2015 Special Elections. State House District 24

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1 2015 Special Elections State House District 24 Cities: Cumming 2012 Presidential Election Results: 17.8% Obama % Romney Former Representative: Mark Hamilton (R) Election Date: June 16, 2015 Current Candidates: Ethan Underwood (R) Ethan Underwood is a partner at the law firm of Miles, Hansford & Tallant, LLC in Forsyth County. Ethan earned his J.D. with a concentration in business transactions from the University of Tennessee College of Law, and MBA with a concentration in finance from the University of Tennessee. He also earned a B.S. in marketing from the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. Ethan is active in the community, serving in local civic and charitable organizations. He currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors the Bald Ridge Lodge, Inc., and Rewarding Minds, Inc. He is also a member of the Rotary Club of Lanier-Forsyth. A proven conservative, Ethan served as Chairman of the Forsyth County Republican Party from , and 2nd Vice Chair of the 9th Congressional District Republican Party until April Ethan has been endorsed by Representative Mark Hamilton. Sheri Gilligan (R) Sheri graduated from the University of Georgia and went on to work for the CIA. Sheri Gilligan will focus much of her campaign on providing ethical & accountable leadership. If elected, she will fight Obamacare and Common Core. She believes that the best government is a small government. Fiscally, Sheri will work to end the income tax and lower our tax burden while maintaining our way of life. Sheri Gilligan ran against Mark Hamilton for this seat in 2014.

2 David Van Sant(R) David M. Van Sant received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Kennesaw State University and received his Juris Doctor with honors from Georgia State University College of Law. Mr. Van Sant is an experienced trial lawyer who has received many accolades and has been nationally recognized as one of the best trial lawyers in the state. Will Kremer(R) Will Kremer is by every definition a Forsyth Republican. Will has been elected to serve on the Forsyth County GOP board, and additionally is the 2nd Vice Chairman of the 7th District GOP. Most impressively, Will served as the youngest elected Chairman of the Georgia Association of College Republicans. Under his guidance, this organization which serves as the focal point for growing the Republican Party among college students grew exponentially. More importantly, Will organized thousands of Georgians to not only keep Georgia red in the 2014 elections but influenced the outcome of campaigns across the country by organizing express trips from our state. Will also comes from strong conservative roots. Raised by a minister and veteran, he was brought up with a strong Christian tradition that recognizes the importance of family values in our society and an appreciation for the Constitutional rights our American heroes have fought for. Additionally, he began working as a teenager in his family s commercial insurance business, and continues to work there today, that started in the basement of his family s home but has now grown to nearly 30 employees. Most importantly, Will realizes the importance that emerging conservatives will play in creating a Conservative Georgia. He fully recognizes the role that Forsyth Values will play in shaping that future, and is eager to earn your vote in the June 16 Special Election.

3 State House District 48 Cities: Roswell 2012 Presidential Election Results: 37.7% Obama 60.3% Romney Former Representative: Harry Geisinger (R) Election Date: July 14, 2015 Current Candidates: Betty Price (R) Dr. Betty Price has lived in Roswell over 30 years and has always been active in the Roswell community. She was appointed to the City of Roswell's Design Review Board in 2007 and has also served on the Boards of the Roswell Historical Society, the Chattahoochee Nature Center, the Senior Services North Fulton, the Roswell Woman s Club, the Friends of the Roswell Library, Every Woman Works, and ten years on the Fulton County Board of Health. She is a past president of the Lakemont Homeowner's Association and is a "Tenure" member of the Georgia Ensemble Theatre, Roswell s resident theatre company. She is active with Friends of Bulloch Hall and the Roswell Rotary Club. Betty chairs the Urban Improvement Committee of the Roswell Woman's Club. The committee has spearheaded the Club s efforts for landscaping at the Heart of Roswell, the Chattahoochee River Cleanup, enhancing the Founder s cemetery, plans for decorative lighting in the Historic District, and installing a labyrinth in Roswell. Betty currently serves on the Drake House Advisory Council, has given classes for Seniors Enriched Living, and annually teaches "Citizenship" at the Boy Scouts' Merit Badge University. She has received a Phenomenal Woman of North Fulton Award.

4 State House District 55 Cities: Atlanta 2012 Presidential Election Results: 83.9% Obama 15.1% Romney Former Representative: Tyrone Brooks (D) Election Date: June 16, 2015 Current Candidates: Tyrone Brooks, Jr. (D) Mr. Tyrone Brooks Jr., MBA is an Atlanta native and long-time participant in the business and political arena in the Southeast region of the United States. A graduate of Northside/North Atlanta High School in 1994, Mr. Brooks Jr. began the journey of bringing opportunity to communities. Initially entering the business arena in 1997 via music publishing, Mr. Brooks Jr. later received his BSBA in 2004 and his MBA in International Business in 2006 and is currently a law student at William Howard Taft Law School. Mr. Brooks Jr. has also been a political consultant for various campaigns since 2001 including U.S Congressional races, U.S. Senate, as well as state & local elections. Some of Mr. Brooks Jr. accomplishments include: Raghu R. Raju (D) He is a long-time Atlantan and has lived over half is life in Georgia. He was born in Plymouth, Massachusetts of immigrant parents from India. Raghu is passionate about social and economic issues that affect the daily lives of all people. He believes we need more compassion and understanding in our society, in both the public and private sectors, and that only through such compassion can we build strong and unified communities characterized by social diversity and inclusiveness as well as economic and political strength.

5 Mike Fitzgerald (D) I m proud to have been born and raised in Metro Atlanta, attending Duluth High School when my family moved to Gwinnett in my 9th grade year. At MIT I was proud to serve in the Air Force ROTC, the university s soccer team, and was President of my fraternity, Delta Upsilon, and also served on the interfraternity council before graduating with my mechanical engineering degree. After graduating from MIT, I took an engineering job in the high tech industry at a dot com in Texas where I worked for almost two years before the dot com bust provided me with the opportunity to move back to Atlanta to be around friends and family again, and to join my grandfather in his real estate business. After working with my Grandfather I went on to work for Coldwell Banker and then starting my own real estate firm in 2004, based right here in District 55. John Guest (I) John is responsible for design support servies and systems development to insure that Carson Guest leads in client service quality. An ASID award receiptient, John sits on the Board of Directors for the Georgia Alliance of Interior Design Professionals, where he chairs the Legislative Affairs Committee. John graduated from Georgia State University. Alysia Brown (D) Project Manager

6 Shelitha Robertson (D) Shelitha Robertson has more than thirty-years of experience in the public safety and legal field. She is a skilled, professional, highly principled attorney and stands by her convictions to work for District 55 and all of Georgia. For all of her adult life Shelitha has been a devoted public servant. Her unwavering commitment to public service led her to serve as an Atlanta Police Officer for 10 years. After completing Law School, she continued serving the citizens of Atlanta as an Assistant Public Defender entrusted with protecting the rights of indigent individuals charged with city ordinances, misdemeanors and felony offenses. Shelitha went on to become an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Atlanta where she was responsible for drafting laws and resolutions for the city, advising city officials in matters that directly affect citizens and city government, as well as litigating civil and administrative matters in Georgia's State and Appellate Courts. Her vast legal experience has prepared her to serve as legislator representing District 55. Shelitha has the experience to hit the ground running and ensure her constituents the representation they deserve. Shelitha, a native of Georgia, was educated in the Atlanta Public School System. Shelitha is the proud mother of two daughters, Latessa Renee and Sabrina Renee. Shelitha is an active member of the Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church where she serves in the Trustee Ministry. Shelitha volunteers her time and talents with citizens throughout the county on various projects and programs. Shelitha is also an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys (GABWA), Georgia Association for Women Lawyers (GAWL), Gate City Bar Association, American Bar Association, Atlanta Bar Association. Marie Robinson Metze (D) Retired Educator/Community Organizer

7 State House District 80 Cities: Brookhaven, North Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Chamblee 2012 Presidential Election Results: 42.5% Obama 55.7% Romney Former Representative: Mike Jacobs (R) Election Date: July 14, 2015 Current Candidates: Catherine Bernard (R) Catherine Bernard is a Brookhaven attorney specializing in indigent defense and constitutional advocacy. She was born in Virginia and moved to Georgia in 1999 to attend Emory University. After graduating with a degree in philosophy and political science, she attended law school at the University of Virginia and returned to Georgia to practice civil litigation at Rogers & Hardin in downtown Atlanta. In 2009, she became a public defender in Dublin, Georgia and developed a deep appreciation for the challenges faced by the poorest and most vulnerable Georgians most of which are caused by big government. Her legal practice continues to focus on protecting constitutional rights and ensuring government accountability. She is active in community outreach throughout DeKalb County. Since becoming a Republican activist, here are some of the activities Catherine has been engaged in: 2012 Republican National Convention, Delegate North Dekalb Republican Women, President Dekalb Young Republicans, Membership Chair Georgia Republican Party, Candidate for 1st Vice Chair Republican Liberty Caucus, 12th District Chair & 6th District Vice-Chair 12th District Georgia Republican Party, Executive Committee Member Laurens County Republican Party, Precinct Chair

8 Frederick Douglass Republican Republican National Lawyers Association J. Max Davis (R) J. Max Davis was elected Brookhaven s first mayor in December Davis grew up in Brookhaven and currently resides in the city s Brittany neighborhood with his wife and three children. He currently works as an attorney and partner of J. Max Davis Attorneys at Law. The firm was started by his father, the late J. Max Davis Sr., who served in the Georgia House of Representatives for 22 years. The firm specializes in civil litigation and debt relief. Davis has been involved in many Brookhaven community groups long before the city s incorporation, including acting as president of the Brookhaven Yes organization and serving as a board member for Citizens for North DeKalb. He also was a founding member of the Friends of Murphey Candler Park and the Ashford Alliance Community Association. He also served on the Board of Post-Secondary Education Council, a position that was appointed by Governor Sonny Perdue. Davis holds a bachelor s degree in history from Georgia State and a law degree from John Marshall Law School. He has been licensed to practice law in Georgia since Taylor Bennett (D) Taylor has been a resident of Atlanta for the past 10 years and attended John Marshall Law in midtown Atlanta. Before law school, Taylor pursued a professional football career in the European Football League (EFL) and with the Detroit Lions. Taylor completed his undergraduate degree at Georgia Tech

9 with a B.S. in International Affairs with a focus in Russian in Spanish languages. Taylor was quarterback for the Yellow Jackets from and continues to support Georgia Tech sports and academics. Before starting The Bennett Law Group, Taylor served as a Vice President at Access Point Financial in Atlanta, GA. As a direct lender in the hospitality industry Taylor was responsible for generating financial solutions for hotel owners and developers in the sector of FF&E and PIP Financing. Prior to Access Point Financial, Taylor worked for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as a legal assistant to the Acting Assistant Secretary of the Administration of Children and Families. While at ACF, Taylor worked directly for the Acting Secretary in creating the legislative and legal guidance designed to facilitate the reform of transparency requirements under Child Welfare Laws. During his first two years of law school Taylor worked for private hospitality company that specialized in hotel and franchise development. During his time at Georgia Tech Taylor worked for U.S. Franchise Systems under the mentorship of founders Tim and Mike Muir.

10 State House District 146 Cities: Bonaire, Warner Robins, Kathleen, Perry 2012 Presidential Election Results: 33.2% Obama 65.8% Romney Former Representative: Larry O Neal (R) Election Date: July 14, 2015 Current Candidates: Shaw Blackmon (R) Blackmon serves as the president and CEO of National Bank Products. Blackmon was vice chairman of the Robins Regional Chamber of Commerce in 2012 and formerly served as chair of the Middle Georgia Technical College Foundation. He is a member of the board of directors of Sunmark Bank, the Museum of Aviation Foundation, the Houston County Development Authority, and the Houston County Heritage Foundation. He also served as a member of the Georgia Board of Community Affairs. Blackmon earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia, where he also lettered four years and made scholar athlete as a member of the golf team. In 2008, Governor Sonny Perdue appointed Mr. Blackmon to the State Board as an At Large Representative. He currently chairs the Appeals Committee and serves on the Academic Affairs and Governance, Compliance and Audit committees. Larry Walker, III (R) Born and raised in Perry, Larry is a graduate of Westfield School and holds a BBA degree from The University of Georgia. He is a Certified Insurance Counselor and maintains a Georgia Insurance License. He is President of Walker Insurance Agency in Perry, which he founded in Larry also serves as statewide Marketing Manager for Health Care Mutual Captive Insurance Company. Larry is active in the Perry United Methodist Church. He is on the Board of Trustees of Westfield School, the Museum of Aviation Foundation Board, and the Board of Directors for ComSouth. He is past Chairman of the Perry Downtown Development Authority and now serves on the Houston County Development Authority. Larry is past president of the Perry Rotary Club, a Paul Harris Fellow and was named Perry Rotarian of the Year in 2004 and again in In 2004, Houston County Magazine named Larry a top 10 leader under 40, and the Macon Telegraph lists him as one of 14 to watch in 2014.

11 Kelly Burke (R) From 1997 to 2010 I represented you as district attorney of Houston County. Houston County has always been a law and order place, so that didn t change, but I did make the office the most accessible in the entire country. I put all of the cases online, I sent out daily news updates and I gave citizens the ability to address their case 24/7 through the Web, instead of having to deal with the typical government 9-5 mentality. Four years prior to that I represented you as chief magistrate. I made the magistrate court the most automated court in Georgia, which culminated in my appointment to the Judicial Council of Georgia and the Georgia Courts Automation Commission. I was the first elected Republican district attorney in Houston County history, and was successful in three contested elections. I was elected as a Republican before being Republican was cool. While every elected office holder in Houston County is now a member of the GOP, I was not so fortunate in my early years. However, by building relationships, using technology and instilling modern efficiencies, I was able to be on your side in making the court and district attorney s office accountable and transparent. Since I left office, I have worked to promote gun rights through a Facebook page called Houston County Carries Concealed. With over 4,000 members, we enter into daily discussions about gun laws, safety procedures and gun ownership rights. Please join us if you support gun rights. My experience tells me that the overwhelming majority of Houston Countians support gun rights. Creating this group and moderating it is simply a way that I can be on your side. I have written a weekly column on the law, politics, gun rights and sometimes rock n roll for about fifteen years for the Houston Home Journal. It is that column that has helped me connect with so many of you. Using modern social media elements I have spread that my message of advocating for the America that our Founding Fathers envisioned, a land of liberty. To me, the Founding Fathers were the ultimate in I m on your side. They didn t side with the King. They didn t side with the Government. They didn t side with the military. They sided with the people. We need more of that, not less. Some background, because that is what people do when they run for office, they tell you what they ve done. I am a graduate of Georgia Tech with a B.S. Industrial Management. I then attended Mercer Law School, and was admitted to the bar by the Honorable Judge Willis Hunt in 1984 in Houston County. After two years in Atlanta, I moved to the Warner Robins area where I have lived ever since. I am married to Mary Ann Gallaher and between us we have eight children: four having graduated from college, two in college and two in Houston County public schools. Mary Ann is a legal assistant and is active in the Daughters of the American Revolution.

12 I am a past president and long time member of the Warner Robins Noon Optimist Club. I belong to the Warner Robins Civitan Club, a local British Auto club (I love MGBs) and am active in numerous youth activities. We are members of Harvest Methodist Church.

13 State House District 155 Cities: Fitzgerald, Ocilla, Tifton, Ambrose, Ashburn 2012 Presidential Election Results: 32.8% Obama 66.3% Romney Former Representative: Jay Roberts (R) Election Date: July 14, 2015 Current Candidates: Scott Downing (R) Scott Downing is a graduate of Fitzgerald High School and Georgia Southern University. He has worked in his family s meat processing business for 21 years, serves on the Ben Hill County Commission and is the Director of Economic Development for Ben Hill County, a position he holds as a volunteer. Scott also serves as Chair of Georgia s Suwanee-Satilla Water Council. Scott is an active Rotarian, a Paul Harris Fellow and past President of the Fitzgerald Rotary Club. He has served as an officer in 4-H, the Georgia Southern Pilots Association, President of the Southeastern Meat Association, Director on the Colony Bank of Fitzgerald Advisory Board, Director on the Colony Bankcorp Board and as a member of the local Hospital Foundation Board. Scott s main focus will be bringing back jobs in small business and agriculture. Horace Hudgins (R) Mayor of Ocilla. No bio available online