Candidates Address Voters

Editor’s Note: This newspaper requested candidates to complete a questionnaire to inform voters of his or her experience, the challenges facing them and their office if elected, to give a brief statement to the voters and finally explain why a vote should be cast in his or her favor. Here is the response given to the newspaper by the candidates. If the candidate is not included, it means he or she either did not request a questionnaire or did not return it.

Incumbent Democratic candidate Debbie Buckner will see opposition from write-in candidate Stephen Acorn in her bid for re-election to the State House of Representatives District 137 seat in the Nov. 3 General Election. House District 137 includes Talbot County and portions of Meriwether, Troup, Muscogee and Fort Benning.

Debbie Buckner

Buckner has served as the District 137 representative since 2002. During here time in the General Assembly, Buckner has served on the following committees and is currently serving on the Appropriations Committee – Health subcommittee, Natural Resources and Environment, Rural Economic Development as Secretary, she is the ranking Democratic member of the Ways and Means committee, the state properties committee and retirement committee.

Buckner, a resident of Talbot County, said there are challenges facing rural Georgia.

“Like many rural counties across Georgia, is facing significant challenges. Traditional agricultural businesses are changing and, in some cases, disappearing as business models increasingly favor larger operations. Farmers, and businesses are also dealing with high input costs, labor shortages, and supply-chain challenges.

“International events can have very local consequences. The conflict involving Iran and resulting increases in diesel fuel prices have far-reaching implications. As the per-gallon cost of fuel increases, it affects the cost of everything from groceries, medical supplies, timber, manufactured goods, and fertilizers.

“At the state level, there is limited ability to address international fuel prices. One immediate action available to the state is suspending the state fuel tax. Governor Kemp suspended the state gas tax for 30 days, providing a temporary reduction in fuel costs. This is not a permanent solution, but it provides some relief during a difficult period.”

Buckner says during her service, much has been accomplished for her District and the State. She also states there are things that still need addressing.

“Do we have issues and concerns that need to be addressed?” Buckner said. “Certainly. At joint meetings I have sponsored on topics ranging from tax policy involving mining companies and timber growers to discussions involving local businesses and their interest in the school system, and the Department of Revenue concerning proposed property-tax legislation, I have seen our community come together. People may disagree on issues, but there has consistently been a willingness to have open dialogue, work together, and look for solutions that benefit the entire community and our state.

“Being in the minority party has its challenges, but developing relationships across the aisle and working hard has allowed me to accomplish many things for our district.”

When asked why a vote should be cast in her favor, Buckner’s answered:

“I have worked hard for the residents of House District 137. During legislative sessions, I have provided weekly updates so citizens could follow the process, understand what was happening at the Capitol, and participate in their government.

“Contrary to what dome have said, I am a Democrat, and I believe in and love God. Before I go to sleep, among other things, I pray that I have helped someone that day, that I have done God’s will, and I ask for guidance about what He wants me to do tomorrow. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the people of House District 137. With their support and vote, I look forward to continuing to work for our families, and our communities.”

Steve Acorn

Acorn, a Midland resident, said he has 23 experience of healthcare in both sales and operational leadership. But he believes the true measure of leadership isn’t simply what you accomplish yourself. It’s the people you develop along the way.

“Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of identifying, mentoring, and developing the next generation of leaders,” Acorn said. “Today, individuals I helped prepare for leadership are managing National Account operations across Georgia for the corporation where I work. That experience has taught me how to lead people, solve problems, make difficult decisions, and build teams that deliver results.

“That is the kind of leadership I want to bring to the Georgia House of Representatives. We don’t need more politicians who simply occupy a seat. We need leaders who know how to bring people together, develop solutions, and get results for the people they serve.”

Acorn was asked what the most important issues that needed addressing should he be elected.

“There are many challenges facing our communities, but my priorities begin with making life more affordable and creating greater economic opportunity for the people who call our district home,” Acorn said.

“I will fight for meaningful property tax relief for our seniors and military veterans. Too many seniors are living on fixed incomes and watching the cost of simply remaining in the homes they worked their entire lives to own continue to rise. I do not believe someone who has worked, sacrificed, and paid for their home should have to fear losing it because they can no longer afford the property taxes. Our veterans answered the call to serve this country, and I believe we have a responsibility to stand up for them when they come home.

“I will also make access to healthcare in our rural communities a priority. No family should have to drive 30 or 45 miles simply to receive immediate medical attention. I want to work with local communities, healthcare providers, and state leaders to expand access to urgent care and other essential medical services in the rural parts of our district.

“Ultimately, my priorities come down to something simple: help families keep more of what they earn, protect the people who have spent their lives building our communities, bring opportunity to areas that have been overlooked, and make sure that where you live does not determine the quality of services you can access.

“Government cannot solve every problem, but it should never stop us from solving the problems we can.”

When asked what he would like to say to the voters, Acorn’s answer was as follows:

“Anyone can say they care about the people they hope to represent. Anyone can say they love their community. But words are easy. The true measure of those words is action.

“I have always believed that you should judge a person not simply by what they say, but by the fruits of their labor. I am a person of action, and I believe my record of showing up, serving others, and investing in our communities speaks louder than any campaign promise ever could.

“Whether you are Republican, Democrat, Independent, or none of the above; whether you have much or very little; regardless of your race, background, or where you come from, I want you to know this: I value you. I appreciate you. And if given the opportunity to represent you, I will work just as hard for the person who didn’t vote for me as I will for the person who did. Because public service shouldn’t be about who supported you. It should be about serving everyone.”

Acorn was asked why voters should vote for him.

“Many who serve in public office have never experienced what it means to start with almost nothing. I don’t say that as a criticism. None of us gets to choose the circumstances into which we are born. But I do believe our experiences shape how we see the struggles of others. I understand poverty because I lived it.

“I am the youngest of eight children, raised in a family that lived well below the poverty line. I became the first of five boys in my family to graduate from high school and the first of all eight children to attend and graduate from college.

“I share that not for sympathy or praise, but because it shaped the person I am today. I know what it feels like to watch a family stretch every dollar. I know what it means to start behind and fight for an opportunity to move forward. And I know that success is rarely achieved alone.

“When I look at my life today, I see the sacrifices of people who believed in me, invested in me, and gave me opportunities when they didn’t have to. Above all, I see the grace of God. I will never forget where I came from, and I will never forget the people who helped me get here. I don’t believe my story makes me special. I believe it gives me a responsibility.

“A responsibility to serve. A responsibility to remember the families who are still struggling. And a responsibility to use every opportunity God has given me to help someone else find their way forward.

“That is the heart I will bring to public service: never forgetting where I came from, never believing I am better than the people I serve, and never forgetting that sometimes all a person needs is for someone to believe in them and give them a chance.”

Congressman Brian Jack United States House of Representatives, Georgia’s 3^rd Congressional District

Republican Incumbent Brian Jack is being opposed by Democratic candidate Maura Keller in his bid for re-election to the U.S. House of Representative for Georgia’s 3^rd Congressional District.

What is your experience?

Response: I am honored to serve as your Representative to the 119th United States Congress. Shortly after you elected me, my freshman class chose me as its leader in Congress. The Speaker of the House Mike Johnson appointed me as the only freshman on the Rules Committee, the committee through which all legislation flows. And, I was given the chairmanship of a committee, a rare honor for a freshman. I serve as the Chairman of the Small Business Subcommittee on Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Workforce Development, and I was proud to bring a Member of President Trump’s Cabinet, Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler, to Hamilton for a Small Business Tour earlier this month. As your Congressman, I passed the largest tax cut in American history, I delivered the most secure border in the history of our Country, and I have never traded stocks or missed a Congressional vote. Prior to my election, I worked closely with President Trump for nearly a decade, serving as the White House Political Director during his first term, and as his chief liaison to Congress during his post-presidency. I am a sixth-generation Georgian, raised in Fayette County, and I spent my summers in college at Peachtree City Hall, where I helped make my hometown better for all of its residents.

What would you like to say to the voters?

Response: I seek re-election because I want to continue making life better for the incredible people of Georgia’s 3rd Congressional District. Our record of accomplishment is clear: in less than two years in Congress, with your support, we have passed the largest tax cut in American history, we have delivered the most secure border in the history of our country, and we have enacted common-sense legislation – like keeping men out of girls’ sports – that ends the Radical Left’s assault on our values and our faith.

Why should voters cast a vote in your favor?

Response: In 2024, I was honored to receive 66.3% of the vote in our Congressional District, and a clear directive and mandate from the people to legislate in support of America First policies. On immigration, I promised throughout my campaign to secure the border, and I kept that promise by delivering the most secure border in American history. I voted to codify and fully fund President Trump’s historic border security agenda, and I voted to end Joe Biden’s disastrous catch-and-release policies. As a result, there have been 0 border releases of illegal immigrants for 15 straight months. The first bill I passed and co-sponsored was the Laken Riley Act, which prioritizes the deportation of illegal immigrants who commit crimes against American citizens. And, as a testament to this record, I am consistently rated 100% by organizations who advocate for stronger border security policies and immigration enforcement. On the economy, I promised throughout my campaign to extend the Trump Tax Cuts that were set to expire at the end of 2025. I kept that promise by passing the largest tax cut in American history, which enacted No Tax on Tips, No Tax on Overtime, and a New $6,600 Tax Deduction for our senior citizens. And, for the next generation of Georgians, I voted to increase the Child Tax Credit and establish Trump Accounts for newborn children. Throughout my campaign, I promised to bring America’s leaders to our communities, and I am honored to have already hosted 10 visits by Members of President Trump’s Cabinet during my first term – an all-time record for any Member of Congress in Georgia’s history. Of note, I was proud to bring Vice President JD Vance to my hometown of Peachtree City, to discuss the incredible success of our Working Families Tax Cut. And, earlier this month, I brought the Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler to Hamilton for a Small Business Tour. To protect our Georgia values, I voted to Keep Men out of Girls’ Sports, and I support a complete ban on men participating in girls’ sports — at all levels. I voted to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse across our federal government, including the elimination of

$9 billion of funding for Joe Biden’s woke USAID foreign programs, which included millions of taxpayers’ dollars for transgender surgeries in Guatemala. Integrity matters, and I strive to set an example for how Members of Congress should govern. As your Congressman, I have never traded a stock. I am one of only 9 (out of 535) Members of Congress to have never missed a Congressional vote. And, I am one of the only Members of Congress to support the No Budget, No Pay Act, which prohibits me – and other Congressmen – from receiving pay, if we can’t pass a budget. I approach every vote with the perspective of all of my constituents in mind, and I am proud of my record in support of our principles. I hope to earn your vote for re-election.

What are the most important issues to be addressed if elected?

Response: We must build upon our success to make life more affordable for all Americans by growing our economy, accelerating American energy development, and continuing to cut needless and burdensome government regulations. We must also pass the SAVE America Act, which requires Voter ID when voting, and proof of citizenship while voting. I have proudly voted for the SAVE America Act 5 times, and I urge all readers to call our Democrat Senators and demand they vote for this legislation so broadly supported by the American people.

For Georgia’s 3^rd Congressional District

Maura Keller

Maura Keller is opposing Congressman Brian Jack for the 3^rd Congressional District Seat. Her responses follow.

What is your experience?

Response: Her experience is as follows:

• 26 Year veteran of the US Army
• Retired Lt. Colonel
• General Douglas MacArthur Award for Leadership
• Nuclear Medicine Technologist
• Worked in the Piedmont, Emory, and, most recently, Atlanta VA Health systems.

What would you like to say to the voters?

Response: I am running for Congress because the people of Georgia’s 3rd District deserve a representative who will put them first — not a party line or a political machine. After 26 years in the Army and inside knowledge of the VA system, I have seen what happens when leaders stop listening and systems fail the people they are supposed to serve. In our district, pay has not kept pace with the rising cost of healthcare, food, gas, rent, and other basics. Families are struggling to stay afloat. Veterans and working families need someone who will fight to protect what they have earned and demand real accountability. I am running to be that person: transparent, accessible, focused on practical results, and willing to work with anyone who will put the common good of this district ahead of partisan games.

Why should voters cast a vote in your favor?

Response: Our current Congress has proven to be irresponsible in a multitude of ways–the Iran War has spiralled out-of-control and now leaves our economy in shambles while our national security suffers. Harmful tariffs have crippled small businesses and farmers while driving up prices for everyone to pay more both at the pump and at the grocery store. Our healthcare has been cut by the largest margin in American history, and our deficit now sits at a record $2 trillion. As I said, irresponsible. I’m asking for your vote to immediately improve your lives in a few simple ways:

1. End our support for the Iran War to stop insane gas + diesel surges.

2. Remove the most harmful tariffs that keep increasing our prices.

3. Restore ACA and Medicaid subsidies that have skyrocketed our premiums.

I have a lot of priorities for when I get to Congress, but those three are my day one solutions.

What are the most important issues to be addressed if elected?

Response: My three most important issues are:

1. The cost of living, including grocery, gas, housing, and healthcare prices.

2. Social Security Reform

3. Data Center overexpansion

Ending the Iran War, reducing harmful tariffs, and restoring healthcare subsidies will directly reduce the cost of living, but Congress needs to act fast in more areas. In addition to enshrining voting rights and raising the minimum wage, I will sit down and work across party lines to make sure we address social security. It will enter insolvency in 2032, and I will not let that happen.

On Data Centers, I have been fighting with local community activists for over a year to bring attention to controversial projects, of which there are over 30 either planned or projected in Georgia’s 3rd District. Unfortunately, I have to declare that I have not and will not take money from Data Center developers or Pro-AI PACs.

My opponent has taken money from owners, executives, and lobbyists associated with QTS, Prologis (Project Sail), and Vantage Data Centers. He then passed a big rural development tax break in the OBBBA that AI firms are exploiting for speculative Data Center expansion all over Georgia. One of his pro-AI Super Pac donors Fairshake recently listed Jack in their slate of “the largest pro-crypto caucus in American history” (Source: The Hill, 10/5/26). Fairshake is actively spending on mailers for Brian Jack inside of Georgia’s 3rd District’s 2026 Early Voting period.

My stance: We need a moratorium on new development until we fully understand the long-term effects of building Data Centers in or near residential and conservation-zoned areas.

For State Senate District 29

Randy Robertson

What is your experience?

Response: I have served as the Georgia State Senator for District 29 for the last eight years, and I currently serve as Senate Majority Whip. Before the Senate, I spent 31.5 years in law enforcement, including leadership in the Georgia Fraternal Order of Police, where I served as both Lodge President and State President. In the Senate, I serve on Appropriations, Rules, Ethics, Insurance, Government Oversight, State and Local Governmental Operations, Health, and Redistricting. In the interim, I serve as Chairman of the Senate Study Committee on Adoption and Permanency Affordability. Additionally, I serve as the chair of the Georgia Commission on Family Violence.

What would you like to say to the voters?

Response: I ran for this office to serve the people of District 29 the same way I served in uniform — show up, tell the truth, and do the job. We have sent millions in tax dollars back to Georgia families, strengthened support for law enforcement and educators, provided for those with disabilities, restored God-given rights to Georgia-born adoptees, and worked to improve healthcare for all Georgians. I’m asking for your vote to keep doing that work.

Why should voters cast a vote in your favor?

Response: Because I keep my word. When I say I’ll take on an issue — public safety, mental-health capacity, or the barriers facing foster and adoptive families — I stay with it until it’s done. My record is open for anyone to check.

What are the most important issues to be addressed if elected?

Response: Most important issues to be addressed if elected: The issues that matter most to me are the ones that matter to the citizens of District 29. You are the only special interest I serve. I am committed to public safety and to backing the officers who keep our communities safe; to expanding mental-health treatment capacity in West Central
Georgia; to fixing the adoption and foster-care process so children reach permanent homes faster; and to holding the line on the everyday costs Georgia families face.