Elections 2020: Meet U.S. Representative 6th District Candidates

ALPHARETTA/MILTON, GA — In addition to voting for president and vice president of the United States in the Nov. 3 general election, voters in North Fulton, will choose other candidates to represent them, including the seat for U.S. Representative 6th District.

Incumbent Lucy McBath will be running against Karen Handel to represent the 6th District, which encompasses Alpharetta, Roswell, Johns Creek, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, Brookhaven, and parts of Tucker and Marietta.

As part of its coverage of the 2020 election, Patch has invited the candidates in contested races to participate in our election profile series. We will continue to update the profiles with links to responses to our questionnaire.

Candidate

Karen Handel

Age (as of Election Day)

58

Party Affiliation

Republican

Family

Awesome husband Steve and two seriously spoiled pups Abbie & Sadie

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

Attended Prince George’s Community College and University of Maryland

Occupation

Business consultant

Campaign website

www.karenhandel.com

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Member of Congress, Secretary of State, Fulton County Commission Chairman

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is RESTORING OUR WAY OF LIFE, and this is what I intend to do about it.
The pandemic has devastated lives and livelihoods, and our way of life has been upended. We need a leader capable of addressing issues on parallel tracks -- defeating COVID-19, while also rebuilding the economy, fixing the gaps in healthcare, and other issues that matter to families in GA6. We must continue the aggressive efforts for a safe, effective vaccine, continue to make testing available, and strengthen our preparedness. To reignite our economy, I’ll keep taxes low by making the 2018 tax cuts for the middle class permanent and provide additional relief to help families make it through, get people back to work or prepared with new skills for a new career, and support our local businesses with tax certainty, liability relief, and access to capital. I will continue to fight for pre-existing condition protections and to lower health care costs with more choices – NOT government-run healthcare that eliminates private insurance. I will also fight against radical plans to defund the police and put Washington in control of local zoning decisions.

Do you support Black Lives Matter and what are your thoughts on the demonstrations held since the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake?

Americans were horrified by Mr. Floyd’s murder, and those involved must face the justice system. Every life matters, and this should be reflected in our communities, across the country, and in our laws and policies. These incidents reveal that we have more to do to ensure “justice for all,” despite the progress we’ve made. Peaceful demonstration and citizen dissent have been part of our country since our founding. However, justice cannot and will not be achieved through riots, looting, violence, vilifying our police officers, or movements with radical agendas like BLM and Defund the Police.

What are your thoughts on the campaign to "defund" the police?

I will always stand up for our men and women of law enforcement. The radical Defund the Police movement puts our neighborhoods and way of life at risk. We are seeing the results of this dangerous movement playing out in communities across the country, and even right here in Metro Atlanta. Our local police officers put their own safety on the line to protect lives and livelihoods every single day. Instead of demonizing law enforcement, we need to work with them to strengthen policing by lifting up law enforcement; creating more community connections; adding body cameras; conducting ongoing de-escalation training; and limiting the unions’ ability to shield truly bad officers. This requires more resources – not fewer.
My opponent will not condemn the looting and riots, and she refuses to denounce the Defund the Police movement. Further she has already voted to cut millions in federal funding for local police initiatives, and even marched alongside a protestor whose sign compared our local police to the KKK. In Congress, I’ll always have the backs of the blue … just as they have ours.

What are your thoughts on the state and national response to the coronavirus pandemic? Do you favor such measures as limiting operation of non-essential businesses or restricting indoor/outdoor dining? And do you favor a nationwide mask mandate?

This virus has proven to be a vicious, determined contagion, and it continues to take a tremendous toll on lives and livelihoods. An important part of leadership is weighing competing risks, and that’s what policymakers must do in the face of this crisis. COVID-19 obviously has significant health risks. At the same time, another economic shutdown will bring its own set of serious risks and devastation. We must keep people as safe and healthy as possible, while ensuring that our economy continues to rebound as we aggressively pursue a safe, effective vaccine. Each of us has an individual responsibility in all of this to social distance, wear a mask, wash your hands, stay home when sick, get a COVID-19 test if needed, and isolate if exposed or diagnosed. We will defeat this virus – together.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

GA6 voters now have records to compare. I’m a proven, capable leader who understands that being in Congress is about you, your family and your business. It’s not about advancing my mission – it’s about fighting for you. In Congress, I passed the largest tax cuts in decades that fueled the great economy that most of us have ever seen, along with legislation to fight the opioids crisis, keep our schools safe, increase funding for community health centers, strengthen our mental health system, give our military men and woman their biggest pay raise in decades, and improve the VA. I also led the way by co-sponsoring legislation to protect those with pre-existing conditions. Voters know me, and they know that I can be counted on to show up and work for them, because that’s what I have done. From decades in the private sector to leading our chamber of commerce to serving as County Commission Chairman, Secretary of State and in Congress, I have a proven record of solving problems – balancing budgets, fighting corruption, creating jobs – getting things done in tough, even divisive, circumstances. I’ve also earned the trust of GA6’s local elected leaders, because I have been their partner and advocate on federal issues. McBath is an absentee, single-issue representative at a time when we need a serious, proven leader with real experience to solve the many issues that matter to families and businesses here in GA6. Unlike my opponent, I live in this community and have for more than 30 years.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

My opponent misled the voters in 2018 about her views and who she is – and even about where she lived. She said she was part of our community, but last year, her homestead exemption was revoked (including for the year she was on the ballot), because she failed to meet the Georgia residency requirements. She has repeatedly broken her promises. She called for a “gun-free society” after saying she supported the 2nd Amendment. She said she would be a “moderate” who would work with President Trump; yet, she voted to impeach him seven times and has voted with Pelosi and AOC over 95% of the time. She refuses to condemn the violence and riots and won’t denounce the Defund the Police movement. She claims to support the police but, appallingly, marched a mile next to a sign that compared our local law enforcement to the KKK and has already voted to slash millions of dollars in federal police funding. She said she is against so-called “dark money” influence in campaigns, but her campaign is fueled by millions from such groups, even groups that are ardent “Defund the Police” supporters. She’s been a single-issue representative, absent and disengaged from our community.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

There are many issues affecting the people of GA6, and we must have a serious leader who knows how to work on parallel fronts to solve these problems, working with our local elected leaders and across party lines. My website – karenhandel.com – outlines my views and solutions for various issues. Here, however, I’d like to address health care, which will be a top priority for me. Affordable, quality health care, affordable insurance options, and affordable drug prices remain serious challenges for far too many families. Those with pre-existing conditions must be protected – under a specific law, like the one I co-sponsored in Congress. Private insurance must be protected. Under “Medicare for All,” private insurance would be ended. Families need more plan options – not fewer -- and we need to find a way to enable insurance plans to follow the individual – wherever they go, wherever they are employed. Health Savings Accounts and Health Reimbursement Accounts need be expanded further, including allowing for insurance premiums. And, we need to modernize the reimbursement system to accommodate new healthcare delivery methods like tele-medicine and concierge medicine. Further, in Congress, I will continue my work to strengthen our nation’s Community Health Centers, which provide vital care for our vulnerable population, and to ensure that the children’s health insurance plan is always adequately funded.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I am a proven, effective leader who understands that, being in public service is about serving the people each and every day. It’s about solving problems, making the tough decisions, and being present and engaged in our community and on behalf of the people of GA6. I have a track record of doing just that. In Congress, I passed tax cuts that fueled the greatest economy that most of us have ever seen, along with legislation to fight the opioids crisis, keep our schools safe, increase funding for community health centers, strengthen our mental health system, give our military men and woman their biggest pay raise in decades, and improve the VA. I also led the way by co-sponsoring legislation to protect those with pre-existing conditions. My constituent services operation was effective AND responsive – calls were answered, letters and emails were responded to, and constituents received the help they needed. As Fulton County Commission Chairman, I closed a $100 Million budget gap without raising taxes, delivered the county’s first true balanced budget, took on a corrupt sheriff, deftly managed contentious zonings and contract negotiations with cities – and did so by securing critical votes from my Democrat colleagues. As Secretary of State, I effectively administered the 2008 Presidential election, implemented photo ID, and cut spending by nearly 20%.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?Passing and signing into law legislation that, once and for all, protects those with pre-existing conditions

Why should voters trust you?

The voters know me – because they’ve seen my leadership on their behalf -- as a chamber CEO, Fulton Commission Chairman, Secretary of State and in Congress. The voters know that I will work for them on the issues that matter most to them, because that’s what I have always done. And, I show up – for the candidate forums; for the parades, Memorial Day, Veterans Day; and other community events, and for the tough questions. I’ve never tried to be someone I’m not nor do I make false promises just to get a vote. I’m present, engaged, and accessible in our community – when it’s election time and when it is not.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the use of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

To tackle the debt, we need a strong economy. Our only path toward balanced budgets includes pro-growth policies and less spending — not tax hikes and increased regulation that will stifle job creation and hinder our economic recovery. For now, Congress must prioritize defeating COVID-19, while getting our economy back on its feet and helping Americans safely return to work. I have a proven record of balancing budgets during tough times by applying conservative principles. I erased a shortfall without raising taxes as Fulton Commission Chairman and cut spending in the Secretary of State’s office by nearly 20 percent during the Great Recession. In Congress, I was selected to serve on a debt reduction task force because of my experience. When the good times return — and they will – tough spending decisions will be required. I am the only candidate in this race who has the experience to address this issue.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

NO

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Be authentic and genuine about who I am and what I believe.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I’m the only candidate in this race who can seriously address district-specific ways to rebuild our economy, protect our neighborhoods and preserve access to private health insurance and coverage for those with pre-existing conditions.

*Lucy McBath did not reply to Patch's email with the questionaire.