Georgia Senate candidates weigh in at forum

WARNER ROBINS -- The six candidates vying for the vacant District 20 seat in the Georgia Senate spoke to voters at a forum Tuesday.

Education was a major focus of the forum, held on the Warner Robins campus of Middle Georgia State University. Candidate Brooks Keisler took the discussion in that direction when asked which committees he'd like to serve on if elected to fill the seat vacated after the retirement of Sen. Ross Tolleson, R-Perry, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

"I believe that our state is struggling right now with how we educate our children," said Keisler, who lives in Bonaire and serves as vice president of an education software company.

All the candidates expressed a displeasure with Common Core standards in schools. Candidate Larry Walker III said the idea of common standards would be beneficial to the Houston County community's transient military families, but he noted that current trends in education seemed to put too much power over education at the federal and state levels.

"I have more confidence in the local folks to do a better job, and I want to restore local control to them," he said.

Candidates took differing stances on the issue of raising the high school dropout age to 17. Keisler said holding students in school who had no desire to be there could hurt the educational process of those that do.

On the other side, Perry business owner Mike Reece said that even at 17, a student's brain hasn't developed enough to be entrusted with a decision that could have such an impact on gainful employment.

"He's got a long way to go to become a man," Reece said of a hypothetical student.

The candidates were unanimous in calling for a ban on video gambling machines in convenience stores, citing mainly the amount spent on machines by people from low-income situations.

"I've seen what it has done in some homes," said candidate Vivian Childs, a Warner Robins youth minister.

Most candidates expressed a similar stance on casinos, citing issues of crime and corruption. While Keisler acknowledged those risks, he wouldn't rule out casinos as a possibility for the state.

"It has the potential to be a large revenue stream," he said.

All the candidates expressed at least a measure of support for any potential religious freedom legislation as Christians, but candidate Jon Martin had personal experience on the matter. A Laurens County commissioner, Martin pointed to threats of lawsuits against West Laurens High School for prayer before football games and the playing of "Amazing Grace."

"I can tell you that we as Christians are being attacked every day," he said.

The discussion of entrepreneurship, particularly as it relates to efforts to regulate craft beer companies and transportation endeavors like Uber, drew some disagreement.

Reece said that he had positive experiences with Uber as a cheaper alternative to taxis, and he didn't want to add to drivers' costs by requiring higher insurance coverage. Walker, who owns an insurance agency, said that certain businesses need to be regulated, both to promote a level playing field and passenger well-being.

"I just think that's irresponsible," Walker said of allowing Uber drivers to have state-minimum coverage. "I think they need to carry much higher limits than that to protect the consumer."

In the instance of current distribution rules in place for small breweries, Kathleen businessman James Pettis said the system had been set up to protect larger companies and politicians supported by them.

"Politicians are the people who have won this," he said. "It's a legislative monopoly."

All six Republican candidates vowed to resist such "arm twisting," if elected. Childs said she would put the people in District 20, with voters in Houston, Pulaski, Bleckley and Laurens counties, ahead of any special interest groups or party leaders.

"I'm willing to stand, even if I stand alone," she said.

Voting for the special election will take place Dec. 1, with early voting set to end Nov. 25.

To contact writer Jeremy Timmerman, call 744-4331 or find him on Twitter@MTJTimm.

This story was originally published November 17, 2015 at 9:03 PM with the headline "Georgia Senate candidates weigh in at forum ."