VOTER GUIDE
CANDIDATES FOR STATE HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE HD 43 SHARON COOPER (R)
LUISA WAKEMAN (D)
sharoncooper.org
www.electluisa.com
CITY, STATE BORN: Houston, TX
AGE: 54
EDUCATION: BSN and MSN in Nursing from the Medical College of Georgia; MS in Child Development from the University of Tennessee; and MA in Education from the University of South Florida
CITY, STATE BORN: Sabadell, Spain EDUCATION: BA Economics U. Texas Austin, BS Nursing Kennesaw State University OCCUPATION: Flight Attendant, Registered Nurse
OCCUPATION: RN, Former Nursing Professor, Author and Small Business Owner
FAMILY: Husband Jon, kids Amaya & Lucas HOBBIES: gardening, cooking, travel
FAMILY: Widow, (James T. Cooper, MD, MPH)
CLUBS/ORGANIZATIONS YOU BELONG TO: Cobb Democratic Women, Sierra Club
HOBBIES: Reading, Visiting our North GA Mountains and US National Parks, Walking
HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN EAST COBB/COBB COUNTY? 25+ years
CLUBS/ORGANIZATIONS YOU BELONG TO: East Cobb Business Assoc., Historic Oakland Foundation, Georgia Museum of Arts
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ELECTED TO A PUBLIC OFFICE? IF YES, PLEASE LIST OFFICE AND YEAR(S): No
HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN EAST COBB/COBB COUNTY? 40 years
PLEASE DESCRIBE THIS OFFICE’S DUTIES & ITS IMPACT ON EAST COBB: Representing our District at the State Capitol to me is about putting people over politics, prioritizing our public schools and making sure that our community is protected by inclusive laws.
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ELECTED TO A PUBLIC OFFICE? IF YES, PLEASE LIST OFFICE AND YEAR(S): Yes, State Representative; 1997 PLEASE DESCRIBE THIS OFFICE’S DUTIES & ITS IMPACT ON EAST COBB: Our States Constitution mandates only one job for members of The General Assembly. Starting on the 2nd Monday in January each year, members must meet and pass a balanced State budget for the coming Fiscal year which begins on July 1. However, the major part of the job and the most personally rewarding in my opinion, is helping constituents solve problems they have on the State level. Legislators are not responsible for running any department of government, ie, transportation, public safety, natural resources, public health etc. State departments are run by Commissioners appointed and under the direction of the Governor. PLEASE DESCRIBE THE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE THAT QUALIFY YOU FOR THIS OFFICE: Each legislator brings their life and professional experiences plus their political philosophy to the Capital. However, there is no college degree or course that prepares one for how the actual legislative process works. Passing legislation is difficult, and often success or failure is not based on the actual legislation, but factors such as timing, costs, the House leaderships or Governors agenda, or even one’s party affiliation. My experience, status as a Chairman, and ability to work across the aisle and with groups with opposing ideas has allowed me to be very effective in finding legislative solutions. WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE FACING YOUR POLITICAL OFFICE, AND, IF ELECTED, WHAT WILL YOU DO ABOUT IT: Because of COVID-19, next sessions legislators will most likely still face reduced state revenues and critical budget decisions. At the same time, finding ways to get our citizens back to work in a safe manner so they can support their families and our young people safely back in school. This pandemic has not only taken a huge toll on the families who have lost loved ones but isolation has increased divorces, domestic violence, suicide rate,s and alcohol abuse, all conditions that will increase the need for state support services.
PLEASE DESCRIBE THE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE THAT QUALIFY YOU FOR THIS OFFICE. As a nurse, I’ve seen the shortcomings of our healthcare system (ranked 46th nationally) first hand, where we can improve. As someone who got into nursing as a second job to help my family through the Great Recession, I know what it is to endure through a hard time like so many are right now. And as a proud parent of two graduates of Cobb public schools, I know how important it is that we invest in education, and in a stronger HOPE scholarship. East Cobb is home of 25+ years, and I have the knowhow to make it even stronger. WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE FACING YOUR POLITICAL OFFICE, AND, IF ELECTED, WHAT WILL YOU DO ABOUT IT? I’m a registered nurse running against the chair of the committee that oversees Georgia’s healthcare system. This race comes down to healthcare and whether you want the status quo or something different. The status quo is a state that ranks 46th in overall quality, and last in the number of women dying in childbirth. It’s a Georgia that passes draconian abortion bills and refuses to expand Medicaid or curb the power of drug and insurance companies. It’s getting the COVID-19 response all wrong. I think we can do better. WHO DO YOU ADMIRE MOST, AND WHY? I admire the example of my Grandparents - members of the Dutch Resistance during World War II. Full of great courage and empathy, they risked their own lives to save those of complete strangers. I do my best to model myself after their legacy. PLEASE LIST THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE YOU AS A PERSON: Hardworking, Sincere, Dedicated
WHO DO YOU ADMIRE MOST, AND WHY? It used to be President Teddy Roosevelt because of his determination to overcome childhood illnesses to being a devoted outdoors environmentalist and a devoted enemy of government corruption. However, during this pandemic, I’ve been reading a great deal about Winston Churchill and his leadership of the English people during WWII. His positive encouragement that they would win despite all odds has mirrored my own belief in our people’s abilities to weather the tribulations brought on by COVID-19, our scientific institutions to find safe preventive measure in record time, and for our country to recover and go forward in a positive manner. PLEASE LIST THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE YOU AS A PERSON: Compassionate, Determined, Successful
www.eastcobber.com
Election 2020
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