Elections 2020: Meet Georgia Rep. 25th District Candidates

CUMMING, GA — In addition to voting for president and vice president of the United States in the Nov. 3 general election, voters in Forsyth County, will choose other candidates to represent them, including the seat for Georgia Representative 25th District.

Incumbent Todd Jones will be running against Christa Olenczak to represent the 25th District, which encompasses portions of Cumming.

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

Christa Olenczak

Age (as of Election Day)

43

Party Affiliation

Democratic

Family

Husband Kris, son Caden is a junior in high school

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

Bachelors Degree in Business Management

Occupation

Project Manager, over 2 decades of experience

Campaign website

www.christa4georgia.com

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

Due to the economic impacts of COVID and previous state income tax cuts this year our budget was cut drastically, including almost a billion dollars in tax cuts to education. Next year we are projected to have deficits again. We cannot continue to defund education and cut services and programs that are needed by Georgians without looking for new revenue opportunities for the state, like increasing the tobacco tax and new economic opportunities. I will work to find these opportunities so we can continue to fund our public education and other programs our neighbors depend on.

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?

I support Black Lives Matter and the movement for equality and racial justice. I 100% support peaceful protest as afforded to us by our first amendment rights and I participated in our Black Lives Matter demonstration here in front of the Cumming courthouse. We need legislation to ensure equal justice for all the people of Georgia including repealing Citizen's Arrests Laws and stand your ground laws, and reforming "Stand Your Ground" Laws. We also need education and communication about our history so we can learn from our past and work together for an equal and just future.

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

We need reform and reallocation of funds to support improvement in our communities and provide appropriate health and safety resources where policing is not needed. For example - having counselors available to help people who are experiencing a mental health crisis. Instead of policing homeless people - helping people find help, housing, and jobs. Instead of policing schools, allocate the funding to resources like recreation centers to provide the support to our children. If we fund programs and provide training and resources to help improve the communities we will reduce the need for more policing. This also allows the police to focus on what they were trained for - like solving crimes and handling violent situations.

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?

Our state and national leadership have failed us in response to COVID. We have not listened to scientists and have not taken the proper measures to help stop the spread and save lives. Our governor worked against local governments by preventing them from implementing a mask mandate to protect the people. Moving into the flu season we need to start implementing measures to slow down the spread, including a mask mandate and limited indoor gatherings.

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

I am a first time candidate running to create a better future for our children and all Georgians. I am not a politician and will put the people of our district first - before politics or special interests.

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

Our district has grown and become more diverse, and we need leadership that represents our values and puts the needs of the people first. My opponent voted for the Medicaid Waivers which will cost more money to cover thousands fewer people than expanding Medicaid for Georgians. He also voted against the Hate Crimes bill and increased penalties for Bias-Motivated crimes. These votes are just a couple of examples where the health and safety of our neighbors and community were not put first.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

I am running for our children, for our families, and neighbors. In addition to a fully funded quality public education, access to affordable healthcare, and equal justice - one of the foundations of my campaign is to leave a healthy planet with clean air and water for future generations. Georgia can lead the south in planning and responding to climate change by moving to a green energy which not only helps the environment but jobs and our economy as well.

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

I am a mother and have over 2 decades of experience leading teams and managing projects. I completed my college degree while working a full time job and have balanced being a mother, working full time, and running for office for the past year.
I have learned to balance multiple priorities and accomplish multiple goals at the same time. My work as a leader and project manager has given me experience bringing people and teams together to achieve common goals - a skill that will help me work across the aisle to get the job done. Being a mother gives me the insight to look at legislation and craft solutions through the lens of our children - being able to see how what we are doing today will affect our children and our future.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?

There are many things I plan to do - but our environment is the foundation of our children’s future. We need to make sure our children are prepared for a future with the environmental and economic impacts of Climate Change. This would include ensuring our children and the public are educated about climate change science and how this impacts Georgia, include more incentive for electric vehicles and a home solar power plan, and include moving Georgia forward to leading the south with a Green Energy plan.

Why should voters trust you?

I will be honest and open with you and with other elected officials. I do not believe in operating behind closed doors and believe in full transparency and communication. I will also work for you and the people of our district first - before special interests.

Additionally, I believe a bit of humility will help us achieve more - it opens the door to listening, discussion, and compromise.

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

Government needs to spend our taxpayer money wisely. We need to be fiscally responsible - which the Medicaid Waivers are not. We also need to ensure our taxpayers money stays in our public schools, and is not given to private or for-profit institutions. And we need to look for new opportunities for revenue for our state.

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:

Do what you love, and the rest will follow.

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

I am passionate about our children and their future. I believe in Georgia and know that we can accomplish what Georgians need when we work together instead of against each other. We need more unity, less division, and I will fight for policies that put you, all Georgians, our children, and their future first.

* Todd Jones did not reply to Patch's email with the questionnaire.