GA State Senate 17 Debate Conservative Democrat Dr. Nelva Lee. Republican Rick Jeffares was a No-Show

Democratic Candidates who can WIN in November

63 Democrats in the House, 22 Democrats in the State Senate. That's it! About half of the legislative seats are unopposed this year in the state house & more than that in the State Senate.

Now its time to separate the contenders from the pretenders as far as democrats who can WIN in November:

1, Quentin T. Howell (D-Hardwick). Howell is trying for a second time to unseat Independent Rusty Kidd for HD 145, which covers Baldwin & southern Putnam County. Howell has been campaigning for this seat for well over a year, and has been building support since his 2010 loss. Howell, a Blue Dog Democrat is a businessman/entrepreneur, radio talk show host & veteran of the Navy. He has worked throughout the community in Milledgeville on numerous issues that affected the citizens.  Howell is by far the strongest candidate running as a democrat this year. 

2. Jana Hill (D-Clayton) Hill is making her first run for office against Republican Stephen Allison. Hill, a former educator is a strong advocate for public schools and economic development. Hill serves on the Boards of the Rabun Chamber of Commerce and Community Pantry and is a founding member of the Old School Community Garden. Recently, she was elected as a 2012 Georgia Delegate to the Democratic National Convention and she works with the Development Authority of Rabun County.

3. Renita Hamilton (D-Lawrenceville). This seat is definitely one democrats can win. Hamilton who ran for Lawrenceville City County in 2011 is taking on Joyce Chandler for HD 105. Hamilton, a pro-business, pro-family democrat has the vision, integrity, and real-life experience necessary to bring family-sustaining jobs and a healthier economic prosperity back to the district.  As the owner of a small business, she understands the difficulty of sustaining a viable small business & also understand the problems of entrepreneurs, investors and developers. 

4. Kevin T. Brown (D-Buena Vista) Brown is challenging Mike Cheokas who changed parties & now running as a republican this election cycle. Brown is a former U.S. Army Veteran, Director of the Marion County Family Connection & member of numerous boards thoughout the West Central Georgia Area. HD 138 is one of the few seat that democrats can flip to blue. It consist of Chattahoochee, Marion, Schley & Sumter County.

5. Dr Nelva Lee (D-McDonough) Lee, a native of Panama, moved to the US due to the Noriega Dictatorship.  Lee, a Conservative Democrat is the President and Founder of the MiTio Institute and the MiTio Foundation. The MiTio Institute is an Online Medical Interpreting and Translating Diploma Training Program. She has also served as a Mental Health Coordinator for the Department of Health and as Director of Patient Advocacy for the Grady Health System. And Chair of the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters. Lee main focus in her run for the State Senate is bringing attention on making the Small business industry in her district as robust and viable as possible and expand hiring incentives to make them S.T.E.M. (Science Technology Engineering Math) industry specific, among other things in her platform.

6. Mary Ann Whipple-Lue (D-Gordon) Lue is taking on James Epps of Dry Branch for HD 144 which now includes NW Laurens County & Bleckley County with Wilkinson, Twiggs & east Bibb County & Eastern Jones Co. Lue a former member of the Wilkinson County BOE is running on bringing more Industry to HD 144.  And being heavily involved in education, wants to fix Georgia's struggling Public Schools. Lue hails from the same hometown as did late State Rep. Ken Birdsong.

Dr Nelva Lee: Businessowner, Professor, & State Senator?

She's Businessowner, Philathropist, & a Professor. Nelva Lee, a Conservative Democrat from McDonough is entering the political arena for the first time in her adult life, challenging Republican Rick Jeffares for State Senate District 17.

Lee was born in Colon, Panama, moved to New York at the age of 14, then Seattle, Minnesota, Hawaii & finally here in Georgia.

Lee is founder of the MITIO Institute which specializes in online medical intepreting & translating diploma program in addition Dr Lee is a associaie Professor of Health Sciences for various propriety universities & she has served in other capacities as well.

Dr Lee will face Ultra-Conservative Rick Jeffares for SD 17 which covers Henry, Newton & a portion of Rock County.

Lee is a strong candidate who can appeal across party, racial & cultural lines with her Pro-Life, Pro-Business, Pro-Gun Christian Background. With issues ranging from Illegal Immigration to Jobs & Education, Dr Lee would be a valuable asset to the State Senate, as well as the State of Georgia with her commonsense, down to earth professional approach instead of trying to grab headlines.

Support this up & coming democrat for the State Senate.

 Check out her website:  http://electdrlee.com/

8 Georgia Democrats to Watch during Primaries/General Election

(1) Nelva Lee (D-McDonough)

The Democrats couldn't have asked for a more stellar candidate in Dr. Nelva Lee as she attempt to unseat Republican Rick Jeffares for State Senate District Seat 17.

Dr. Nelva Lee is the President and Founder of the MiTio Institute and the MiTio Foundation. The MiTio Institute is an Online Medical Interpreting and Translating Diploma Training Program & comes for a strong military family, her mother served in the U.S. Army & husband is a Gulf War Veteran.

Lee, a Conservative Democrat represent the Hispanic, military, black, Christian, and female voter having lived in places from Hawaii to Seattle, now settling just outside the Metro Atlanta Area. Her background and experience in small business, healthcare, and education are top priorities for SD 17 constituents. She is a top tier candidate for the DPG. I will definitely keep my eye on this race!

(2) Kevin Brown (D-Buena Vista)

Marion County Commisisoner Kevin Brown will take on party switcher Mike Cheokas (R-Americus) for HD 139. Brown, 43 is a Bluedog Democrat hails from the same hometown as former Negro League great Josh Gibson who was called the Black Babe Ruth. Brown is a executive director & is a father of 6. Family Values is a big deal to Mr. Brown.

(3) Thomas Coogle II (D-Montezuma)

Businessman/Grocer Thomas Coogle is also a political newcomer, running for the seat being vacated by the retirement of Lynmore James. Coogle, 34 is a Pro-Business, Pro-Growth, Chamber of Commerce Conservative Democrat who championed Christian Values, Job Creation, Right to Bear Arms, protecting our senior citizens & creating a better environment for young people Coogle hails from Macon County & if victorious in July, it could send a message that Conservative Democrats aren't dead just yet!

(4) Darrell Black (D-Milledgeville)

Businessowner Darrell Black is back, this time running for Senate District 25 against Johnny Grant who has two republicans challenging him in the republican primary. Black ran in the special election back in  2007 but lost out to Rusty Kidd (I). Black is a moderate democrat who wants to improve the jib situation of SD 25.

(5) Dar'Shun Kendrick (D-Lithonia)

Incumbent Buisnessowner Dar'Shun Kendrick is beat back two democratic challengers for her HD 93 seat. Kendrick, a one term representative is one of the youngest members of the legislature. She is a former congressional intern, served as youth coordinator for the YDG & she was selected as one of Peanut Politics Hottest Democratic Women of Georgia. She owns her own business, Kendrick Law Practice & her constituent services are top notch. Send her back to the State House to continue fighting for bluecollar families in her district.

(6) Gene Mitchell (D-Douglas)

Mitchell is running for open State Senate seat left by Greg Goggins who retired before the end of the session. In 2004, according to his FB Page, Gene enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. His tour of service took Gene to over twenty countries across Africa, Asia, and South America. Gene was honorably discharged from the military in 2011. While on reserve status, Gene began attending Mercer University where he graduated with his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. I hope the senate leadership helps Mitchell in that race. He has the right makeup & background for that district. Keep a eye on that race.

(7) JC Cunningham (D-Valdosta)

Disabled Veteran JC Cunningham will take on Floor Leader Amy Carter, another party switcher from Valdosta for HD 175. Cunningham is running because he believe that it is time that the lawmakers of Georgia begin to reflect the spirit and pride of all Georgians. For the past several months he have been speaking and meeting with educators, farmers, small business owners, unemployed construction workers, seniors, and mothers throughout Valdosta, Hahira, Quitman, Dixie, Boston and Thomasville and I heard the same thing over and over. "Who in Atlanta is representing South Georgia"? "Does anyone feel our pain"? I give Cunningham a 50/50 shot at that seat...

(8) Bikram Mohanty (D-Valdosta)

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr Mohanty at the State Capitol during qualifying period. Mohanty has the tall order of unseating longtime democrat, now republican Tim Golden for SD 8. Dr Mohanty is a occupational therapist

As founder and CEO of Innovative Rehab Solutionshehave employed healthcare and rehab professionals from South Georgia and have been able to successfully maintain these positions without major government intervention or any major debt.  His main issue is creating Jobs for the South Ga Economy