periodically, even if that means paying for it out of the mayor’s budget and not the general fund; put in place an easier way for Augustans to reach out to me (if elected) and the commission regarding concerns within their community with parameters that myself and/or the commissioner for their district will respond in a reasonable amount of time with regard to direction to information, proper department to contact or an agenda item if needed to address the problem/concern/comment.
Candidate: Stephen Kendrick
Age, hometown
53, Augusta, Georgia
Family
Wife, Pamela Butler Kendrick; Six children ranging in age from 35 to 20
Education
Richmond County Public Schools: A. Brian Merry; Forest Hills: Tutt Junior High: and Westside High (Class of 1986)
Bachelor of Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude, Florida A&M University
Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA), Florida A&M University
Work/professional experience
Richmond County Tax Commissioner – 2009 to 2013
Augusta Blueprint/Creative Colors – Vice President – 1993 til 2009
Novartis/Roche/Ciba-Geigy Pharmaceuticals – Sales – 1993 til 2002
Hallmark Cards – Corporate Management – 1991-1993
Chairman of the Augusta Economic Development Authority
Chairman of Youth Leadership Augusta
Chairman of Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta
Chairman of E3 Leadership Foundation, Inc.
Real Estate Agent, Broker and Licensed Instructor – Blanchard and Calhoun
Augusta University/Paine College – Adjunct Business Faculty
Why do you want to hold the office you are seeking office?
I believe that Augusta is at an important juncture in her history where the decisions that are made for the next several years will chart our course for the next few decades. Experience and qualifications matter when selecting leadership and I know that I can provide the right balance of experience, leadership, and vision to form a firm foundation for Augusta’s future.
What changes would you like to see made to the office you’re seeking?
I would like to see more coordination and alignment of the Mayor’s Office and the Administrator’s office so that residents, prospective businesses, and others who engage with government are satisfied with the responsiveness and attention to their issues by people in the organization that work collaboratively on resident concerns. I also would like to see the mayor have a more shared authority with the commission on issues that come before the body regularly.
What goals do you have now if you are successful in the election?
My first goal is to look to restore confidence in government by promoting a few key initiatives. First, I would like to work on teambuilding with the commission and mayor so that the governing authority can offer residents a professional, transparent, and efficient government. Second, I would look to do an operational audit of all departments to assess if we are “right sized” in each department and facilitate the movement or elimination of positions to areas that are more in need of additional personnel or a possible elimination if not needed. Lastly, I would like to see our employees in management offered more opportunities for training to improve their competence in management and HR related issues.
What would you do, if anything, to make the office you seek accountable to the public?
Open and frequent dialogue with residents is important way to ensure accountability. Being accessible through town hall meetings and other resident friendly environments begins to promote a positive dialogue about what taxpayers are truly concerned about. I would also like to consider Commission meeting times that are more convenient for public input. Lastly, more informative, direct communications with the public through social media and the city website would allow a consistent review of what is going on for those who are not able to attend townhalls and commission meetings.
Candidates Lori Myers, Marion Williams and Donald Bradshaw did not respond to requests for profile information.
Richmond County Commission District 2
Candidate Cleveland Garrison
Age, hometown
75, born in Valdosta. Been in Augusta since 1981
Family
Married 38 years to Hattie Riley Garrison, four children
Education
Attended Andersonville Theological Seminary, Camilla, GA
Work/Profession
Founder/Owner, A-1 Ironworks (since 1987)
Received CSRA Business League’s Trailblazer of Year Award
Retired U.S. Air Force
In ministry 55 years, Founder/Overseer of Kingdom Full Gospel Church since 1999. Bishop with Miracle of Christ Ministries, Inc.
Why do you want to hold the office you are seeking office?
As RC’s District 2 Commissioner, I will be part of the driving
force that brings about change and ecomonic growth especially in District 2. I will be a voice and an instrument for the people. I will be transparent, reliable and accessible.
Candidate: Stacy Pulliam
Age, hometown
43, Lynchburg, Va.
Family
Husband James Pulliam, eight children and two dogs
Education
High school graduate
Master Cosmetology Degree, Augusta Technical College
Real Estate License
Work/professional experience
Customer Service – SouthTrust Bank 2 years
Marketing Associate- Bellsouth- approx 10 years
Owner of DyeVerCity Salon – 10 Years
Owner of Stacy Pulliam Properties LLC., Brokered by eXp Realty – 3 Years
Why do you want to hold the office you are seeking office?
I want to be a voice for my constituents. I want to represent District 2 in areas that need
immediate attention. Our current transit system needs to be more reliable for individuals who depend on it to get to work, grocery stores, medical appointments and to other places where they need, or just might have a desire, to go. The blighted eye sores in our areas have to be addressed. We need to listen, be receptive, and join forces with entities such as the Land Bank Authority, even if not exclusively, as they actively try to find solutions to renovate blighted properties in District 2.
There are a multitude of issues that plague District 2. With my extensive background in business management and development, negotiation and real estate, I have acquired the skill sets to listen, seek professional counsel in various subject matters, study the facts that are presented, come to sound conclusions and make decisions that are in the best interest of District 2 as a whole.
What changes would you like to see made to the office you’re seeking?
I would like to see changes in ways of being proactive regarding the preparedness in our population growth. I would like to see the commission support the mayor as he or she seeks to increase more business opportunities that will help bring revenue into our city, and, in turn, create more resources to help support our present and growing population, school system, police and fire services, health services, libraries, road maintenance and other programs and projects that benefit the community at large.
The commission should continue to explore and act on opportunities that allow the city to lend money to viable projects that are forecasted to have a profitable return on investment (ROI).
What goals do you have now if you are successful in the election?
Transportation improvements-Being sure that we use allocated funds to increase the number of buses in our fleet and frequency of routes.
Blight reduction- Working with code enforcement to enforce the redevelopment area and blighted properties ordinance approved by the Commission last year.
Infrastructure- Continue to address and fix the flooding and sewage issues. Improve the worn down streets and potholes. Advocate for speed bumps throughout our neighborhoods so my constituents aren’t fearful for their children and themselves to cross the street. Ensure that the funds Senator Osoff allocated are put to use in the most needed areas within District 2.
Veterans and Homeless-I will work alongside the current commission to see our veterans and homeless get the attention they need in way of housing, mental healthcare, and job readiness. There are great blueprints in place as we look at Savannah’s coveted “Coves at Dundee,” where they are projected to have 72 tiny homes for veterans at project completion. This initiative was a collaborative effort of volunteers, nonprofits and small businesses working together to ensure that their efforts were in alignment with the new ordinances as set forth by their city government. Incidentally, right in our backyard, Aiken is working on building a tiny home community for their homeless population in conjunction with the Aiken County Homeless Coalition (ACHC), which represents a group of providers and various organizations. The ACHC will potentially connect their newly housed community to service providers that will fill in the gaps of continuum care.
Parks and green spaces- Create a development plan around parks that is designed to generate tax revenue, both residential and commercial development attracted to the maintained amenities and sales taxes from products and services supported by the new patrons to the area. This will lend way to making the park self-sustainable, or at least reduce the burden for maintenance. Augusta is a great mix of suburbs, city and agriculture. Natural amenities such as our parks will subsequently attract families and individuals.
An article published by the American Planning Association stated that in “Atlanta: after Centennial Olympic Park was built, adjacent condominium prices rose from $115 to $250 a square foot. As noted on the Centennial Olympic Park website, ‘Thousands of people who have made the move to downtown Atlanta have chosen Centennial Olympic Park as their front yard,’” (www.centennialpark.com). Housing and small retail will undoubtedly increase as our city looks to include the parks as major attractions in our city.
What would you do, if anything, to make the office you seek accountable to the public?
I will hold myself accountable to always speak out and voice my constituents’ concerns. District 2 needs to be seen, and our needs must be heard and addressed. I will represent our common concerns, and I also want to represent and fight for the concerns that may be unique to very specific groups. Every single voice matters! The whole of District 2, everyone, deserves to be heard. If elected as District 2 Commissioner, I am pledging the following to you:
● Hear and amplify your voice where it counts most
● Always keep you informed of rucial information
● Passionately fight for your causes
None of the other candidates for the Richmond County District 2 seat responded to phone calls or emails asking them to submit candidate profile information. Those candidates include Charles Cummings, Cleveland Garrison, Ralph Gunter or Von Pouncey.
Richmond County Commission District 4
Candidate: Alvin Duane Mason
Age, hometown
59, Lansing Mich.
Family
Hazel Sturdivant (mother), Marquesia (daughter), Duane (son), Makayla, Brianna and Brielle (granddaughters)
Education
M.Ed. Troy University
Masters Certification, Contract Management Operations, George Washington University Certified County Commissioner
Work/professional experience
35 years of honorable service in the Department of Defense to include 20 years of active duty Army (retired) and 15 years at the Cyber Center of Excellence Fort Gordon.
Why do you want to hold the office you are seeking office?
I want to continue to ensure that Augusta Richmond County has the best representation possible on the Commission in order to continue to grow
Augusta. During my previous stint, we completed over $350 million in infrastructure projects, and over $400 million in capital projects, and to continue to represent my brothers and sisters in arms at Fort Gordon and our heavily saturated military community.
What changes would you like to see made to the office you’re seeking?
I would like to see the commission become full time positions with offices so that we can conduct business properly, and citizens will have an opportunity to meet with us face-to -ace to discuss the issues which enhances accountability.
What goals do you have now if you are successful in the election?
For District 4 specifically, we need additional commercial and retail growth to include sit down restaurants, hotels and entertainment venues. Diamond Lakes Regional Park is a prime area for growth, to include an amphitheater and a waterpark. This would increase the tax base for all of Augusta and bring in much needed revenue.
What would you do, if anything, to make the office you seek accountable to the public?
Change the times of the meetings to 5 or 6 p.m. and have a quarterly reporting system available to the public on expenditures and on-going projects.
Candidate Betty Reese did not respond to requests for profile information.
Richmond County Commission District 6
Candidate: Jeremy Johnson
Age, hometown
35, born in Philadelphia, Penn.; raised in Augusta, Ga.
Family
Currently engaged; No children
Education
Hephzibah High School graduate
Work/professional experience
Disabled veteran, eight years active duty military (Army) as military intelligence professional
Real Estate Developer (current)
Why do you want to hold the office you are seeking office?
To use my experience in real estate development to help fix the affordable housing crisis in addition to directing much needed businesses to Augusta.
What changes would you like to see made to the office you’re seeking?
I would like to see the commission board take a more active approach in creating policies that encourage business growth in Augusta.
What goals do you have now if you are successful in the election?
Collaborating with Augusta Housing & Development to address the current housing crisis.
Teaming with our District Attorney to ensure resources are available for crime-reducing diversion programs.
Working alongside the Augusta Land Bank Authority to streamline the process for revitalizing underutilized property.
What would you do, if anything, to make the office you seek accountable to the public?
Forming more open and accessible relationships with digital and print media.
Candidate: Mario Taylor Sr.
Age, hometown
50, Augusta
Family
Husband, father of three and grandfather of three
Education
High school
Work/professional experience
I’m the owner of Taylor Made Logistics of Augusta, LLC and Taylor Made Group of Augusta where we not only provide jobs but also hope. I have 14 years of government experience as a property maintenance, management supervisor component in knowledge of infrastructure projects, policies and procedures of county government function and protocols.
Helped create first incentive program for county employees of Richmond County that is still in existence today.
I worked with the Augusta housing authority for five years. I understand the homeless epidemic, public and low-income housing matters. I was employed by Georgia Regional Hospital, which gave me a great understanding and connection with the mental health crisis of the area.
I have extended involvement in governmental function and fiscal knowledge of the city.
I am well-rounded with various walks and professions of this community, with outstanding people skills I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty. I will be that hands-on step-in to do it myself leader
Why do you want to hold the office you are seeking office?
I’m not seeking an office… I’m seeking to be a voice for the people….they called… and I answered…. that’s because I’m not just a voice for the people…I am the people!
What changes would you like to see made to the office you’re seeking?
More transparency, listen to the community that you’re leading…how can you lead a community if you’re not connected to the community your job is to you listen to the people.
What goals do you have now if you are successful in the election?
To increase the value of lives and help the city reach its top potential as being the third largest city in Georgia, all the while helping citizens live the most prosperous lifestyle available to them
What would you do, if anything, to make the office you seek accountable to the public?
I have a village syndrome mind set. I will involve communication across the board. My No. 1 object is to form a committee that will be called the South Augusta committee, creating a website geared to community communication, referral/ information systems for medical needs, mentoring, educational/tutoring, family care, entrepreneurial/service referrals and neighborhood maintenance projects–establish neighborhood representatives though out the districts to stay abreast on specific needs of the districts from the mouth and experience of the people, making sure everyone has a voice! And it’s heard. #vote
Candidate Tony Lewis did not respond to requests for information for his profile.
Richmond County Commission District 8
Candidate: Brandon Garrett
Age, hometown
41, Augusta
Family
Wife Candace, 2 boys and 1 girl
Education
Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Association of Science in Business Administration, Southern Wesleyan University
Work/professional experience
Over 23 years in Advertising/ Marketing
Why do you want to hold the office you are seeking office?
Continue to help Augusta grow through economic development and infrastructure improvements. Continue to help improve the poor image of the local government through public engagement and fair media coverage.
What changes would you like to see made to the office you’re seeking?
I think it’s time, after over 25 years in existence, to take a look at the charter and see what changes can and should be made to help make this government operate more efficiently and effectively and openly for the public good.
What goals do you have now if you are successful in the election?
Continue to invest in infrastructure and maintenance issues that have plagued our facilities and parks and roadways for years. Bring fiscal responsibility and frugal spending and savings to residents through strong business practices. I also hope to bring fairness to all who pay property tax by eliminating the two-tax district system and having just one tax district. There is no reason why one property in the suburban and one in urban (old city limits) should be taxed differently on property that is assessed at the same value.
What would you do, if anything, to make the office you seek accountable to the public? I have been, and will continue to be, accessible via phone, text, email and social media and have always been willing to help explain and show accountability through discussion and education on issues.
Richmond County Commission District 10
Candidate: John Clarke
Age, hometown
75, Augusta
Family
Widower, two children, three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren
Education
High School with some college
Work/professional experience
Long haul truck driver 12 years, Singer with touring band 11 years, Certified Environmental Professional 15 years, Retired
Why do you want to hold the office you are seeking office?
I am seeking reelection so that I may continue to serve every citizen of Augusta, Ga., and endeavor to make our city better in every possible aspect.
What changes would you like to see made to the office you’re seeking?
More citizen involvement
What goals do you have now if you are successful in the election?
To seek financial audits on each city department including the mayor’s office and to continue to seek total transparency of the government.
What would you do, if anything, to make the office you seek accountable to the public?
Have a system put in place on the Augusta City Government’s web site so that the citizens can go find how the commission voted on an agenda item and to see how their district commissioner vote on the item.
Candidate: Robert A. Cooks
Age, hometown
55, Tucson Ariz. (raised in a military family)
Family
Wife Sara; son Brandon, 33; daughter Dallas, 23Daughter; daughter Drew, 19
Education
Bachelor of Science in Marketing with a Business Administration
Work/professional experience
25 years’ experience in community economic development, real estate, commercial and residential
Why do you want to hold the office you are seeking office?
To be a voice for the citizens of District 3, 6,7, 8
What changes would you like to see made to the office you’re seeking?
As District 10 commissioner, I would seek seek to tighten the budget, lower service fees and work with other commissioners to help Augusta reach its full potential. Addressing, infrastructure, housing, crime, homelessness and economic growth while trying to lower taxes and build reserves.
What goals do you have now if you are successful in the election?
Communicate, listen and work collectively to address the concerns of all of Augusta.
What would you do, if anything, to make the office you seek accountable to the public?
Set up a 12-member district panel to operate as an advisory think tank.
Candidate: Wayne Guilfoyle
Age, hometown
59, Hephzibah, Ga.
Family
Wife of 35 years, Anita; children Kayla and Cody
Education
Graduate of Butler High School, some technical school/college
Work/professional experience
Self-employed, Augusta Tile Crafters Inc.
Why do you want to hold the office you are seeking office?
The incumbent stated when he was elected that he only wanted to run one term. The door was left open to an open seat, and I became a candidate. What I bring to the table is eight years of proven leadership and experience of being a commissioner for District 8; business experience of over 30 years running a successful company and overseeing employees.
Over the eight years on the commission and working with the commissioners and the mayor, we have gotten developments established in A.R.C. such as the T-Center, parking deck on Reynolds Street, Beacon Station Foundry Apartments and Starbucks, to name a few. The only way these got accomplished was by commissioners and staff working together. Gov. Nathan Deal and Michael Shaffer worked cohesively with Augusta to ensure the success of the Cyber Command Center. This is an assurance that Fort Gordon will remain open in the future.
What changes would you like to see made to the office you’re seeking?
Government needs to get back to the basics–for example: Support first responders to protect our citizens, address issues such as ambulance, paving roads, repairing potholes, drainage, trash and transit.
Work with mayor and commission to establish goals in their districts.
Continue to work with outside agencies such as the Convention and Visitors Bureau, Chamber of Commerce, Arts Council and all museums, to continue to attract visitors to our city.
What goals do you have now if you are successful in the election?
I would like to cut the “red tape” so developers can build neighborhoods, so we have more houses and thereby spark commercial growth. We need to support the Development Authority to attract new industry in our area.
If these developments happen, it will offset the deficit that we will face in two years due to the former administrator. The administrator has given out raises and satisfied the debt of streetlights with one time money from Federal Relief Program money at the tune of $10 million.
We need to be reactive, not only proactive! We need to be focused on it now, not in two years and it should not come out of our reserves.
What would you do, if anything, to make the office you seek accountable to the public?
I would be accessible to all. When I was a commissioner for eight years, I only used my personal cell phone and not the county phone. The county phone is too easy to turn off. My number has never changed.
I would change the commission meeting time to 5 p.m. to allow the working people to participate and know that the commission is doing the people’s work.
Richmond County State Court Judge
Candidate: Evita Paschall
Age, hometown
Over 21, Augusta
Family
Married, have 3 adult kids, 3 grandkids
Education
Bachelor of Arts in political science, minor journalism, Howard University
JD, University of Georgia School of Law
Work/professional experience
Solicitor of Civil and magistrate Court of Richmond County
Solicitor of city court of Waynesboro, Ga.
Former judge of municipal court of Augusta, Ga.
Former assistant district atty RC
Former public defender in state court RC
Former assistant solicitor RC
Over 40 years private practice law firm Evita Paschall ATTy at Law
Former editor and publisher of “Augusta Today” magazine
Why do you want to hold the office you are seeking office?
I want to hold the position because I am qualified and experienced in state court. I can make decisions with compassion and with justice and fairness. State court needs a judge like me who can bring life experiences to the position.
What changes would you like to see made to the office you’re seeking?
The one thing I’ve observed that most courts need is more communication between people who run the courts (attorneys, Superior Court Clerk’s Office staff, judge, bailiffs, etc.).
What goals do you have now if you are successful in the election?
My goal is trying to encourage more women to become part of the judicial system and encourage kids to have a goal of being a lawyer.
What would you do, if anything, to make the office you seek accountable to the public?
I think judges should participate more in speaking engagements so people will know more about their rights to obtain documents, court procedures. I think if people see judges more, they become more comfortable with them. Judges should be more visible to the public – they should speak to churches, speak on Law Day. I think just seeing us will give us more accountability. And that’s what I plan to do when I’m elected. I want to speak at churches, not just Black but White, too, so everyone will see the diversity in the court system.
Candidate: Ashanti Lilley Pounds
Age, hometown
39, High Point, N.C.
Family
Wife to Antonio and mother to Christian. I’m also a dog mom to King and Prince.
Education
Bachelor of Arts Degree in English, North Carolina State University
J.D., Emory University School of Law
Work/professional experience
Assistant Public Defender in Richmond County State Court, 2010-2012
Assistant Solicitor/Lead Accountability Court Prosecutor in Richmond County State Court, 2013-201
Owner and principal attorney at the Law Office of Ashanti A. Lilley, LLC, 2017-present
Judicial Compliance Officer in Richmond County State Court, 2020-present
Why do you want to hold the office you are seeking office?
It’s important for a judge who presides over cases that have the potential to have an impact on people’s lives, to be able to step into the role already prepared to work and serve the citizens of the county. The majority of my legal experience has been in Richmond County State Court. I have served on all sides of the court—as a defense attorney, as a prosecutor, and I currently work in state court as a judicial compliance officer. I am familiar with the current state court system and I helped develop many of the current procedures in state court. I want to use my knowledge, expertise and passion for the court to serve as an asset to the state court bench.
What changes would you like to see made to the office you’re seeking?
State court has had many changes over the last several years. Not only have I been present for those changes, I’ve also co-developed many of those changes such as the DUI court, Veterans Court and the Fresh Start Program. I would also like to work with the other judges in state court, the Solicitor’s Office and the clerk’s office to develop a system where written notice for the next court date is given in court. This procedure would help alleviate problems with bench warrants and allow for cases to be resolved more quickly.
What goals do you have now if you are successful in the election?
One of my goals is to give people greater online access to state court so that they are not required to take off from work or other important duties to attend traffic court if it isn’t necessary. I am currently working with Chief Judge David Watkins of state court, the Solicitor’s Office and the clerk’s office to develop an online traffic court dispute resolution program. This program would allow for those who have received certain traffic citations (non-serious moving violations and victimless cases) to be able to resolve their cases online by negotiating with the prosecutor and uploading documents such as proof of insurance, license or registration or proof of completion of defensive driving course or other necessary documentation and paying a fine online.
I also have a goal to create a mental health court division of the State Court Accountability Court Program. A mental health court would allow for individuals who suffer from mental health illnesses to receive treatment and counseling while going through the court system. These types of programs improve quality of life, restore families, reduce recidivism and save money for taxpayers.
What would you do, if anything, to make the office you seek accountable to the public?
A judge’s first role is to be a public servant. I would work to make sure the people of Richmond County have confidence that I will be a judge who is independent, impartial and fair. I will work hard because I know that being a judge is a job and not just a title. Monique Walker, candidate for the Richmond County State Court judge did not respond to requests for her information.
Richmond County Civil and Magistrate Court Chief Judge
Candidate: Carletta Sims Brown
Age, hometown
61, Augusta, Georgia. Born in West, Miss. and raised in Milwaukee, Wisc.
Family
Wife of Wayne Brown, mother of Chinue Brown and Thandiwe Brown, and daughter of Liz Sims and the late Willie Sims
Education
Bachelor of Arts, Economics and Management Fisk University, Nashville, Tenn.
Juris Doctorate, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisc.
Work/professional experience
Incumbent, Civil and Magistrate Court Chief judge
Former magistrate judge
Also worked as private practitioner, county attorney, special assistant attorney general, solicitor general, public defender and Small Business Administration disaster assistance attorney.
Why do you want to hold the office you are seeking office?
I seek to continue to hold the position as Chief Judge in order to continue using my more than 30+ years of legal experience to provide quality judicial services to citizens of Richmond County. As the incumbent and administrator of the court, my staff and I have made great progress in moving the Court forward by making it more accessible by providing informational videos, online forms and advance payment options and by enhancing the court’s technology and resources, like our Housing and Community Development Emergency Rental Assistance Court-based Initiative, for landlords and tenants involved in eviction cases.
What changes would you like to see made to the office you’re seeking?
The changes most needed in court include continued technological advancement and the assessment of positions and salaries to assure that we remain competitive with other judicial agencies in order to retain top quality employees.
What goals do you have now if you are successful in the election?
I would like to implement a pre-trial release program to provide services to citizens arrested and seeking bond while awaiting the hearing by the State or Superior Court; additional partnerships to provide resources to address ordinance, nuisance and blight property issues; and additional initiatives to make the Court more accessible and available to citizens.
What would you do, if anything, to make the office you seek accountable to the public?
Our court is the peoples’ court. I would ensure that court calendars remain public and always welcome citizens to observe the court to see who is serving them and the type of job they are doing. In addition to the information videos and on line form we have added since I took office, I will continue to seek resources and partnerships that will make the court more efficient, accessible to the community and easy to navigate.
Candidate: Katrell Nash
Age, hometown
37, Biloxi, Mississippi
Family
Parents, Sterling and Uri Nash
Younger Brother, Sterling Nash Jr.
Bishon Poodle, Thurgood Nash
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS
Juris Doctor, Mississippi College School of Law, Jackson, MS
Work/professional experience
Attorney, 12.5 years
Why do you want to hold the position for which you are seeking office?
This Court is special to me because my career started in Richmond County Civil and Magistrate Court in 2009. This Court instilled in me the spirit of preparedness, knowledge of the law, and compassion for the human experience in the courtroom. These attributes are what this court needs, and I am that person.
What changes would you like to see made to the office you’re seeking?
If elected, I will advance the technology of the Court to allow for e-filing of pleadings for magistrate court and fillable forms. I would work to align the community with education and resources as well as partnering with community organizations to reduce recidivism.
What goals do you have now if you are successful in the election? My objectives are to make the court more accessible, efficient, and community oriented.
What would you do, if anything, to make the office you seek accountable to the public? I would ensure this office is transparent and visible in the community.
Candidates for Georgia State Senate District 22
Candidate: Andrew Danielson
Age, hometown 36, Gilbert, AZ
Family
Katie (Married since 2008), Alexander (8), Maximus (5), Honora, (1)
Party
Republican
Education
BS Microbiology – Arizona State
JD/MBA – The Ohio State University
Work/professional experience
Previously worked as an in-house attorney.
Currently work in contract negotiation and management.
Why do you want to hold the position for which you are seeking office?
I want to create conditions so the citizenry of the state of Georgia, and of the CSRA specifically, can flourish.
What changes would you like to see made to the office you’re seeking?
I want to use the office to build resiliency of the individual citizen, the family and our civil society. This will require keeping state government properly scoped in accordance with our state and federal constitutions, and fighting federal, local, and corporate overreach as necessary.
What goals do you have now if you are successful in the election?
I would support and promote legislation for a school voucher program, I would draft and/or support voting integrity legislation and I would review the actions taken during the pandemic with an eye toward protecting the citizenry. Citizens should be permitted to assess their own risks and take appropriate action and that approach should trump a government that thinks it can send “non-essential” workers home or an employer who mandates you undergo a medical procedure to continue to feed your family.
What would you do, if anything, to make the office you seek accountable to the public?
I would be a voice, and a vote, in the state senate to help keep decisions the legislature is responsible for making with the legislature rather than farming it out to an unelected and unaccountable agency. Decision making delegated to a bureaucracy hides accountability from the citizenry.
Candidate: Harold V. Jones II
Age, hometown
53, Augusta, Ga.
Family
Single no children, 5 sisters and my parents are Mr. and Mrs. Harold Jones
Party
Democrat
Education
Bachelor’s degree, South Carolina State University
JD, North Carolina Central University Law School
Work/professional experience
Attorney-former Solicitor General Augusta Richmond County 2004-2009 (resigned 2009 to run for the State Senate Special Election).
Why do you want to hold the office you are seeking office?
I want to continue my work in the Georgia State Senate. I have a deep commitment to this community and look forward to continuing to serve the entire community. During my tenure, I have passed and the governor has signed my legislation. In 2019, I passed SB 9. This legislation prohibits online sexual exploitation. I also passed SB 29 (2019), which prevents police officers from being sued in their personal capacity for car accidents. In 2020, I passed SB 78 (2020), which increased the penalty for “Revenge Porn: (increasing that penalty from a misdemeanor to a felony). I have passed the following legislation in the State Senate, but it has yet to pass the House of Representatives. In 2022, I passed SB 227 which allows for county or city governments to use eminent domain to combat the problem of “dead malls” like Regency Mall. Also in 2022, I passed SB 537, which created a food policy commission to help eradicate food insecurity. Once I return to the Senate, I will make sure both SB 537 and SB 227 pass the Senate but also make it through the House of Representatives for the governor’s signature.
What changes would you like to see made to the office you’re seeking?
I would like for us to create more committee days after what is called “Crossover Day.” Once a bill crosses over from one body to the other, more time is needed to properly examine the legislation. Committee days do not count towards our 40 days. Increasing committee days after crossover day will allow more time to look at proposed legislation and make any necessary corrections.
What goals do you have now if you are successful in the election?
Once I return to the Senate, I will make sure both SB 537 and SB 227 pass the Senate but also make it through the House of Representatives for the governor’s signature. I also want to continue to push for passage for two other pieces of legislation that have passed the State Senate Judiciary committee but have yet to reach the Senate floor. SB 287 (eliminates the Statute of Limitations for Rape) has passed the Senate Judiciary committee but failed to get to the Senate floor. I want to continue to push for legislation that changes the penalty for possession of marijuana. SB 105 (which changed the felony provisions of possession of marijuana) passed the Senate Judiciary Committee but has yet to reach the Senate floor. I will also propose a study committee to determine how the state can better serve our elderly community. Specifically, the committee will examine how the state can better serve our elder caregivers.
I have previously passed study committees. In 2019 I passed SR 153, which studied whether nonviolent felons should remain eligible to vote. In 2021, I passed SR 283 (and I chaired this study committee), which studied how the state could eradicate food insecurity.
I have a strong history of passing legislation, developing relationships and being effective in a Republican-dominated legislature. I have passed legislation that some may consider conservative (such as SB 29) and passed legislation (at least through the Senate judiciary committee) that some may consider liberal (such as Sb 105). I do not take such a narrow view of conservative or liberal bills. I look to pass legislation that improves our citizen’s lives, and labels do not matter. My colleagues in the Senate Democratic Caucus trust my judgment as I am also our Senate Caucus Whip. In 2020 I was the chief Senate Democratic negotiator to ensure the passage of Hate Crimes legislation. I have a proven track record and I look forward to further serving our community and our state.
What would you do, if anything, to make the office you seek accountable to the public?
No response submitted
Richmond County State Rep. Henry “Wayne” Howard did not respond to requests for information for his candidate profile.
