Stephanie Wright (right)
On President’s Day, two Indivisible groups came together to host a non-partisan candidate forum for the all candidates running in the GA-7th district. Eight candidates have announced an intention to run – two Republicans – Incumbent Rob Woodall, and Shane Hazel; and 6 Democrats – Kathleen Allen, Carolyn Bourdeaux, Melissa Davis, David Kim, Ethan Pham and Steve Reilly. Only the incumbent declined to participate.
The forum took place at the Red Clay Music Foundry in Duluth and was moderated by Dr. Linda Mancillas of Georgia Gwinnett College. The candidates were given a series of seven questions on a broad range of topics and each had to an opportunity to respond. Among the questions asked were:
“Do you believe in the concept of public education? If so, how do we ensure that ALL children in Georgia have the tools they need to stay competitive and make a livable wage in our increasingly tech-driven economy?”
“We have, by far, the highest incarceration rates of any developed nation and our people of color are especially impacted. What will you do in Congress to address mass incarceration?”
Stephanie Wright, coordinator for one of the Indivisible groups, “Find Your Voice: Duluth,” is a graduate of Parent Leadership Institute and managed coordination of the event.
“It was a team effort. Fortunately we had a little money to work with and we were able to use it to book a high visibility venue, like the Red Clay Music Foundry. We were able to sell out all 260 seats in just a couple of weeks, so it seems like there is a lot of interest who goes to Washington this November. I think Rob Woodall made a huge mistake not participating,”
Having candidates on the record with their positions this early, especially in light of the recent school shooting, may have a tremendous difference in who gets the support necessary to win in the primaries.
“What I have learned most from this experience and from coordinating Find Your Voice: Duluth is that candidates want to get in front of you. I was never politically active before but now I know you don’t have to be a huge donor to get a group of friends together and have a candidate come speak in your living room. If you want them to care about issues important to you, get in front of them. Ask the questions, tell them what you want them to know.”
Stephanie’s next Find Your Voice: Duluth project is a series of listening events. She hopes people of all political stripes will come together and be able to have some carefully moderated discussions on issues using some of the restorative justice circle concepts learned in PLI.
Until we all start talking to each other again, politicians and dubious media get to keep running the same false narrative that we have nothing in common and that nothing can be negotiated for resolved. We know this isn’t true. We talk to neighbors, we talk to relatives and we talk to co-workers and we usually have much more that unites us than what divides us. It is up to us to change that narrative.
The first listening session will be at Main Street Sandwich Shoppe in downtown Duluth, Monday, March 12 at 6:30 pm.
To rsvp, click here: https://www.facebook.com/events/578605922487903/
Stephanie’s reflection on her notable accomplishment, “So, yeah. I did a thing a few weeks ago, but it was Gwinnett SToPP that put me on a path to greater understanding and to acknowledging a sacred obligation to help because I can. And it was in Parent Leadership Institute that I received training in community organizing, so nothing I did, would have happened without this fearless organization that is leading the way for parents, students and citizens in Gwinnett County.”