Following two special elections this summer, Georgia welcomes six newly elected policymakers to the state legislature. In addition, the Georgia Secretary of State office has announced special elections to fill three recently vacated seats in the House and the Senate next month.
Following the July 14 and July 16 special elections, six House Districts elected new members, including Rep-Elect Betty Price (HD 48 – parts of Roswell, Alpharetta), Rep-Elect Taylor Bennett (HD 80 – parts of Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Chamblee, Brookhaven), Rep-Elect Shaw Blackmon (HD 146 – parts of Warner Robins, Perry), Rep-Elect Clay Pirkle (HD 155 – Parts of Rebecca, Ashburn, Fitzgerald, Ocilla, Ambrose, Broxton, Tifton), Rep-Elect Sheri Smallwood Gilligan (HD 24 – Cumming), Rep-Elect Marie Metze (HD 55 – parts of Atlanta).
Georgia Forestry Association members are encouraged to contact these newly elected legislators in their areas. Each member’s information is detailed below.
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[wptabtitle]Betty Price (R – Roswell)[/wptabtitle]
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Rep-Elect Betty Price received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Pomona College and earned her Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree at McGill University. Betty, a physician by training, worked for over 20 years in the medical field, and practiced her specialty of anesthesiology in both Roswell and Marietta. For the last five years, she has served on the Roswell City Council, where she has been active in community development, transportation, and parks and recreation. She has been married for 32 wonderful years to Dr. Tom Price, who represents the 6th District of Georgia in the U.S. Congress.
How to reach Betty Price:
Capitol Address:
507-F Coverdell Legislative Office Bldg.
Atlanta, GA 30334
District Address:
P.O. Box 2285
Roswell, GA 30077
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[wptabtitle]Taylor Bennett (D – Brookhaven)[/wptabtitle]
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Rep-Elect Taylor Bennett came to Georgia from St. Louis, Missouri, to attend the Georgia Institute of Technology and to play quarterback for the Yellow Jackets. He graduated from Georgia Tech in 2008 with a degree in International Affairs. Following his graduation, Taylor attended Louisiana Tech University to pursue a Master of Business Administration degree and complete his NCAA eligibility. After putting his master’s studies on hold to pursue a professional football career that took him from the EFL in Stockholm, Sweden, to the NFL’s Detroit Lions, he completed his law degree at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School. Taylor currently practices law, representing a diverse group of clients and focusing predominantly on labor and employment issues.
How to reach Taylor Bennett:
Capitol Address:
509-F Coverdell Legislative Office Bldg.
Atlanta, GA 30334
District Address:
1295 Dresden Dr #121
Brookhaven, GA 30319
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[wptabtitle]Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonair)[/wptabtitle]
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Rep-Elect Shaw Blackmon, was raised in Houston County along with his brother, Brad, and sister, Kayce. Upon graduating from Warner Robins High School, he attended the University of Georgia, where he completed his bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems, lettered four years for the men’s golf team, and received the university’s Scholar-Athlete Award for three of those years. Upon moving back to Houston County, Shaw began working in sales for National Bank Products, a company that his father founded. After 10 years in sales, Shaw moved into management, and ran operations before becoming President and CEO, taking over for his father.
How to reach Shaw Blackmon:
Capitol Address:
501-E Coverdell Legislative Office Bldg.
Atlanta, GA 30334
District Address:
P.O. Box 729
Bonaire, GA 31005
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[wptabtitle]Clay Pirkle (R-Ashburn)[/wptabtitle]
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Rep-Elect Clay Pirkle was raised on a family farm in Sycamore. Clay graduated from Georgia Tech with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics in 1989, and from the University of Georgia with a Master of Business Administration degree in Accounting and Finance in 1990. Clay’s work experience covers a wide range of positions and industries, including as an economist with the United States Government, a commercial banker at a local bank, an economics instructor at Darton College, and as a farmer, where he has worked for the last seven years.
How to reach Clay Pirkle:
Capitol Address:
504-C Coverdell Legislative Office Bldg.
Atlanta, GA 30334
District Address:
P.O. Box 607
Ashburn, GA 31714
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[wptabtitle]Sheri Smallwood Gilligan (R-Cumming)[/wptabtitle]
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Rep-Elect Sheri Smallwood Gilligan graduated from Forsyth County High School in 1981. For over 100 years, her family owned a farm located on Franklin Goldmine Road. Upon graduating from the University of Georgia, Gilligan served in the United States Navy Reserves. Her career path led her to work for the CIA as an intelligence analyst, and finally home to Forsyth County to teach at Lanier Tech. Sheri and her husband will celebrate 24 years of marriage this fall. They have four adult children and two grandchildren.
How to reach Sheri Smallwood Gilligan:
Capitol Address:
612-F Coverdell Legislative Office Bldg.
Atlanta, GA 30334
District Address:
4450 Gavira Ct.
Cumming, GA 30040
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[wptabtitle]Marie Metze (D-Atlanta)[/wptabtitle]
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Rep-Elect Marie Metze is a resident of Atlanta and a longtime community activist. Throughout her career, she has served as the Board Vice Chairwoman for the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA); co-owner of Metze Amoco service stations; on the Beltline Tax Allocation District Advisory Committee; as first immediate Vice President of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Atlanta branch; and in other public leadership capacities.
How to contact Marie Metze:
Capitol Address:
511-G Coverdell Legislative Office Bldg.
Atlanta, GA 30334
District Address:
P.O. Box 42626
Atlanta, GA 30311
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Due to the retirement of Sen. Ross Tolleson, and the resignations of Sen. Ronald Ramsey, Rep. Tonya Anderson (HD 92) and Rep. Ben Harbin (HD 122), another set of special elections are expected to take place in November.
GFA members in the districts where special elections are being held also are encouraged to vote and continue to engage in the political process. For more information on the special elections, to register to vote, or view results and statistics, visit http://www.sos.ga.gov.