Macon has several state House races on the ballot this year. Meet the candidates.
There are five contested state House districts with at least a portion of their region in Bibb County, meaning they’re up for election in Bibb County this November.
Among those is the newly-redrawn District 145, up for grabs for the first time.
Here are the candidates for each of the five seats.
District 142
Calvin Dennis Palmer (R)
Palmer has never held an elected office position, which he said would set him apart from other legislators.
Palmer said he is running for office because he saw a recent decline in political leadership on local and national levels.
He described himself as a conservative and condemned President Joe Biden’s administration for management of the economy. Palmer hopes to see lower taxes, improved education and less regulation of businesses, property and family if he’s elected.
He shares similar priorities with his father, who served in the military during World War II.
“People were being moved away from individualism and freedom to collectivism and control. He believed the individualistic mind set was the only course for the survival of our way of life,” Palmer said. “I believe that too.”
Miriam Paris (D)
Incumbent Rep. Miriam Paris didn’t respond to request for comment but has information about her campaign available on her website. She describes herself as a lifelong Democrat and she goes by the motto, “Stronger families create stronger communities,” according to her campaign website.
Paris worked in several local and state roles. Those included president of Macon City Council and state senator. She currently works in various state committees including Appropriations, K-12 Education, Tourism and Economic Development, Special Rules, and Urban Development.
The Macon native has over 25 years of experience in real estate. In her free time, she enjoys music, art, reading and traveling, her website explained.
“She is passionate about upholding democracy and hopes that her legacy will be one of helping others along the way,” Paris’ website said. “Despite her accomplishments, Paris has no intention of slowing down anytime soon.”
District 143
Barbara Boyer (R)
Boyer didn’t respond to requests for comment but had information available on her website. She has worked as a waitress, a retail worker, a government office employee, a parole officer and a lawyer.
Boyer has volunteered with Georgia Legal Aid, the Middle Georgia Food Bank, Historic Macon Foundation, Macon Arts Alliance and has done youth soccer coaching. She also has a passion for preserving history and owns 3250 Antiques & More on Vineville Avenue.
She plans to support small businesses, as well as improve infrastructure with affordable internet and housing. She would also advocate for more funding for teachers and law enforcement.
“Her vision for a prosperous and inclusive future resonates with voters across party lines, making her the best choice to represent our interests in the Georgia State House,” her campaign website said.
Anissa Jones (D)
Jones believes the two most important challenges facing District 143 in the next two years are economic recovery and quality healthcare, she told The Telegraph. These issues are among her top priorities, along with public safety and infrastructure.
Jones has worked and volunteered in various committees and boards involving the environment, economics, health care and education in Macon, she said. She also served in an elected position as vice chair and District 1 representative of the Macon Water Authority.
Jones’ family instilled values “that uplift working families, invest in education and honor those who serve,” she said. Her mother was a union secretary, her father was an Army veteran, her grandmother served as a secretary for the Board of Education and her grandfather was a brick mason.
“My approach is holistic, recognizing that these issues are interconnected and require thoughtful, comprehensive solutions,” Jones said.
District 144
Dale Washburn (R)
Washburn, the incumbent, didn’t respond to requests for comment but had information available on his website. He is running for his third term and describes himself as a businessman, family man and conservative, according to his campaign website.
Washburn has passed bills which were signed into state law that push for increased rights for private property at local, state and federal levels.
With this, he believes “less taxation and regulation is always best” and property owners should be given “reasonable liberty” to use the land as they see fit, Washburn’s website said.
The Macon native has worked in real estate for over 45 years and founded Washburn & Associates, a real estate and brokerage firm; as well as The Dale Washburn School of Real Estate.
Washburn does not support abortion, and believes citizens should have the right to own guns to “protect life, person and property,” his website said.
Anita Hyland (D)
Hyland told The Telegraph she decided to run because she didn’t like how the country was run during President Donald Trump’s time in office.
“I can’t (yet) do anything other than vote on the national level but taking the opportunity to replace a Trump-supporting Republican at the state level was imperative,” Hyland said.
Hyland said her priorities are women’s health care, education and medicare coverage for everyone.
She’s a small business owner and said she knows how to listen to citizens the way she listens to customers and provide what they need.
“I’ve been married to the same man for 44 years. I know how to communicate and compromise,” Hyland said. “I live on a small farm. I know how to work. I have children and grandchildren. I know how to care.”
District 145
Noah Redding Harbuck (R)
Christianity and family roots in Middle Georgia public service inspired Harbuck to run for office, he said.
“I know what’s important to the citizens of this district because I’m one of you,” Harbuck said. “I know the people in Bibb and Monroe counties because I work and worship beside them. We serve together and get things done.”
Harbuck’s top priorities involve strengthening the economy, schools and safety – issues he said can “truly impact our communities here at home.”
The father of two boys said he would vie for education where “parent voices and choices are honored and schools are fully funded to attract and retain great teachers.”
He would also fight to lower taxes and support law enforcement, he said.
Harbuck grew up in Monroe County, lived in Bibb County while working for Mercer University athletics, then moved back to Forsyth to raise his children.
Tangie Herring (D)
With around 30 years of experience as a public school teacher and a family in law enforcement, Tangie Herring said she has a passion for serving others through education, public safety and economic development.
Herring has been awarded Teacher of the Year, and was endorsed by the Georgia Association of Educators. In addition to expanding opportunities in schools, she also plans to prioritize vocational training and workforce development programs.
To improve quality education and retain teachers, Herring would advocate to “improve teacher pay, reduce red tape, cut unnecessary testing … creating safe, well-managed classrooms with smaller class sizes.”
To drive economic growth, she would support efforts to reduce property taxes and attract new businesses in District 145. A strong economy can be uplifted by community safety, Herring said.
“You can count on me to fully fund law enforcement and public safety including state-of-the-art training, advanced technology for our officers, investment-proven violence prevention programs and increased funding for mental health services,” Herring told The Telegraph.
District 149
Ken Vance (R)
Vance, the incumbent reflected on his childhood when he lived on a farm in Turner County then moved to a house in Tifton without running water or an indoor toilet.
“I was taught to be neat even in worn out hand-me-down clothes…,” Vance told The Telegraph. “I was raised in the Baptist church and was taught that you trust in the good lord, work hard, study hard, take care of children, the elderly, the disabled and family.”
In Vance’s second term, if elected, he plans to cut down the cost of living for elderly people, enforce rent caps and assist young families. Vance also hopes to bolster public safety, agriculture and health care in District 149.
As a state representative, he was named vice chair of State Properties at the Capitol. He previously served for 28 years as the longest consecutive member on the Milledgeville City Council. He was also the executive director of Peace Officers Standards and Training Council for over 12 years.
Floyd Griffin (D)
Griffin was drawn to run for office to protect reproductive rights and support working families, like his parents, he said.
Griffin’s family owned several businesses including a beauty salon, grocery store, dry cleaner and mortuary. His father also owned a firewood delivery company that assisted Black families in Middle Georgia, and prioritized good credit and integrity.
“I envision a district where women have equal access to opportunities, including leadership roles in business and government, and where reproductive rights are fully protected,” Griffin said. “We can build a brighter future for all residents, ensuring that everyone, regardless of gender, has the opportunity to succeed.”
Griffin’s short term goals include improving health care, enhancing education and public safety. His long term vision is to create a sustainable, equitable environment by investing in renewable energy and small businesses.
If elected, Griffin said he will fight for the expansion of voting rights to combat voter suppression “by advocating for measures that simplify the voting process, such as automatic voter registration and extended early voting periods.”
This story was originally published October 11, 2024 at 5:00 AM.