Atlanta, Georgia—Today Americans for Prosperity Action (AFP Action) threw its support behind a second round of candidates running in the November 5 General Election in Georgia.
State Senators Greg Dolezal (SD-24), Ed Setzler (SD-37), and John Albers (SD-56), as well as Speaker Pro Temp Jan Jones and State Reps. Mike Cameron (HD-01), Jason Ridley (HD-06), Joseph Gullett (HD-19), Todd Jones (HD-25), Ginny Ehrhart (HD-36), John Carson (HD-46), Chuck Martin (HD-49), Josh Bonner (HD-73), Soo Hong (HD-103), David Jenkins (HD-136), Rey Martinez (HD-111), will have AFP Action’s backing in their general election races.
These lawmakers have earned AFP Action’s endorsement for their commitment to protecting Georgia’s taxpayers, lowering barriers to work and employment, expanding education freedom for Georgia’s students, and supporting reforms to healthcare policy that give Georgians a personal option in health care.
AFP Action Senior Advisor Tony West issued the following statement after announcing the endorsed candidates:
“Georgians have seen amazing progress this year as the legislature embraced transformative policies to advance education freedom, increase access to healthcare, and remove barriers to employment and entrepreneurship. These champions helped get good policy to the governor’s desk, but they aren’t going to stop there, or rest on their laurels. We have more work to do to make Georgia freer and more prosperous. We need them to stay in Atlanta and keep moving freedom forward in the Peach State.”
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Background
Senator Greg Dolezal (SD-24)
Sen. Dolezal was the prime sponsor for education freedom legislation (SB233) and regulatory reform (SB 429). His study committee on Certificate of Need reform also set the state for the passage of HB1339.
Senator Ed Setzler (SD-37)
Sen. Setzler is a strong proponent education freedom (SB 233) and certificate of need reform (HB1339). He also voted for occupational licensure reform (SB354) and Senate Bill 362 to protect workers’ rights.
Senator John Albers (SD-56)
Sen. Albers is a policy champion on economic issues and supports our priorities in education and healthcare. He is a key proponent of major regulatory legislation, including sponsoring Senate Bill 414 to protect personal privacy and Senate Bill 366 to make tax expenditures more transparent. He was also the sponsor of Senate Bill 429 to protect small businesses from harmful government regulations.
Speaker Pro Temp Jan Jones
As the House sponsor of Senate Bill 233, Speaker Pro Temp Jones was integral in building support in the House for transformative education policy. Big policy change requires top tier leadership, and Jones’ leadership on this bill contributed significantly to the bill’s eventual passage.
Rep. Mike Cameron (HD-01)
Rep. Cameron has been a policy champion across the board, voting in favor of lowering taxes, greater educational freedom for families, and reforming the state certificate of need healthcare regulation.
Rep. Jason Ridley (HD-06)
As a member of the Regulated Industries Committee, Rep. Ridley is skeptical of overburdensome occupational licensing. He co-sponsored the big tax cut bill in 2021 (HB 593). In 2024, he voted in favor of Senate Bill 354 to remove barriers for niche beauty services and House Bill 583 to expand the cottage food industry in our state.
Rep. Joseph Gullett (HD-19)
Rep. Gullett sponsored House Bill 575, the Right to Earn a Living Act, which would significantly improve the employment policy in our state. He also co-sponsored the 2022 House Bill 1, protecting speech on public university campuses.
Rep. Todd Jones (HD-25)
Rep. Jones is a huge supporter of education freedom, and was a leading voice in support of Senate Bill 233 in the House. During the 2024 legislative session he voted in favor of Senate Bill 354 to remove licensure barriers and House Bill 1339 to repeal Certificate of Need laws for new rural hospitals and birthing centers.
Rep. Ginny Ehrhart (HD-36)
Rep. Ehrhart sponsored Senate Bill 354, which reformed occupational licensure the beauty industry. As a subcommittee Chair in the Regulated Industries Committee, she is familiar with the challenges workers face dealing with state regulations. She also voted in support of Senate Bill 233 and HB 1339.
Rep. John Carson (HD-46)
Rep. Carson has consistently worked on increasing school choice in Georgia, steadfastly supporting expansions of the tax credit scholarship. He also voted in favor of reform related to occupational licensure reform and lowering taxes.
Rep. Chuck Martin (HD-49)
As a member of the House Regulated Industries Committee, Rep. Martin has developed an expertise and been a leading voice on the need for smart regulatory policy, including occupational licensure reform, like with his sponsorship of House Bill 155. Martin is also a taxpayer champion, consistently speaking for the taxpayer and being willing to question the wisdom of expensive tax expenditures that are awarded to specific businesses or industries at the expense of the average taxpayer.
Rep. Josh Bonner (HD-73)
Rep. Bonner was the sponsor of House Bill 1in 2022, ensuring free expression on public university campuses. During the 2024 legislative session he voted in favor of Senate Bill 354 to remove licensure barriers and House Bill 1339 to repeal Certificate of Need laws for new rural hospitals and birthing centers.
Rep. Soo Hong (HD-103)
Rep. Hong was the sponsor of House Bill 1015 to expedite the reduction in the personal income tax rate. She voted in favor of education freedom (Senate Bill 233) and Certificate of Need Reform (House Bill 1339).
Rep. Rey Martinez (HD-111)
Rep. Martinez was one of only three House members to speak out at a press conference calling on the House to re-consider Senate Bill 233, after it failed in the House in 2023. He also voted in favor of Senate Bill 354 to remove barriers to niche beauty services and House Bill 1339 to repeal Certificate of Need for new rural hospitals and birthing centers.
Rep. David Jenkins (HD-136)
Rep. Jenkins has been outspoken in his support of empowering people and limiting government. A prime example of that was his sponsorship of House Bill 212 to lower occupational licensure barriers. While this bill didn’t pass, his efforts in 2023 set the stage for a similar bill to earn final passage in 2024, Senate Bill 354.