Georgia residents in Senate District 21 head to the polls next week to vote in a Special Election for the seat, as a crowded field of candidates seek to replace Alpharetta Republican Sen. Brandon Beach who stepped down to serve as U.S. Treasurer in the Trump administration.
Seven candidates are vying for the Senate seat, including six Republicans. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, a likelihood given the size of the field, the top two vote getters in next week’s election will move to a September runoff. Democrats are hoping to flip a seat in the GOP super-majority chamber. With only one Democrat on the ballot and several Republicans, it is conceivable that a runoff will include a member of each party.
Lance Calvert, the owner of a Canton-based maintenance and repair business for retail and restaurants and a Republican, is running on a platform of eliminating Georgia’s state income tax, limiting property taxes, defending the 2nd Amendment, upholding pro-life values, and deporting criminal undocumented immigrants.
“I am sick & tired of career politicians,” Calvert said. “Our families are struggling. Taxes and the cost of living are increasing. Our teachers and schools are fighting to keep up. While our kids are paying the price. Politicians have a singular answer: Throw money at the problem and hope it goes away.”
Investment manager Jason Dickerson, a Republican from Cherokee County, is a political newcomer who describes himself as “not a typical politician.”
“I know how to work hard and get things done. I’m ready to fight to protect our conservative way of life,” Dickerson said.
Republican Stephanie Donegan is also a political outsider, and an entrepreneur and business strategist. She’s running to lower costs for Georgians by supporting fiscal policies that allow residents to keep more of their income if elected.
“As someone who is NOT a career politician, my focus is on the people and what you desire for the state and our district!” Donegan wrote on social media. “One of the complaints I’ve personally always had, and I’ve heard many others speak of is that no one asks what we want. When I decided to run, I decided that listening to you world be my focus.”
Cherokee County firefighter Brice Futch, also a Republican, is pushing to expand conservative policies, including nixing the state income tax in favor of a consumption tax on goods and services, and expand the Peach State’s school voucher program.
“I’m running for state Senate because we need a fighter under the Gold Dome,” Futch said in a campaign ad. “I’ve run towards danger before and I’m ready to take that fighting spirit to Atlanta for you.”
Steve West is the CEO of a metal fabrication company and previously served as a Republican member of the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners before stepping down from his position to run for the Georgia Senate.
“I’m running to be your voice under the Gold Dome and will only support policies that put Georgia and America First. No exceptions. No excuses!” West said.
Army and Air Force veteran Brian Will, a Republican, worked in both private and public finance analysis since leaving the military, and has written four best-selling books on business, finance, and negotiation, according to his campaign website.
Small business owner and former employment attorney, Debra Shigley, is running as the lone Democratic candidate.
“Together, we can make raising a family right here in our district more affordable, enact commonsense solutions to lower your costs, invest in our schools, and ensure everyone in our district feels safe and healthy,” Shigley’s campaign website reads. “Together, we can build a better future for our families.
Featured as a Spotlight Candidate, Shigley received backing from the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC), an organization that works to organize and fund legislative races, with the goal of flipping Republican-held seats to build stronger progressive majorities.
DLCC President Heather Williams said in a statement Tuesday that Shigley, who is a mother of five, is focused on making life easier for those in her community.
“As Republicans raise costs and rig maps across the country, voters have an opportunity to reject MAGA extremism through special elections next week in Iowa and Georgia,” Williams said. “The state legislative level is rich with special elections that can make a difference and push back on Republicans’ agenda that leaves working families behind.”
