Georgia House of Representatives District 39 candidate surveys, 2022

Elections in Georgia, 2022

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This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for Georgia House of Representatives District 39 who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.

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• Click here to see Candidate Connection survey responses.

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for Georgia House of Representatives District 39

Terry Cummings defeated Olivia Angel in the general election for Georgia House of Representatives District 39 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Terry Cummings (D)	78.4	15,634
		Olivia Angel (R)	21.6	4,308

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 19,942
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

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Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Olivia Angel (R)

Property tax: I believe that seniors citizens should be exempt from all school taxes

Balance the budget

Establish community safety programs with our local law enforcement for a safer community.

Terry Cummings (D)

Voting is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution. Today, our democracy remains under attack by Republicans who are doing everything to undermine future election results, including reducing early voting locations and other efforts to discourage voters. More disturbing is the practice of cracking; the discriminatory practice splitting communities into multiple districts to reduce their voting power. It is critical that during this election you VOTE EARLY to ensure your vote is appropriately counted. As your next representative, I will fight to ensure every eligible voter has fair access to the ballot.

Health Care is a right, not a privilege. Georgia is one of 12 states in our country that has not expanded Medicaid. If COVID has taught us nothing else, it shows that the lack of affordable healthcare can have devastating and long-term effects on families and businesses. The high cost and availability of certain medications, driven by pharmaceutical companies, often force seniors and middle and low-income families to make difficult decisions on how to maintain their health. I'm also pro-choice. I believe the decisions we make about our bodies are between our God, Physician, and family. The government has no business in our bedrooms or doctor's office.

I will vigorously fight to return to common-sense gun control laws which just got harder thanks to the “Constitutional Carry” law signed by Kemp in April. This new law allows residents to carry concealed handguns in public without a license or background check. As a retired federal law enforcement officer, I understand that citizens have a right to responsible gun ownership, but citizens also have the right to not live in fear of gun violence everywhere they turn. As your next representative, I will work to ensure guns do not fall in the hands of violent felons, individuals convicted of domestic abuse, and those with a history of serious mental health issues.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Olivia Angel (R)

I am worried about the future of our community so I jumped in this political race, I want to advance a conservative Republican ideas to keep our community prosperous and to keep our peaceful living. I want to listen my constituents issues in the community and make or vote laws of what resonates in my House District 39 when I get elected. Friends and Family, please allow me to serve you by electing me in this coming election.

Terry Cummings (D)

I grew up on the principle that America is a “melting pot” of different races, cultures, religions, nationalities working together to realize the “American Dream”. I believe all Georgians deserve the opportunity to achieve the dream. As your next state representative, I will work to: -Preserve the rights of all Georgian’s regardless of race, nationality, religion, or sexual orientation.

-Ensure all Georgians have access to affordable housing which includes bringing rent control back to Georgia, and livable wages.

-Ensure women and men receive appropriate sex education, are provided fertility options and birth control. I will also fight to ensure women retain the right to make decisions concerning their own bodies.

-Expand the Georgia Equal Pay Act which prohibits employer discrimination based on sex. This includes equal pay and protection of employees filing complaints about discriminatory practices.

-Protect in-state tuition to all state residents including those who are undocumented.

-Work with educators and parents to address the school-to-prison pipeline statewide.

-Enact meaningful reforms to our criminal justice system, including guaranteeing that restricted records can’t be used in employment determinations.

-Stop the expansion of inhumane immigration detention centers.

- Support efforts to decriminalize marijuana and ensure the release of incarcerated individuals on possession and minor distribution charges.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Terry Cummings (D)

My mother, Dr. Mattie Collins one for the first African Americans to work with New York Visiting Nurse Service. She taught Pediatric nursing. She didn't believe in titles, was kind, loving and valued education.

My father, Rudy Collins a jazz drummer who played with Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Mann, Quincy Jones and many jazz greats. He was talented, gentle and kind.

My grandfather, Dr. Chancelor Williams who was a professor of African History at Howard University and wrote Destruction of the African Civilization.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Terry Cummings (D)

I was 8 years old in 1968, and I remember when Martin Luther King and John F. Kennedy were murdered. I recall seeing my mother sitting in a chair and just crying.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Terry Cummings (D)

Babysitting and McDonalds was my first job. I worked in a fabric factory the summer before college.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Terry Cummings (D)

During my career, I have learned to seek to understand others before being understood. I strongly believe that building relationships with other legislators is critical to becoming an effective legislator.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Terry Cummings (D)

I favor using Non-partisan redistricting commissions that are transparent to inspire voter confidence, Members would be selected through an independent process to avoid conflicts of interests. Criteria would be established and followed to ensure federal laws and the Voting Rights Act are followed. Public hearings would be standard.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Terry Cummings (D)

I believe in working with people with divergent interests. I believe it is important to work across the aisle, when possible, to achieve mutual goals that benefit all Georgians.

See also

More about these elections:

• Georgia House of Representatives elections, 2022

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