ATLANTA — Today, the SPLC Action Fund endorsed two Georgia candidates in their upcoming November races for local office.
LaRhonda Patrick received an endorsement for her reelection campaign to serve another term as mayor of Warner Robins, Georgia. A native of the city and former city attorney, Patrick is the first Black female mayor in the history of Warner Robins. She focused her first term on revitalizing the city’s downtown and building Haven Hope House, the first city-run shelter for unhoused residents. If reelected, she plans to continue her first term’s work of creating economic opportunities for her constituents by supporting local entrepreneurship.
“Mayor Patrick understands what matters most to her constituents: being able to find good-paying jobs, having a stable place to call home and feeling proud of the community where they live,” said Madison Hollon, program manager of political campaigns, SPLC Action Fund. “In her first term, she laid the groundwork for creating a more secure future for all of the residents in Warner Robins, especially those that have been struggling financially. Allowing her to continue with the initiatives she has already set in place will guarantee that she has the ability to implement lasting change for the city.”
The SPLC Action Fund also endorsed Erica Pope in her race for Dacula City Council. A licensed social worker and human resources professional, Pope has also served as president of the Gwinnett Democratic Women and on the boards of several nonprofits based in the Atlanta metro area that support homeless youth, address the needs of new mothers and combat sexual abuse and human trafficking. Her work on maternal mental health led to an appointment to the Southeastern Maternal Health Community Implementation Regional Advisory Board.
If elected, Pope would be the first Black woman on the Dacula City Council. Her campaign is centered around providing accessible and transparent communication to constituents, encouraging strong community engagement and well-being, and powering economic growth in Dacula by supporting small business.
“Erica Pope is a shining example of the tenacious spirit that it takes to fight for political representation, especially as a Black woman in the South,” said Hollon. “She has refused to let the setbacks from her first election deter her from running again, and has committed to increasing transparency in the voting process to make certain that people of color have a fair chance to have their voices heard in the electoral process. The SPLC Action Fund believes that she will be the right leader to bring smart and sustainable development to the city and to ensure the Dacula City Council is more connected and accountable to all of the residents that they serve.”
Georgia’s elections are scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 4. Find more information about how to vote in Georgia.
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About the SPLC Action Fund
SPLC Action Fund is a catalyst for racial justice in the South and beyond, working in partnership with communities to dismantle white supremacy, strengthen intersectional movements and advance the human rights of all people. For more information, visit www.splcactionfund.org.